From This Old House.
In this video, when a couple needed a bit more storage, they decided on a ready-to-assemble shed. Unfortunately, their yard wasn’t ready-for-installation, so mason Mark McCullough headed over to help them install a gravel shed foundation. Here’s how to do it.
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Where to find it?
Shed: Tuff Shed – Custom Premier Tall Ranch 8’x6’ [https://www.tuffshed.com/products/#/details/Premier%20Tall%20Ranch/]
Before building a shed base, check city setback requirements [https://call811.com/811-In-Your-State] to find the distance the shed must be away from property lines and the house.
Use a tape measure [https://homedepot.sjv.io/ZdrRX] and flags [https://homedepot.sjv.io/55jNXn] or spray paint to measure and mark the shed base’s placement. Using shovels [https://homedepot.sjv.io/MAQLrJ] and a wheelbarrow [https://homedepot.sjv.io/B0eJB4], dig out the base area about 4-6" deep. Mark used a sledgehammer [https://homedepot.sjv.io/5g0yV1] to break up some concrete and rocks that were in the way. Compact the soil with hand tampers [https://homedepot.sjv.io/R5YjLy] or rent a plate compactor [https://homedepot.sjv.io/zxjVAr] from a local tool rental company. Use a hose [https://homedepot.sjv.io/Oe1xkW] to spray water in the area to help with compaction. Heavy-duty landscape fabric [https://homedepot.sjv.io/QjKQkP] was added to separate the soil from the gravel.
The wood frame was made from 4×6 ground contact rated pressure treated wood [https://homedepot.sjv.io/APKN4j]. Lumber can be cut to size by using a circular saw [https://homedepot.sjv.io/xLndEk] with a wood blade. Secure the frame by using a drill [https://homedepot.sjv.io/0ZvByE] and 8” structural wood screws [https://homedepot.sjv.io/LKDkaO]. Use a speed square [https://homedepot.sjv.io/POaGjq] to keep the corners at a 90-degree angle. Use a level [https://homedepot.sjv.io/LXoq5O] to make sure the frame is level.
Add crushed gravel [https://homedepot.sjv.io/vP2aAd] and spread out with metal rakes [https://homedepot.sjv.io/APKNxo] and shovels. About 1 ton of gravel was used for this project. A 2×4 was used to level out the gravel by laying it across the frame and shimmying it back and forth across the base. Repeat the process for the length and width. Hand tampers and water were used to compact the gravel. Use a fine metal rake to give the gravel one more once over to get rid of any larger rocks that may be at the top.
Extra assistance provided by Motor City Grounds Crew [https://www.mcgroundscrew.org/].
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Materials:
Landscape fabric [https://homedepot.sjv.io/QjKQkP]
Flags [https://homedepot.sjv.io/55jNXn]
Landscape timbers [https://homedepot.sjv.io/APKN4j]
Timber screws [https://homedepot.sjv.io/LKDkaO]
Gravel [https://homedepot.sjv.io/vP2aAd]
Tools:
You may want to rent a plate compactor [https://homedepot.sjv.io/zxjVAr] at Home Depot.
Tape measure [https://homedepot.sjv.io/ZdrRX]
Spade shovel [https://homedepot.sjv.io/MAQLrJ]
Sledgehammer [https://homedepot.sjv.io/5g0yV1]
Wheelbarrow [https://homedepot.sjv.io/B0eJB4]
Garden hose [https://homedepot.sjv.io/Oe1xkW]
Impact driver [https://homedepot.sjv.io/0ZvByE]
Speed square [https://homedepot.sjv.io/POaGjq]
Level [https://homedepot.sjv.io/LXoq5O]
Steel rake [https://homedepot.sjv.io/APKNxo]
Screed board [https://homedepot.sjv.io/o4n9mO]
Tamper [https://homedepot.sjv.io/R5YjLy]
About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
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How to Make a Gravel Shed Foundation | Ask This Old House
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