How to Build a Shed Base on Uneven Ground | 2023 Guide

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How to Build a Shed Base on Uneven Ground

Even if you have plenty of DIY experience under your belt, building a shed base on uneven ground can prove challenging. Although it’s tempting to cut corners when faced with uneven ground, you should never compromise when it comes to constructing a solid foundation for an outdoor structure. Not only will your shed need solid support to ensure it stands firm for years, you’ll also need to consider things like drainage when building on a slope. Daunted by the prospect of putting together a shed base on a slope? Our guide breaks down the essential things to consider when faced with this demanding DIY challenge.

Preparation, Excavation and Levelling

One of the most important steps involved with building a shed base on a slope is marking out the area and preparing the ground. Once you’ve accurately measured out the dimensions of your shed on the target area, you’ll need to carry out some excavation work. You’ll need to remove all vegetation and grass, as topsoil and any rocks that be lurking around. Generally speaking, you’ll not need to remove more than around 12-15 inches of soil, so chances are you’ll need a standard garden spade to carry out this work.

Once you’ve removed soil and any other obstacles, you can start rectifying any uneven levels. An easy way to determine a slope is by placing a plank of wood lengthwise across the planned foundation area. This will instantly give you an idea of any problematic peaks or shallows You can then start working to level the area. Simply move some excavated topsoil into any troughs, before gently levelling the area once you’re done.

For a more precise finish, you may want to use a top layer of building sand. Alternatively, you can use a soil compacter to even things out further. Throughout all of this process, it is also useful to consult the guidance of a spirit level. Even if the soil and sand layer of your shed base foundation looks level, you may be dealing with deceiving slopes.

Before You Build Your Base

Once you’ve taken care of uneven ground and levelled things off, it can be tempting to start building a shed base immediately. However, to ensure your hard work doesn’t go to waste, take some time to properly prepare the area. One issue many people encounter after preparing a DIY shed base is weed growth. To avoid weeds penetrating through the base of your shed in the future, it’s a good idea to incorporate weed membrane material into the mix. Weed membranes come in sheet form and are very affordable. If your garden is particularly prone to weed growth, you may want to consider using multiple layers to keep unruly plants at bay.

Once you’ve done this, you can start thinking about building your shed base and selecting suitable materials. If you’re thinking about using paving slaps or timber beams to construct shed base, take the time to measure the levels of the area once again. Unlike a pure concrete base, where you’ve a little more flexibility when it comes to levelling off the surface layer, you’ll be somewhat limited by slab dimensions and pre-cut timber beams.

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