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New Greenhouse - how level should it be...
andy.may101oyN3AVgs
Posts: 3
Hi, novice gardener here so forgive me if I'm asking stupid questions about how level or not level you can get away with when putting in a new greenhouse...
I've moved into a new place, purchased first ever greenhouse and in process of assembling.
I had a builder in to lay a concrete base as was recommended to have the greenhouse on a hardstanding surface as garden slopes downward. The base itself turns out to be far from level and slopes down from the door end to the bottom end by 120mm and from left to right by 20mm.
Is this sort of issue something others can encounter and will it likely cause me real difficulty fitting glass, also am I within my rights to ask the builder back to help at least pack it given you'd expect anyone laying a base for a greenhouse to lay it level and flat. I'm aware breaking out concrete and starting again is something a) builder unlikely to do and b) seems a real waste when maybe there are simpler solutions.
Any advice much appreciated - I'm looking forward to getting to the growing phase...
I've moved into a new place, purchased first ever greenhouse and in process of assembling.
I had a builder in to lay a concrete base as was recommended to have the greenhouse on a hardstanding surface as garden slopes downward. The base itself turns out to be far from level and slopes down from the door end to the bottom end by 120mm and from left to right by 20mm.
Is this sort of issue something others can encounter and will it likely cause me real difficulty fitting glass, also am I within my rights to ask the builder back to help at least pack it given you'd expect anyone laying a base for a greenhouse to lay it level and flat. I'm aware breaking out concrete and starting again is something a) builder unlikely to do and b) seems a real waste when maybe there are simpler solutions.
Any advice much appreciated - I'm looking forward to getting to the growing phase...
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Posts
I rather think you will have continuing issues with both the glass and the framework without some alteration.
If you don't feel happy about getting your builder back but feel you may be able to do the necessary yourself I'd suggest you post a photo or 2 or a detailed sketch along with info on what GH and you may find that others on here with experience of erecting GH's could help with some advice.
Must be horribly annoying and frustrating but hopefully it can still be corrected and you can begin to enjoy using it. Best of luck
The side to side one [20mm] shouldn't be a problem I'd have thought, but the front to back difference seems rather a lot. 5 inches might put a strain on the frame and glass, but it would possibly also depend on the distance the slope covers.
Hopefully someone can advise you though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Nothing will work properly if you don't start level. There is a thing called a self-levelling screed, I'm surprised your builder didn't use this. A screed can be added on top of the old, with care taken that it adheres well..
I hope you haven't paid.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
To give a bit more detail and photos as requested - it is a Halls popular greenhouse. The length is 10.5 ft. Width 6 ft. The drop/gradient due to it not being level lengthwise is 120mm. The width across the door/back is about 20mm out.
The garden is on quite a gradient, as you say wouldn't have minded 10-20mm and easier to pack underneath and make level on my own but now feels like I need either brick, or screed or something more substantial to raise [thanks for the tips and suggestions Bede and pansyface and Philippa].
The builder has said "I do always put a slight slope/run off so that the water doesn’t lay. It’s better for sheds so that the wooden base isn’t sitting in water, also with greenhouses so that you can clean it out/jet wash it and the water will drain away. Also the case with patios, always put a slight slope so the water runs away from the house" - but I don't think 120mm can be claimed as 'slight' ?!
In the sticks near Peterborough
Without wishing to tempt fate, l have never had a problem with it.
A slight slope to allow any water run off is fine but that's a bit over the top l would say.
Personally I would always put a small fall to the shortest side, perhaps a 1:80 or something like that just to be sure there's no standing water which can cause a number of issues - And as you say, this can always be packed out to create a level frame. However a 120mm fall across the 3.2m length roughly calculates to 1:26 which seems almost beyond the realms of intentional.
Also, it doesn't look particularly well floated on top or edge trowelled so will not only be sharp but will flake and crack as the weather and conditions exploit this area.
You say its installed on a slope, has the sub grade possibly subsided under the weight of the concrete?
I'm not one to knock another's work without knowing exactly what the builder had signed up to do, but it does look a little rough...
Mind you, if you'd said "just a cheap rough slab over there mate, something solid for the greenhouse to sit on" then perhaps he did just that!
Hope you can get it sorted.