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
