Cheap shed base ideas with already cracked concrete foundation

bobbstar21

Hi all,

I live in a rented property and I want to get a shed.

There is already a 8ftx10ft concrete base but it's a little broken with soil exposed in some areas.

What are some ideas for a shed base? Since it's rented, I'm not looking to spend too much money. 

I thought about filling the cracks/holes and then using a timber base for the shed but not really sure

Simonon77

An easier option is to put the shed up on breeze blocks. This will also allow air to circulate under it to keep it dry

subjecttocontract

If it's reasonably flat and level it will be fine as it is. Sheds usually come with a floor so just stand it on some bricks and get a roll of dpc to stop any rising damp.

bobbstar21

Thank you both! What sort of layout for the blocks?

Simonon77

bobbstar21 said:

Thank you both! What sort of layout for the blocks?

You just need to support the edges and the floor really as the floors are generally quite thin so could sag or split. I would put a block at each corner, then a few along each edge and then under the floor ones around a foot apart. The actual layout isnt too vital as long as the floor feels solid when you walk on it 

Bigphil1474

Railway sleepers are a good option if you can get them cheap - you'd need three or 4 depending on shed size, one on each side and one or two down the middle, put some gravel in between. For my shed, I laid some paving in a similar fashion, just cheap pavers from B&Q. The concrete base looks fine.

You are basically wanting to have the shed sat off the ground so it doesn't sit in any puddles with room for air to get in underneath. Something like this maybe:-

subjecttocontract

Don't forget to lay some strips of dpc between the shed floor and either the bricks, blocks or timber, whatever you use. It will help to stop rising damp getting into the shed floor timber and help it to last longer.

bobbstar21

Thank you all for the tips! Much appreciated

bobbstar21

Will 30 of these https://www.diy.com/departments/aggregate-industries-dense-concrete-block-l-440mm-w-100mm-h-215mm/35854_BQ.prd be ok for an 8ft by 10ft shed?

Simonon77

bobbstar21 said:

Will 30 of these https://www.diy.com/departments/aggregate-industries-dense-concrete-block-l-440mm-w-100mm-h-215mm/35854_BQ.prd be ok for an 8ft by 10ft shed?

Yes, that will be ideal 

Section62

bobbstar21 said:

Will 30 of these https://www.diy.com/departments/aggregate-industries-dense-concrete-block-l-440mm-w-100mm-h-215mm/35854_BQ.prd be ok for an 8ft by 10ft shed?

If it was soft ground then dense concrete blocks would be good for load spreading, but since you already have a concrete base then most of the material of a concrete block would serve no purpose whatsoever.  'Breeze blocks' or aerated blocks would be the completely wrong product to use in this situation.

You'd be better off using bricks, ideally engineering bricks as these are more resistant to moisture than standard bricks and concrete blocks.  If you stand the shed on engineering bricks it is unlikely you'll need to use DPM as well - and personally I'd avoid using DPM in any event as it can catch rain which then pools on the top surface keeping the wood immersed in water until it all evaporates. Make sure the bricks are positioned well under the shed (not right at the edge) so rain runs off the shed wall onto the ground, not onto the tops of the bricks.

On the other hand, the floors of most cheap sheds are total rubbish - you risk spending a disproportionate amount of money on blocks and DPM to 'protect' wood which will fail anyway.  Personally I'd spend the money on buying treated 4x2" and giving it a good soaking with the nastist wood preservative you can obtain (probably this - https://www.diy.com/departments/bartoline-light-brown-matt-fencing-sheds-trellis-creocote-wood-treatment-4l/708929_BQ.prd ) and then screw the shed base onto them tightly, so they act as bearers.  You'll end up with a floor which is less springy - and although the wood won't last forever, it probably will outlive the shed.