DIY Builds
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How do you lay a plastic shed base on uneven ground?

From experience, the simplest way to build shed bases on uneven ground it to use a foundation of blocks, ideally concrete. This way, to compensate for higher or lower ground on one side you can add or remove blocks to make a level base.

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When purchasing a shed, you firstly need a base. For most people, that is no issue due to a flat garden. However, some gardens are not always flat and have gradients, that’s when installing shed bases becomes a little trickier. From experience, the simplest way to build shed bases on uneven ground it to use a foundation of blocks, ideally concrete. This way, to compensate for higher or lower ground on one side you can add or remove blocks to make a level base.

Tools Required -

Spade

Measuring tape

Masonry Blocks

Pea Gravel

Treated Timber Planks

Marking posts

ribbon

Building a shed base on uneven ground

Firstly, start by marking out how big your shed is, this way you can be accurate as to where to place blocks. Use posts and position in the square using ribbon to keep in line. Take your spade and gently dig the top layer attempting to get the ground as flat as possible. Clear any excess soil to one side. Now, take a measuring tape and measure 4 rows of 3 blocks, this will create efficient weight distribution. Underneath each block, dig approximately 2 inches wider than your blocks and around 6 inches deep and fill the hole with pea gravel until it gives a flat surface. The pea gravel acts as a water distribution method but maintains vigour. Take your timber planks and place them along the rows of blocks and measure how flat it is. From there you can add or remove blocks if there is a serious height issue. If its a matter of minor size difference, grab some pieces of shingle and place underneath the timber post until its completely level. Continue to do this until all 4 posts are level and level with each other. Once you are happy that your shed base is level, you can continue to place your shed base on top. Start from one end and nail or screw the base on top of your timber panels, This will produce a rigid and sturdy overall base for you the place your shed on top of. Without a flat surface, your shed will not be able to function properly and can break, damaging you and your items inside and also, your wallet. Constructing, a flat shed base, even if it is on uneven ground, is incredibly important. If you'd like to know how to build a wooden base, take a look at our video below: Remember, many of our wooden sheds can be used in conjunction with wooden bases; these are listed in the 'Essential Extras' tab on the product pages.

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What do you put under a plastic shed base?

From any good builders merchant, you can buy these materials; Angular gravel or crushed aggregate which is used to create a sub-base. Decorative gravel is used to fill the shed base once it has been laid. Sharp sand is used to level off the sub-base to make sure the base will be stood on level ground.

Preparing The Ground

Ground preparation is a crucial part of installing a plastic shed base, without the correct preparation the benefits such as permeability will not be as effective. So, first of all, you need to decide where your shed will be going on your garden or allotment. Once you have decided, measure out the base and outline this in the turf. Next, remove the existing turf and soil from within the outlined area down to a depth of around 70mm and dispose of the waste responsibly. Digging down to 70mm allows for the base to sit flush with the remaining turf once the installation is complete. With the area now clear, lay down the sheet of membrane and secure it into the ground using the provided metal pins. The membrane is used to stop weeds from growing up through the base but still allows water to drain away naturally. Finally, on top of the secured membrane, a bedding layer of between 5mm-20mm angular gravel or crushed aggregate approximately 30mm deep needs to be laid and compacted down very well to ensure the surface is level and hard. If the sub-base needs a little more material to level it out then we suggest using some sharp sand.

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