Garden shed concrete pad

Shiftworker

Hi,

I purchased a Steeltech garden shed 10ft x 7ft and will need to pour a concrete pad to support it.

10ft x 7ft x 4in.

I am a beginner when it comes to concrete. I've been doing some research and watching YouTube videos etc.

Question is has anyone tried this DIY and what was your experience?

Is this a job for the professionals and how does the financial / time cost work out to do the job considering hiring mixer and tools etc?

Thanks in advance

ronn

You need to decide is it accessible can a cement mixer get near it and pour in cement, you'll need about 6inchs of hardcore and 6inchs of cement, are you putting electricity and water in if so you'll have to run the pipes for them,

M.T.D

That seems a lot of concrete for a smallish shed.


A 6"x4" concrete ring with gravel and flags, or lay 3 to 4" of concrete for the floor.
Or if your ground is at a slope or wet a 6"x6" foundation and a 2 brick high wall to raise the floor level, then fill with gravel/concrete.
Using the retaining ring/wall makes isolating the floor from the ground with a dpm much easier.

For garden tools and lawn mower etc. I found the gravel and flags more than adequate.

Shiftworker

ronn wrote: »

You need to decide is it accessible can a cement mixer get near it and pour in cement, you'll need about 6inchs of hardcore and 6inchs of cement, are you putting electricity and water in if so you'll have to run the pipes for them,

Access through side entrance so no possibility of getting a truck near it, it will have to be a portable mixer. I plan to keep garden stuff and my tools inside so don't plan any water / sewage. I will run an electricity supply though.

James Bond Junior

Shiftworker wrote: »

Access through side entrance so no possibility of getting a truck near it, it will have to be a portable mixer. I plan to keep garden stuff and my tools inside so don't plan any water / sewage. I will run an electricity supply though.

I have that exact setup and have water running to it. You'd be surprised how handy it is to have the option of running you washing machine or similar in your shed. If it's not too much hassle I'd run water into it too.

Shiftworker

M.T.D wrote: »

That seems a lot of concrete for a smallish shed.


A 6"x4" concrete ring with gravel and flags, or lay 3 to 4" of concrete for the floor.
Or if your ground is at a slope or wet a 6"x6" foundation and a 2 brick high wall to raise the floor level, then fill with gravel/concrete.
Using the retaining ring/wall makes isolating the floor from the ground with a dpm much easier.

For garden tools and lawn mower etc. I found the gravel and flags more than adequate.

That's interesting, must check out with the provider of the shed, they gave me plans to follow so not sure if I design to different standard will I void my 20 year guarantee(that point is probably for a different forum)

The ground itself is undusturbed grass area, there was a tree there which I removed last year including root ball(haven't removed roots yet) I plan to scrape off grass and compact some hardcore before pouring.

Shiftworker

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I have that exact setup and have water running to it. You'd be surprised how handy it is to have the option of running you washing machine or similar in your shed. If it's not too much hassle I'd run water into it too.

You are right, I would only have to run water supply and 2 inch waste section and leave bottle ended outside the slab to future proof the shed. I will certainly consider that. Thanks

Shiftworker

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I have that exact setup and have water running to it. You'd be surprised how handy it is to have the option of running you washing machine or similar in your shed. If it's not too much hassle I'd run water into it too.

Did you install the slab yourself, could you tell me a little about your experience?
Thanks

homewardbound11

Steel tech sheds have a installation list on their web page .

You can pour a flat bed of concrete but there will be a second pour of 40 mm on top of a dpc for a finished floor .
I think their page has a 100 mm pour .

bonzodog2

Shiftworker wrote: »

Access through side entrance so no possibility of getting a truck near it, it will have to be a portable mixer. I plan to keep garden stuff and my tools inside so don't plan any water / sewage. I will run an electricity supply though.

A neighbour in a previous house barrowed in premix from a truck outside for a similar situation. For some reason the shed (also steeltech) never appeared though.
If you do consider putting a washing machine in there, think about where the waste water will go.

James Bond Junior

Shiftworker wrote: »

Did you install the slab yourself, could you tell me a little about your experience?
Thanks

I bought the house with it already installed so can't say really. Sorry.

Shiftworker

If I were to buy ready mixed concrete I could just barrow it from the lorry in the front garden through the side entrance. I could get the driver to mix it how I wanted and wouldn't need to hire a mixer.

I need about one cubic yard of concrete, what is the likelihood that they will deliver such a small load?

Boaty

Keep in mind that they won't stay there all day while you barrow it in, you'll need two if not three people with barrows and one person spreading.

Shiftworker

Boaty wrote: »

Keep in mind that they won't stay there all day while you barrow it in, you'll need two if not three people with barrows and one person spreading.

Thanks

Allah snackbar

Shiftworker wrote: »

If I were to buy ready mixed concrete I could just barrow it from the lorry in the front garden through the side entrance. I could get the driver to mix it how I wanted and wouldn't need to hire a mixer.

I need about one cubic yard of concrete, what is the likelihood that they will deliver such a small load?

A 10 foot by 7 foot by 4 inch square of concrete is only .6 of a metre approx , that's about 12 barrows of concrete , I can't see any suppliers sending out that much without charging for a part load if at all

woodturner

Pour a rebated slab. This will prevent rain from blowing into the shed at the ground.

Shiftworker

Allah snackbar wrote: »

A 10 foot by 7 foot by 4 inch square of concrete is only .6 of a metre approx , that's about 12 barrows of concrete , I can't see any suppliers sending out that much without charging for a part load if at all

Thanks for that, yeah it makes sense, such a small load would probably only be possible if I knew a driver with a small surplus he was willing to part with

Shiftworker

I plan to pour the base over a hardcore layer, then, when the shed is installed, I will put a DPM down and apply a 40mm screed surface.

Should I or is there a need to also put a DPM under the main slab between it and the hardcore?

Thanks again