When constructing a garden shed, it is highly important to make sure that it is built on a firm and level basement. So, whether you are planning to buy a prefabricated shed or to build one on site, you need to construct a basement first.
And the first step is to choose a proper location for your shed. It should be level, away from walls and fences as well as from large trees and bushes. Make sure you shed will not be located in a low area where water will be gathering when it rains.
Mark the area where you are going to build your garden shed. Use pegs and string to do this. Pull off all the weeds and plants within market area. Remove all stones, branches and other unnecessary objects. You need to make sure that your future basement will be square. To do this measure its diagonals and make sure they are equal. You could also check the angles with a try square and make sure that they are at ninety degrees.
No you need to choose what type of foundation you are going to construct. If you are planning to have a large garden shed, then a concrete basement is probably the best option for you. To make a concrete foundation you need to dig the ground in the market area to the depth of about six inches. Put hardcore, gravel or broken stones into it. The layer should be about 3 inches thick. Level the gravel using a rake; now remove the pegs and the string.
Afterwards you need to create a frame for the concrete. You will need four wooden rails or steel shutters. Fit them around the perimeter of your future basement. The concrete will be placed on top of the gravel or broken stones. Once again make sure that your basement is square by measuring its diagonals. Make sure it is completely level as well.
Now you are ready to lay about three inches of concrete. There are several ways of producing concrete. You could use dry mixed concrete and add small amounts of water to it. You could also mix one part of cement with five parts of ballast and then add water. Try not to put too much water into the mix. This may make the resulting concrete weaker.
Spread the concrete within the shuttering. Do not forget the corners. It is recommended to lay a layer of concrete at a time. You need to add layers until your shuttering frame is full. Make sure the top layer is level.
Now you could cover concrete and let it dry naturally. It is no good if concrete dries too fast. So, you might need to spray it with water if the weather is too hot and sunny.
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