Shed Base

[mikester]

Finally replacing our 8x12 shed that was purchased back in 1982.
Got a pretty good price on a 10x14 shed with vinyl siding and two fiberglass 3.0 doors. The lead time for the new one is 4-5 weeks. The old one is being removed tomorrow afternoon. I'd like to put framed out stone base under the new one.
After looking at a few videos online my plan was to use 4x6 ACQ for the frame and 3/4 bluestone for the base. Drill some holes and hammer in pieces or rebar to keep everything in place.
With my neck and knees being in such bad shape I asked the shed guy if he had anyone that could do the job. The guy he sent said 4x6s wouldnt work. He would only use 6x6s. He also said using the rebar would be a waste because the frost would pop them up during the winter. No on the bluestone. He would only use RCA. Not exactly what I expected to hear. Ive been told that the RCA would eventually get solid and wouldnt allow for drainage. The guy quoted me $1600 for doing the work.
What do you guys think ?

 

[eegger]

I have a 12x16 garden shed, it looks like it's on 8x8 skids, sits on a blue stone base, probably about 3/4 to 2in rock. It doesn't move with winters.

Skid foundation on rock it all it is. works just fine.


This site looks interesting www.siteprep.com

 

[Wolley]

What's under the old shed? I would let them place the new shed then dig around the border and fill with the stone you want and a border like you said. No need to fill under the entire thing imo.

 

[mikester]

What's under the old shed? I would let them place the new shed then dig around the border and fill with the stone you want and a border like you said. No need to fill under the entire thing imo.

Grounds pretty uneven. I want the wood border to make it easier to trim the grass around the shed. Especially since its going to be vinyl sided. The old sheds corner boards have been clipped a few times by my son when he mows the property. Plus its been sinking a bit since its only on patio blocks. Pretty lopsided these days.

 

[billconner]

I like the idea of a gravel pad - maybe a foot bigger than she'd all around, and shed sitting on pt beans - 8x8 like eegger did.

 

[MerlinsBeard]

I really like compacted 3/4 washed gravel. Gives you a little drainage underneath the shed. May want to install gutters and downspout to move water away from the shed downslope, or buried PVC drainage to move water away from base if it makes sense to do so.

I went all in on a concrete slab when I did my 10x16' and I have no regrets. Amish shed was delivered and anchor bolted to the slab. The slab is the floor, as I've seen too many other flooring issues that start to creep in after a few years.

 

[Bretny]

Why bother with a stone base? Use the lumber you where going to use to keep the stone in as blocking to keep the structural runners of the shed off the ground.

Just because it's up on gravel doesn't mean it will stay that way or be dry.

 

[mikester]

I really like compacted 3/4 washed gravel. Gives you a little drainage underneath the shed. May want to install gutters and downspout to move water away from the shed downslope, or buried PVC drainage to move water away from base if it makes sense to do so.

I went all in on a concrete slab when I did my 10x16' and I have no regrets. Amish shed was delivered and anchor bolted to the slab. The slab is the floor, as I've seen too many other flooring issues that start to creep in after a few years.

Having the shed on a slab is great. Downside is in my area that wouldnt fly with the building codes. Same with the size. 10x14 is the largest shed before you need a permit. Anything larger needs sonotubes to support it and it has to be fastened to the cement. It ***** here.

 

[yeldogt]

I have poured pads for sheds in the past and IMO they are better up on blocks/ bricks -- siting over bare ground or stones if you want pretty. Most have PT based frame floors w/ some type of PT skids (4x4's) -- they rot if on the ground w/o any ventilation.

I learned the hard way ...

 

[njk4o5]

I plan on making my shed on a 6x6 PT skid sitting on 1-1/2" crushed stone. I plan to do 6" or so of crushed stone whatever a dump truck load gets me for a 12x16 shed. The crushed stone will let water go into the ground instead of pooling up and keeping it wet all the time. But an even better route is what merlin said, do crushed stone base and some gutters/ drain piping to get water away from the base.

 

[mikester]

I have poured pads for sheds in the past and IMO they are better up on blocks/ bricks -- siting over bare ground or stones if you want pretty. Most have PT based frame floors w/ some type of PT skids (4x4's) -- they rot if on the ground w/o any ventilation.

I learned the hard way ...

