Wooden shed on cement slab but raised up for drainage

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

09-29-15, 06:23 AM

SouthFlorida123

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Sep 2015

Location: United States

Posts: 3

Upvotes: 0

Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts

Wooden shed on cement slab but raised up for drainage

Hello forum

New member here and asking a question...hope its the appropriate venue

I have an old slab in the back yard from years ago. It had a shed on it at one time but long gone. I want to build another shed (wood) and secure it to the slab, HOWEVER the slab over the years is in a bit of a low point in the yard. I want to float a floor but about 6 to 8 inches above the slab. Looking for suggestions on best way to do that so it water collects there is will sit below the floor and drain out as opposed to sitting on the shed floor.

I was thinking of placing large bolts into the cement slab, placing cinder blocks over them, filling the voids in the cinder blocks with cement and thus having a raised base along with blots I can now use to secure the floor to?

I am in NO way knowledgeable in this stuff...I usually make stuff up as I go along..I am very handy...just not experienced in this stuff at all...so asking first this time

Thanks!

PS Slab is 10x10 and shed will be 8x8 or 8x6 probably

Upvote

09-29-15, 06:40 AM

Pulpo

Temporarily Suspended

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: NY

Posts: 10,265

Upvotes: 0

Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts

Raising the shed is a good idea. I don't think that I would build a shed for a few reasons. Some municipalities consider it a structure as opposed to a shed bought from Home Depot. It's easier to assemble a prefab shed.

Do you really need to raise it the height of a cement block? Will that require steps?

Upvote

09-29-15, 07:10 AM

joecaption

Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: USA

Posts: 4,459

Upvotes: 245

Received 125 Upvotes on 110 Posts

I'd build it on top of at least 3, 6 X 6's as skids.

Upvote

09-29-15, 07:20 AM

ray2047

Member

Join Date: Mar 2006

Location: USA

Posts: 29,711

Upvotes: 0

Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts

Quote:

PS Slab is 10x10 and shed will be 8x8 or 8x6 probably

That rules out putting it directly on the slab. Rain would run under the walls. I'd say break up the slab or just use it for a "patio" in front of the shed entrance. If you built an elevated smaller shed on top the remaining concrete around the sides would look awkward at best.

Upvote

09-29-15, 08:27 AM

SouthFlorida123

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Sep 2015

Location: United States

Posts: 3

Upvotes: 0

Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts

Thanks for all the quick info

Not really sure how high it needs to be...prob just 2 or 3 inches above the slab to avoid pooling when crazy heavy rain comes in....not too often but it is S Fla after all

Its kind of a limited space so I cant use the slab as patio, that's a great idea but unfortunately I am limited to one corner of the yard. If I put those Skids down can they sit directly on the cement and how do I secure them down?

Upvote

09-29-15, 10:45 AM

marksr

Forum Topic Moderator

Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: USA - N.E.Tn

Posts: 45,221

Upvotes: 564

Received 753 Upvotes on 658 Posts

Any reason not to make the shed match the size of the slab?
You can screw brackets to the 6x6s and then use tapcons to secure the other end to the slab.
almost forgot - welcome to the forums!

Upvote

09-29-15, 11:41 AM

ray2047

Member

Join Date: Mar 2006

Location: USA

Posts: 29,711

Upvotes: 0

Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts

Wood skids can eventually rot, especially in Florida, even if treated. I'd build a base of treated joists (2x6 or 2x8) spaced 16" on center supported by 4"thick 8"x16" concrete cap stones. Use ¾" treated plywood for the floor.

Upvote

10-09-15, 03:50 PM

SouthFlorida123

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Sep 2015

Location: United States

Posts: 3

Upvotes: 0

Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts

Yes..cool

I saw those cement cap stones...

They seem an easy solution to the raising it up a bit issue

I want to keep it a tad smaller than the slab as I the original slab is a bit too close to the property line / fence I remember it years ago when the original shed was up and there was about 10 inches from the wall to the fence

Thanks!

This forum is awesome

Upvote

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Show Printable Version

Email this Page

Decks, Patios, Porches, Walkways, Driveways, Stairs, Steps and Docks
deck seams or breaker board locatoin

R

rookie42 on Oct 09, 2015

[ATTACH]57173[/ATTACH] Question for you experienced deck builders. This is my first deck..it will be attached to house at 24' side, stairs going down away from house on left end where cutout is. As deck is wider than 24' I'll need some deck board seams, using trex or timbertech, max length I can buy is 20'. I'm thinking of putting a breaker board mid-way bewtween the main section of deck as shown, not sure I like the look, but can't think of other location that makes sense. What would you experienced deck builders do? open to suggestions. Thanks, J
Decks, Patios, Porches, Walkways, Driveways, Stairs, Steps and Docks
Replacing a wooden load bearing exterior pillar

T

tarzann on Oct 09, 2015

Disclaimer: I have no prior experience at doing this Pictures: [URL="http://imgur.com/a/AaMDr"]here[/URL] I am about to tackle replacing a wooden pillar with a composite one (doesn't rot) and in the fact gathering stage. The pillar is 66". I have a general idea of the steps but need more specific answers before beginning. Any help would be much appreciated. [B][New pillar][/B] What is the best composite material I can get to replace this with? Aluminum or PVC or fiberglass or other? I assume I order a standard size and cut to custom size? [B][Support beam][/B] From what I have read, I need to make a T-support by placing a piece of wood (2"x6") diagonally at the corner of the roof support (top of T) and put a support beam under it. Is 2"x6" strong enough at the top? What size beam do I need for vertical support pillar (4"x4" deck beam?) or bigger? [B][Old pillar][/B] This is where I am most confused. I cannot tell if this is a solid piece of wood with trim around or not. From picking at the loose pieces, the wood feels very light and not at all very strong. I wonder if there is a support beam in the middle and if it is secured to the roof and base. What is the best way to tackle removing this once I have the roof T-support secured? Remove top and bottom trim then...? [B][General questions][/B] What is that piece of material at the bottom of the trim touching the concrete? It looks like fiberglass. Do I need this piece? What are those plastic popsicle stick pieces also at the bottom of the trim for? Looking at the top of the old column, I see that it doesn't sit flush to the roof - I assume I will need a plinth for the new column to push against (from what I have seen, the PVC etc are all hollow). What is the best material for this plinth? Do I use the same top plinth for for the bottom plinth or can the new hollow column rest on the concrete? Are there any other things I should know before getting started? Thanks!