Building up a base under a shed

[Karolisko]

Hi all,

We were left a keter plastic shed by our neighbours (8*6). The only place where we can fit it in our small garden has a bit of a slope. I started digging it out but found a root there at the highest point . The root is of a mature ash tree (so hoping that it won't grow more). The plan was to level it up with any bricks and rubble I could find, put some mot in between and sand on top and then lay concrete slabs. Does it have a chance to be stable or is it asking for trouble? Space is at premium due to the small size of the garden so ideally I'd not move the floor/shed forward of the root..

Thanks in advance

 

[mrrusty]

Trying to stop a built up base on a slope made from loose hardcore spreading out is a challenge - it really needs some sort of retaining wall. If it was me, I would look to build brick/block/concrete pillars where it will support the shed level. You could also run timbers or concrete lintels across first to stand the shed on. It's easier to concentrate on getting some pillars robust and level - not so much digging out!

 

[Karolisko]

Trying to stop a built up base on a slope made from loose hardcore spreading out is a challenge - it really needs some sort of retaining wall. If it was me, I would look to build brick/block/concrete pillars where it will support the shed level. You could also run timbers or concrete lintels across first to stand the shed on. It's easier to concentrate on getting some pillars robust and level - not so much digging out!

Thanks. A hard advise to take as I was set on this plan, with mot, sand and slabs ready but perhaps this is the way. If going with bricks (could I use some of the slabs?) I would still have to make sure it's level, and supporting shed floor in the middle, no?

 

[mrrusty]

Having looked at Keter's installation instructions https://www.assets-pim.com/Media_1731575907397.pdf it looks like that shed doesn't really have a structural floor (unlike a wooden shed which usually has wooden bearers running lengthwise which can be supported on cross-bearers on pillars) as it shows it being installed on a flat timber or concrete base.

I don't think my initial pillars idea will work easily with that shed. Have you got wheelbarrow access to where the shed is going from the road? Another option could be to make a timber shutter, robustly supported and then get a barrowmix company to fill it with concrete - round our way it's about £150 cu/m3 and I think you would only need just over 1 m3.

Another alternative is to create a perimeter brick wall on the low part, and then fill it with MOT and slabs or concrete

A few options, but it looks like you have about 3 bricks height at the front, and no way will a loose mot/sand base stay level without retention.

 

[Karolisko]

Thanks again. Yes, you're quite right about the shed's floor. I had a similar idea to you about brick perimeter and filling it in. Or if not, just losing that 0,5m and avoiding the higher bit of the root altogether (I think I could even out the resulting area with rubble and mot. Have a good weekend and thank you for taking your time to help.

 

[foxhole]

Free, pallet base , cut to allow for root and a sheet of ply or osb on top would give you a stable base that’s not going to get soaked when raining .

 

[Karolisko]

Free, pallet base , cut to allow for root and a sheet of ply or osb on top would give you a stable base that’s not going to get soaked when raining .

That's not a bad idea! I mean now i have invested too much into aggregates etc but definitely for the future use. I'll start looking out for those free pallets (don't see them as much these days). I'm guessing pallets (and definitely ply or osb) would start rotting sooner or later but it's definitely has its use.