How to Make a Shed Foundation
The floor of a shed should be constructed of concrete in climates where the ground can freeze. When the ground freezes, the soil expands and can lift up. In this case, if the foundation of your shed is made from wood rather than concrete, the structural integrity of the shed can be at risk. A concrete foundation is built on footers that extend below the frost line, providing a solid base for the shed. Always check your local building codes for regulations on the type of foundation you should have in the area you live, and if you need a building permit to install your shed foundation. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Hoe
- Metal rake
- Wheelbarrow
- Stakes
- Mallet
- Measuring tape
- Crushed gravel
- Plumb bob
- Nails
- Hammer
- Concrete Mix
- Garden hose and water
- Plywood boards (2-by-6-inch )
- Plastic sheeting
- 2-by-4-inch board
Instructions
-
-
1
Stake an area for your shed by driving four wooden stakes at each corner of the site with a mallet. Clear the area with a shovel and hoe. Remove grass, rocks, tree roots and debris from the area and excavate the site so it is 6 inches deep.
-
2
Slope the ground away from the foundation site with a shovel and hoe in at least 10 feet in all directions. The slope should drop 1/8 inch for every foot.
-
-
3
Drop a plumb line using a plumb bob at each corner where the stakes are, and drive a nail into the top of the stake with a hammer where the plumb bob touches it. Attach a string from each nail to the other three stakes so you define the perimeter of the shed foundation.
-
4
Attach plywood boards to the stakes by hammering nails through the side of each stake and into the edge of each board to make a frame for the foundation. The stakes should sit on the outside of the boards.
-
5
Drive additional stakes into the ground with the mallet at the corners and outside of the boards to support them.
-
6
Shovel crushed gravel into the excavated area inside the frame until it is 4 inches in depth. Spread it evenly with a hoe and metal rake. Lay plastic sheeting over the gravel to make a vapor barrier.
-
7
Mix the concrete with water in a wheelbarrow with a hoe according to the instructions on the package; mix until it is a smooth consistency.
-
8
Pour the concrete from the wheelbarrow all over the vapor barrier and smooth it with the rake or hoe, pushing it up against the frame. The concrete should sit about 1 inch higher than the forms, as it will settle.
-
9
Pull a 2-by-4-inch board across the top of the concrete to smooth it out and level it. Smooth a trowel over the surface of the concrete surface to finish it. Let it cure for at least a week.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit winter shed image by Paul Coskery from Fotolia.com
