Storage shed issues

[Ranger1227]

I am need of some crative thinking. Last year, I built a DIY storage shed for my back yard. My landscaper created a pea gravel pad. He built a frame of
2x4s and filled it with pea gravel. He did isntall some draintile underneath the pea gravel for drainage.

Since then, a number of problems have arisen. The weight of the shed crushed the drain tile, so he and his crew were somehow able to lift it and put PVC pipe underneath. However, this did not solve the drainage issue and in the year since, the pea gravel is washing out and it is not solid under the shed.

I am looking for suggestions on how to lift the shed to get underneath to shore up the frame without having to take apart the whole shed. Also, I was thinking of laying plywood underneath to give a better support. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

 

[kbs2244]

An empty shed isn’t hard to lift.
An 8 foot 2x4 as a lever and a cement block for a fulcrum.
Use the 2x4 on edge. Not flat.
Dig out the pea gravel at the corners and mid points at the least and put cement blocks under the shed resting on solid dirt. Lay them flat so the holes are horizontal. I would want them no more than 4 feet apart.
Depending on the weight you are puting on the floor, a row of blocks down the centerline may be a good idea. With a good sized garden tractor or such you will want more support under the middle of the floor than around the outside under the walls. It will put more concentrated weight where you park it than the walls do because their weight is spread out.
Pea gravel is great for drainage, but bad for supporting weight. As you found out the little marbles just roll around under pressure. The landscaper must have used it as a “frost breaker.” It is the same idea as the railroads using rock “ballast” under the tracks to keep the right of way well drained. If it is dry you don’t get freeze heaves.
If water is a problem, put gutters on the shed and run the downspouts at least 8 feet away.

 

[bry@n]

here is what I would do.

I would hire a shed company to move the shed temporarily. Then fix the rock bed. I would also frame out the pad with 4x4's or 6x6's. drill holes and run rebar through them 2 feet into the ground. That should stop the washing away of the rocks.

 

[Ranger1227]

any thoughts about laying plywood over the frame to go under the base of the shed?

 

[bry@n]

what are you looking to support? The shed? or the framing of the shed?