Raising my greenhouse / bricklaying

mrbadexample

:hello:

My aluminium greenhouse is too low - only 4' high at the eaves. It is, at present, bolted to a slabbed base:



I can legitimately acquire enough free blocks (not thermalite, not concrete, the stuff in between, whatever that is) to lay one course to rest the greenhouse on, thus raising it 9".

However, I need to stop the greenhouse landing in next door's garden with the first gust of wind.

How can I

1) Anchor the blocks to the slabs, and
2) anchor the greenhouse to the blocks

and be 100% certain that it'll stay put?

Advice appreciated.

Cheers,
MBE

djohn2002uk

mrbadexample wrote: »

:hello:

My aluminium greenhouse is too low - only 4' high at the eaves. It is, at present, bolted to a slabbed base:



I can legitimately acquire enough free blocks (not thermalite, not concrete, the stuff in between, whatever that is) to lay one course to rest the greenhouse on, thus raising it 9".

However, I need to stop the greenhouse landing in next door's garden with the first gust of wind.

How can I

1) Anchor the blocks to the slabs, and
2) anchor the greenhouse to the blocks

and be 100% certain that it'll stay put?

Advice appreciated.

Cheers,
MBE

Beans
I can see the answer in your picture. Four sections of what you have supporting your fence. Cot to length and bolt to three slabs on each side and two on each end.
Beans

mrbadexample

djohn2002uk wrote: »

I can see the answer in your picture. Four sections of what you have supporting your fence. Cot to length and bolt to three slabs on each side and two on each end.

I can't fathom out what you mean. Do you mean the concrete gravel boards under the new fence panels? They're 6' long, but steel reinforced so I can't cut them. And bolting to slabs? Eh?

Anyway, I haven't got any spare gravel boards, and I'm not buying any! I have got enough blocks to lay one course in a 6' square.

djohn2002uk

Beans
OK I'll not bother to explain 'cos you aint gonna do it anyway.
I think the blocks you mean are Breeze Blocks. All you can do is lay them with cement mixed at 5 to 1. You could also fix some straps from the top of some of the blocks, down the side and fixed to the slabs. Breeze blocks are easy to channel a groove in the top to allow the strap to fit flush. You may also want to sit the G/house on a bed of cement which will be easier at keeping drafts out which may damage next years young beans.
Oh, and the blocks are around 4" wide, enough to get a rawlplug and 3" screw in all four corners and maybe the center of each side.
Beans

mrbadexample

djohn2002uk wrote: »

OK I'll not bother to explain 'cos you aint gonna do it anyway.
I think the blocks you mean are Breeze Blocks. All you can do is lay them with cement mixed at 5 to 1. You could also fix some straps from the top of some of the blocks, down the side and fixed to the slabs. Breeze blocks are easy to channel a groove in the top to allow the strap to fit flush. You may also want to sit the G/house on a bed of cement which will be easier at keeping drafts out which may damage next years young beans.
Oh, and the blocks are around 4" wide, enough to get a rawlplug and 3" screw in all four corners and maybe the center of each side.

No need for beans on this thread mate.

I need a very MSE solution, as I'm a bit skint at the moment. The blocks I can get free. Do you think a 5:1 mix will be strong enough? And I thought the blocks might split if I drilled into them and it got windy. :undecided

djohn2002uk

5 to 1 is what is used a lot in building houses but nothing to stop you using 4 to 1. If they are Breeze Blocks then it's safe to use a 3"x10 screw or even a 4". If it goes well down into the block it will be firm. A short screw could break away more easily. But strap the blocks down to hold it all firm.
Don't forget that Breeze blocks are quite strong. Door frames are screwed to them and over the years a fair few of the doors get slammed but I've never seen a block split or it would bring the plaster off the wall.

mrbadexample

djohn2002uk wrote: »

But strap the blocks down to hold it all firm.

I think this is the key to the solution. I've seen some where they had 4 x 2 timber on top of the blocks. Not only would that raise the height another 2", it would be easier to strap down and secure the greenhouse to.

This might have to wait for next year anyway, as I'd have to move the greenhouse to lay the blocks, leaving it unanchored until the mortar had set.

Thanks.

Russe11

Sleepers be the quickest way

asbokid

mrbadexample wrote: »

:hello:

My aluminium greenhouse is too low - only 4' high at the eaves. It is, at present, bolted to a slabbed base:



I can legitimately acquire enough free blocks (not thermalite, not concrete, the stuff in between, whatever that is) to lay one course to rest the greenhouse on, thus raising it 9".

However, I need to stop the greenhouse landing in next door's garden with the first gust of wind.

How can I

1) Anchor the blocks to the slabs, and
2) anchor the greenhouse to the blocks

and be 100% certain that it'll stay put?

Advice appreciated.

Cheers,
MBE

I wouldn't be too worried about it lifting off. Your greenhouse is very well protected there with the fencing all around it. As it stands now, the slabs could lift if there was a serious gust!

Tell me to mind my own, but what sort of weed are you growing? I'm trying to germinate some seeds that I picked out of the last smoke, but no signs yet. Might be a bit early. Do you germinate them on bog roll, or directly in or on the soil?

mrbadexample

Russe11 wrote: »

Sleepers be the quickest way

And I'll do that as soon as you've delivered my free sleepers.

mrbadexample

asbokid wrote: »

I wouldn't be too worried about it lifting off. Your greenhouse is very well protected there with the fencing all around it. As it stands now, the slabs could lift if there was a serious gust!

If the slabs were going to lift, it would have happened by now. The greenhouse has been there about 4-5 years, through some pretty rough weather, and before the fence was replaced the protection was a lot less. I just need to make sure the blocks won't separate from the slabs. Timber along the top, and then straps, seems to be a decent solution to me.

asbokid wrote: »

Tell me to mind my own, but what sort of weed are you growing? I'm trying to germinate some seeds that I picked out of the last smoke, but no signs yet. Might be a bit early. Do you germinate them on bog roll, or directly in or on the soil?

I germinated them in modules filled with multi-purpose compost on a southwest facing kitchen windowsill. Worked a treat.

I'm growing some serious !!!!!! this year:

Purple Ukraine
Orange Banana
Millefleur
Galina
Amish Paste
Red Cluster Pear
Conchita
Elegance
Dasher
Kumato
Gardener's Delight.