General Category > OT Knowledge
Shed base queries...
andyoxon:
--- Quote from: hairyhippy on April 03, 2012, 03:33:37 PM ---Don't, whatever you do, cover the drain. It is a recipe for a disaster. Do not ask how I know this.
--- End quote ---
How do you know this? ;) Yes, I want to leave it clear, so have to do something with the space in the corner - so thought I could tuck the small shed there. if it wasn't for the drain cover I'd prolly forget moving the small shed, and maybe push a 8x14' shed further into the corner.
rogerzilla:
I would just use slabs on compacted earth. It's more about keeping the shed dry than about spreading the small weight.
andyoxon:
--- Quote from: citoyen on April 03, 2012, 03:51:18 PM ---The one and only time I've done this job, I levelled the area with a dry sand and cement mix (didn't compact it) and laid slabs without mortar for the shed to sit on (with a row of square fence posts under the shed to raise it slightly for drainage). A hardcore foundation does seem like overkill for a garden shed, which is a relatively light structure, even an 8x12 one.
d.
--- End quote ---
Is it because slabs are lighter than a full concrete base, that the latter requires compacted hardcore? Re drainage AFAICS a sand - cement mix under slabs will set solid and not allow drainage through the slabs anyway. Good point about fence posts. I know that one can lay fence posts (bearers) direct onto compacted hardcore....
citoyen:
I think you only need quite a low proportion of cement in the mix, just enough for it to "set" but still allow drainage. But tbh, I can't really remember - I think I just followed what it said in my DIY book. As roger says, you can lay the slabs straight on the ground, but a bit of sand just helps to ensure they lay flat.
If you're laying a hardcore foundation, you need to compact it or it will settle and leave voids.
d.
andyoxon:
With the soil being heavy clay - IME it'll probably need compaction in it's own right, as if dug over a bit, the large lumps of clay tend to leave voids themselves. Where I've removed the small patio flags there was one area of builders sand that was much deeper - so I'll have to fill this. Not sure whether to put clay back in - from a heap in the other end of the garden, or hardcore; probably go for my hardcore.
If I could get away with 1/2 the amount of sharp sand/cement just to help level slabs that would be good...
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