It is
essential to provide a solid and level base for "ANY
BUILDING".
Attempting to
assemble a garden building on an unleveled or soft surface
will incur difficulties in squaring the building up when
putting on the roof and doors will often not close properly.
We recommend the following 4 types of base:
• A
Paving Slab Base - We can supply drawings for slab positions
free of charge if you require them.
• A Concrete Base
• Tantalized Bearers
• A pre-formed base – A
relatively new concept in shed bases, a pre-manufactured
tanalised timber frame base, all you have to do is level it
for the building to sit on. These are available for
different sizes of sheds. Ask for a quotation if you feel
that this would be the easiest method for you....Available
for all sheds and buildings up to 6 ft x 10 ft apart from
dog sheds with runs....... Dog sheds and
animal housing must be on either a slab base or a concreted
area for hygiene purposes.
Whichever
method is more suitable, we strongly recommend that your
base be made to the same measurements as the floor of the
garden building you are contemplating purchasing.
This
allows the majority of rain to run off the walls and roof
and soak-away instead of pooling on the base under the
building and effectively creating dampness and potential rot
problems.
Concrete Base
Tools
Required:
• Pegs and
string
• Sand and aggregate mix
• Hardcore
• Standard cement
• Timber for
shuttering formwork
• Tape measure
• Spade
• Sweeping brush
• Cement mixer
• Wheel barrow
• Tamp board
• Spirit level.
Step 1:
Decide where to position the shed in an optimal space,
allow enough distance from hedges or fences for easy
access to all sides. Using pegs and string to mark out
the base the same area as the building’s floor. Finally,
measure diagonals to ensure the area is square.
Step 2:
A
concrete base requires 3 inch (7.5 cm) of compacted
hardcore underneath the 3 inch (7.5 cm) concrete layer.
The base can be level with the ground or raised above
it. If it is to be level excavate the top earth to 6
inch (15 cm) to allow for the hardcore layer and 3 inch
(7.5 cm) thickness of concrete. Level the area with a
rake and spade and remove the pegs.
Step 3:
Set
up leveled formwork. This involves measuring, cutting
and fitting timber, to the shape of the base in order to
contain the concrete (as shown in the diagram). Check
diagonals to ensure the formwork is square. And also
ensure the formwork is level, as this will determine
whether your base is 100% level. Next, spread a layer of
well compacted hardcore and cover with a liberal amount
of sand.
Step 4:
Next, mix concrete using one part cement to five parts aggregate or
use bags of dry-mixed concrete to which you just add
water. Small amounts of water should be added at a time
and mixed into the concrete mix to ensure excessive
amounts are not added making the cement sloppy, as the
concrete should be kept on the dry side.
Spread
the concrete evenly and slightly proud of the formwork.
This can be then leveled off with a long straight edge
of timber resting on the formwork using a sawing motion
slowly over the entire surface of the freshly laid
concrete.
If wet weather is forecast, cover the
concrete with polythene for 24-hours. In warm weather
cover the base with damp sacks and sprinkle them with
water over the 24-hour period, this will ensure the
drying concrete will not shrink and crack.
The
result is a smooth, sound, level base. The perfect
foundation for the construction of a garden building.
Allow at least 4 - 5 days for the concrete to set prior
to assembling your building.
Please
note however....Large concreted areas to be used as
garage or workshop floors, should be left at least 14
days before the building is erected on it to ensure a
secure fixing for the building.
Slab Base
Tools
Required:
• Pegs and
string
• Flat Face Paving Slabs
• Sharp sand
• Standard cement, rake
• Tape measure
• Spade
• Rubber mallet
• Sweeping brush
• Spirit level
Step 1:
As
mentioned above, decide where to position the shed in an
optimal space. Allow enough distance from hedges or
fences for easy access to all sides. Using pegs and
string to mark out the base the same area as the
building’s floor. Finally, measure the diagonals to
ensure the area is square.
Step 2:
Strip the
topsoil and dig out to a depth of approx. 2.5 inch (7
cm) to accommodate the base. Level the area and remove
the pegs.
Step 3:
Mix
together one part cement to eight parts building sand
for a dry sand and cement mix. Spread this evenly
ensuring that the mix sits approx. 4 cm in depth. Now,
rake this to a level.
Step 4:
Starting from
one corner and working outward, lay the slabs by tapping
down on the centre of each slab with a rubber mallet.
Using a spirit level, ensure all the slabs are square,
level and firmly butted together for a solid base.
Step
5:
The
completed base should now be level and square. Do one
final check with a long straight edge to check if the
base is level from each corner, and also measure the
diagonals to finally check the base is square. Brush off
any excess dry sand/cement mix, which could hinder the
leveling of the shed. The result is a smooth, sound,
level base. The perfect foundation for the construction
of a garden building.
Tanalised Bearers Base
Tools Required:
• Pegs
and string
• Tape measure
• Spade
• Rubber
mallet
• Spirit level
• Hardcore
• 75mm x
75mm Tanalised Bearers
Step 1:
As mentioned
above, decide where to position the shed in an
optimal space. Allow enough distance from hedges or
fences for easy access to all sides. Using pegs and
string to mark out the base the same area as the
building’s floor. Finally, measure the diagonals to
ensure the area is square.
Step 2:
Strip
the topsoil and dig out to a depth of approx. 3 inch
(7.5 cm) to accommodate the base. Level the area and
remove the pegs.
Step 3:
Fill the
trench with hardcore and compact down as level as
possible.
Step 4:
Lay the
bearers on the hardcore, 16 inches (40cm) apart. The
bearers should be laid at 90 degrees to the
building’s floor joists, i.e. if the floor joists
run from side to side of the building then the
bearers will need to run the length of the building.
Check the orientation of the floor joists on your
building as they do vary from building to building.
Using the spirit level and rubber hammer, tap the
bearers into the hardcore until they are perfectly
level.
If you are in
any doubt about preparing your foundations ...
PLEASE ASK TO SAVE YOUR SELF TIME AND MONEY
If you would
like to have someone to prepare the foundations for
you, we will be happy to supply you with contact
numbers of experienced companies we highly recommend