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