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Would You Do it?

butch | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 13, 2005 04:11am

….. Build a 12’x16′ shed on a

a “floating” slab.

Form a box (12’x16′)out of 2×4’s on top of the ground

square, level and brace. Dig out inside this

box to thicken the edge to 8″ to 10″ deep appox. the width

of a shovel. Add some wire mesh and maybe some visquene

and call it good. Oh and this is the memphis area so frost

level is about 13″.

Comments? Insults?

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    artacoma | Oct 13, 2005 04:29am | #1

    Heck ya ........to park my lawnmower, not to live in
    What I would do is either perimeter tile or slope the grade away from the building on all sides

    Rik

  2. jrnbj | Oct 13, 2005 04:30am | #2

    Absolutely, positively..........depends
    (on the soil)

  3. StanFoster | Oct 13, 2005 04:37am | #3

    Butch:    Thats how I built this 18 ft.  x 24 ft. shed.   I built another one that was 12  ft.  x 16 ft  30 years ago and its still doing fine.    I did run 3/8 rebar every two feet both ways.....and did dig down the perimeter to 1 ft. 

    Of course the best way is a full foundation....but for just some lawn mowers....and christmas decorations...it will be fine.

     

     

    Stan

    1. User avater
      Luka | Oct 13, 2005 04:44am | #4

      You built that 30 years ago, and you still only have half of it tarpapered ???;o)

  4. butch | Oct 13, 2005 04:51am | #5

    thanks for the replies,

    anybody venture a guess at how much concrete

    I would need?

    3 yds?

    Is 3000 psi sufficent?

    1. FastEddie | Oct 13, 2005 05:22am | #6

      3000 psi is ok, but spend just a few more dollars for 3500 or 4000.

      A simple slab 12'x16'x full 4" = 2.4 cy.

      If the footer is another 6" deep x 12" wide x 56 ft long = 1.0+ cy.

      Order 4 yards and have a sidewalk or something formed up.

       

       

      "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

      Edited 10/12/2005 10:25 pm ET by FastEddie

      1. RalphWicklund | Oct 13, 2005 07:54am | #7

        Also find out what the minimum order is. If you need 4 yds and the min. is 5, you're going to pay for a yard you don't get. It only gets worse when the minimums go up. I have one supplier with a minimum of 6 and one with 8.

        I generate a little more good will or attaboys when the customer gets a larger patio, driveway or walkway than expected, even though I have to charge for the concrete.

        1. butch | Oct 15, 2005 03:15am | #9

          We have a company here that has small concretetrucks and the MOST they can carry is 3 1/4 yards.So they fill the bill for this paticulare jobTwo deliveries- 2yds then 1 1/2yds 3500psi large rockjust shy of 400.00. And they deliver sat. no extra charge.

  5. Bing187 | Oct 15, 2005 03:05am | #8

    We do light buildings once in a while on a "haunch" pour such as what you describe. Only thing that would concern me is that @ 3-1/2 " above grade, you're pretty close in regards to bugs and more importantly, splashing rain. Think I'd do as you describe w/the trench inside but I'd form up outside w/ a 2x10, and fill inside w/ appropriate gravel to keep the pour at 5" thick or so.That way, your conc expense doesn't go up, but you can keep the wood around 9" above grade.

    my .02

    Bing

    1. butch | Oct 15, 2005 03:16am | #10

      I appreciate the heads upBut I plan to wrap the structure in tar paperand use hardie siding so hopefully moisture shouldn't be a problemo.

  6. maverick | Oct 15, 2005 03:57am | #11

    Why concrete? You could build it on a pressure treated platform

    1. butch | Oct 15, 2005 04:47am | #12

      Why concrete?That is what the customer wants.

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