Shed build cock-up

[hi___rez]

Hi all

I think I've messed up my first (from scratch) shed build. Installed a base, floor and three of the walls, and was happy with how it was going until I realised I had dug the base out too deep and the shed is sitting 5-10 cms below ground level. The base is also is sitting directly on the slabs. So when it Twain’s when it rains, I'll have a shallow swimming pool below my shed which the joists are going to be sitting in.

My questions is, is there a simple solution to solving this issue without taking it all apart? Would just raising the shed off the slabs be enough?

 

[JohnD]

a couple of courses of bricks on your slab will enable you to lift the joists.

And/or dig a French Drain around the slab. if the ground is not porous enough for the water to soak away without rising above the slab's dpm, lead it away from the shed, sloping downwards, into a soakaway. If there is no dpm, the timbers in contact with the damp concrete will rot.

Also, fit good gutters and downpipe to the roof of the shed so that water does not run onto the ground around it. A garden waterbutt is useful, but have an overflow near the top to take excess to your soakaway.

 

[hi___rez]

Thanks JohnD. Rather than the two courses of bricks, would something like this work instead? https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk...jimm_JA5ifMQnxiWr7JQgHRoCqOwQAvD_BwE#images-1 It's just a case of lifting the thing and fitting them!

A french drain is a good idea regardless. The slabs haven't got a DPM.

 

[JohnD]

5-10 cms below ground level

the plastic things have insufficient lift.

 

[^woody^]

Some 4x2 flat or on edge around the bottom and under the floor as necessary.

 

[hi___rez]

the plastic things have insufficient lift.

yeah, noticed that after I posted it. The ground is pretty uneven around the shed, and the highest point is about 6cm. Rather than bricks, was going to get the some concrete blocks delivered. Shouldn’t be too difficult to jack up the shed and place them under? Ive only got the base and three walls to lift.

Took a quick photo this morning to show issue.

 

[hi___rez]

Some 4x2 flat or on edge around the bottom and under the floor as necessary.

Thanks woody. My issue was the timber of the base sitting in water, so placing more 4x2 under it creates the same problem? Unless I misunderstood your advice?

 

[hi___rez]

On second thought, as we’re laying new lawn at some point, would it be worth just using some extra paving slabs to raise it and level off the highest points around the edge of the dirt? That way there isn’t going to be a big step to get into the shed.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

On second thought, as we’re laying new lawn at some point, would it be worth just using some extra paving slabs to raise it and level off the highest points around the edge of the dirt? That way there isn’t going to be a big step to get into the shed.

A step is not an issue, unless you must wheel equipment in and out. My shed was 6" above ground level and my partners mobility scooter was kept in there. I simply made a fixed ramp from alloy chequer plate.

 

[hi___rez]

A step is not an issue, unless you must wheel equipment in and out. My shed was 6" above ground level and my partners mobility scooter was kept in there. I simply made a fixed ramp from alloy chequer plate.

Thanks Harry

 

[hi___rez]

I'm essentially trying to create something like the attached photo, just a bit longer. So no over hang and a flat roof. Drainage, is it best to construct something like the 2nd photo? With a downpipe leading to a waterbutt?

 

[^woody^]

Thanks woody. My issue was the timber of the base sitting in water, so placing more 4x2 under it creates the same problem? Unless I misunderstood your advice?

Would it really be sitting in water. Surely there is some run off. As long as its tanalised timber it will be OK to get wet, as long as water does drain.

 

[^woody^]

I'm essentially trying to create something like the attached photo, just a bit longer. So no over hang and a flat roof. Drainage, is it best to construct something like the 2nd photo? With a downpipe leading to a waterbutt?

View attachment 186631 View attachment 186632

That does look nice, but the issue with that type of design with no roof overhang, is that rain saturates the timber and it weathers terribly from the top.

 

[hi___rez]

Would it really be sitting in water. Surely there is some run off. As long as its tanalised timber it will be OK to get wet, as long as water does drain.

I don’t think it will pool, but form what I’ve heard, having the timber sitting directly in the paving isn’t recommended? It’s pressure treated.

I can dig an area around the paving and fill with pea shingle to help drain. Do you think that would be sufficient?

 

[hi___rez]

That does look nice, but the issue with that type of design with no roof overhang, is that rain saturates the timber and it weathers terribly from the top.

So that I can avoid an over hang and rotten timber, these fibreglass panels might be a better solution? I’ll be fitting it vertically.

https://www.cladco.co.uk/sheets/32-...nPjBMTCW-4Vmp-9bgY7Q_TxcrcVlxgGhoChq0QAvD_BwE

So you create this kind of look: