Allotment shed base
Taitmamly
Posts: 2
Hello all!
So I've taken on my very first allotment plot and it has it's own shed. Most of the damage is relatively simple: it's gotten damp inside, mice have chewed holes in the sides etc and I've already started to fix that BUT the base is rotting and should probably be replaced sooner rather than later, but I have no idea how to go about it.
It's a 4ftx6ft shed and is currently sat on three beams of timber, roughly 6" high.
My running theory is to visit the local rec yard and try to get my hands on some sleepers, borrow a jack off a friend, jack the shed up (one on each side) and pull the old beam out and replace with my sleeper.
Is that a terrible idea? Please bear in mind that I'll most likely be doing this solo.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited: 14 November 2017 10:02:58
Posts
It sounds feasible. We aren't allowed hard standing bases so our shed was put up on a buttressed framework. I would probably do the same as you if ours goes, we have put membrane under ours and kept an air space between the base of shed and ground under & outside so if you could do that when you replace the base beams it may stop it rotting in the future. I'm reading that it is the base the shed is on not the shed floor.
Just make sure its level with the other 2 beams so the floor weight is evenly spread - would it not be better to replace all 3 with treated timber so you only have to do it once if you are having to do it on your own?? I am sure someone will offer to help
Treated timber might be better, thinking on it. Certainly lighter! Should I be leaving a huge chunk sticking out like the last guy did? At the moment each beam sticks out at least 9" at the moment (on either side).
Yes, it's the beams the shed sits on rather than the floor. The floor is a tiny bit damp, but I think that's mostly from water seeping through the window which didn't fit well. It does now! I've treated all the wood inside anyway, so hopefully that'll help.
There is a bit of a gap at the moment, but I think the effect was ruined by the fact that there was a run off hose from a water butts that had been fixed so all the excess would go down there. ? It's now fixed to run into another water butt!
Great that you have your first allotment, and a shed ? Even if it does need some tlc. this last weekend my OH and I put some sleepers around an untidy area of ground to make it a raised bed, believe you me they are mighty heavy, i'm fairly strong and my OH too but we could only manage to slightly arrange them after carting them by trailer and ride on mower to the back garden. My thoughts would be treated timber will be soooo much easier for you to work with. I think you good jack it up enough then to place the new beams as they won't be so deep. If you think shed structure can take the jacking up, i think you would succeed ? Let us know how you get on, send us a pic ?
You could tip the shed right on its side rather than muck about with a jack.
Hi
Ours sits on the base with no sticky out bits, all flush to the sides
I bought a 8x6 metal shed some years ago and my base was four large pallets held together with 3x2 batten.It has the added advantage of aerating the shed as the wind can run underneath in this way airs the shed.Cheaper than sleepers.Then just fill in gaps instant floor.