The shed Im buying has ACQ 2x4 joists 12 OC running front to back and 5 ACQ 4x4s going side to side. Open on the ends for ventilation.
The guy just pulled the old shed out not even an hour ago. Pretty much same construction. The joists were still in good shape along with the 4x4s. The floor was pretty soft though and about 10 years ago I recovered the whole floor with 1/2" CDX due to a hole starting. This shed was bought in 1982. Im thinking the new one be be here much longer than I will.

 

[yeldogt]

The shed Im buying has ACQ 2x4 joists 12 OC running front to back and 5 ACQ 4x4s going side to side. Open on the ends for ventilation.
The guy just pulled the old shed out not even an hour ago. Pretty much same construction. The joists were still in good shape along with the 4x4s. The floor was pretty soft though and about 10 years ago I recovered the whole floor with 1/2" CDX due to a hole starting. This shed was bought in 1982. Im thinking the new one be be here much longer than I will.

I found the slabs just held more water/ junk and did nothing for the shed. Just the reverse of what I thought would happen.

Putting it up on a block and getting more air under is the key ..... I can assure you that the new shed will not last as long as the old -- the PT back when the old was made held up. Not the new stuff .... this includes the PT plywood

 

[Jeffh40]

I had a 12x20 shed delivered last year. I rented a bobcat for an afternoon, dug down 8" and put 4" of 304 limestone down as a base. Then I had the shed set down in the hole that was still recessed 4". Backfilled the high sides with more grave. My door is just 2" or so above grade and any water drains through the rock out to the low side of the grade. Looks and works great, but did take a little effort.

 

[finn]

How do you keep rodents from burrowing under a shed on skids?

Chipmunks have a multigenerational home under my shed on 6”x6” skids. The odor inside the shed becomes disgusting this time of year.

I am planning on constructing a shed / pumphouse at the shop next spring. I am leaning towards a slab just to keep the rodents out.

 

[njk4o5]

How do you keep rodents from burrowing under a shed on skids?

Chipmunks have a multigenerational home under my shed on 6”x6” skids. The odor inside the shed becomes disgusting this time of year.

I am planning on constructing a shed / pumphouse at the shop next spring. I am leaning towards a slab just to keep the rodents out.

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in the past ive used this about 8" down and a 12" off the side of my garage in an "L" shape. Once they hit the wire mesh they give up. I did see quite a few signs of rodents trying though

 

[MerlinsBeard]

How do you keep rodents from burrowing under a shed on skids?

Chipmunks have a multigenerational home under my shed on 6”x6” skids. The odor inside the shed becomes disgusting this time of year.

I am planning on constructing a shed / pumphouse at the shop next spring. I am leaning towards a slab just to keep the rodents out.

I went 6-8" of 3/4" compacted gravel with 4" slab on top. I have seen two failed attempts from rabbits this year, feels good. It's extra landscaping work (I had to haul a lot of excess gravel around the shed after it was placed to allow the grass to grow green around it), but for me it's worth it.

 

[mikester]

How do you keep rodents from burrowing under a shed on skids?

Chipmunks have a multigenerational home under my shed on 6”x6” skids. The odor inside the shed becomes disgusting this time of year.

I am planning on constructing a shed / pumphouse at the shop next spring. I am leaning towards a slab just to keep the rodents out.

Im hoping the 3/4 stone will keep them from burrowing but I was planning on putting mesh under the stone and running mesh on the edge of the 4x4 runners besides. My wife was pissed when I was planning on making the woodchuck "disappear" so I had to trap it. Last one got a headshot with a .22 short.

 

[jrsavoie]

I really like compacted 3/4 washed gravel. Gives you a little drainage underneath the shed. May want to install gutters and downspout to move water away from the shed downslope, or buried PVC drainage to move water away from base if it makes sense to do so.

I went all in on a concrete slab when I did my 10x16' and I have no regrets. Amish shed was delivered and anchor bolted to the slab. The slab is the floor, as I've seen too many other flooring issues that start to creep in after a few years.

Concrete slab here = building permit and property tax increases

 

[jrsavoie]

Im hoping the 3/4 stone will keep them from burrowing but I was planning on putting mesh under the stone and running mesh on the edge of the 4x4 runners besides. My wife was pissed when I was planning on making the woodchuck "disappear" so I had to trap it. Last one got a headshot with a .22 short.

They're good eating. Just little herbivores. Kind of like a mini beef

 

[MerlinsBeard]

Concrete slab here = building permit and property tax increases

No building permit required in my neck of the woods unless over 600 sq ft. Have to wait and see about property taxes.