My son who lives in Fort Wayne, IN has a shed that keeps sinking, mostly one corner. It was inlarged a few years ago, now I think it is 10' X 16'. It has a wood floor and is very nice. but the one corner keeps sinking. Is there an easy fix or any suggestions that might help. It's very frusterating. The ground I think is clay. Thanks!
It's difficult to know what to do without more information about the structure and in particular the foundation under the shed particularly in that corner. There is some reason that causes that corner to settle and it may be the supporting timbers on the shed in that corner are rotten or have deteriorated, the soil in that area may be different than the other areas and compact more, or the footing in that corner that the shed rests on has failed. These things need to be examined before we can adequately offer a solution.
Having a picture or 2 of the problem and posting them with more information would make it much easier to get the assistance you desire. The pictures should be in jpg format to post properly on this site.
first reaction I've got is you're right where I was with my shed last year.
I raised it, found rotten stringers on the ground and the west wall shot from leaks, found peaty swampland underneath, and poured in a bunch of gravel and some concrete pavers, fixed the crud, rebuilt the west wall, and dropped it on a block foundation.
if I had it to do over again, I'd have gotten some dollies and heavy planks for tracks, moved it to the side, and dug out the swamp and packed in crushed rock with a plate compactor, because it sank another inch after setting it down. then it went stable, and has stayed that way a year and a half.
start by using a blade screwdriver to see if any of the shed wood is punky, or if there is smell of rot. my shed was salvageable for $1000, saving $3000 over replacement. yours might not be. there is a number beyond which you would be better off compacting a good base and rebuilding. size, location, use, etc. will all factor into generating that number.
with a clay base on a shallow riverbank, as Ft. Wayne sorta is, I'd dig deep and put in casement pillars of concrete for a foundation. that's probably soil like my hometown in Fargo, and stuff slides away there as the clay slides from wet and dry unless you build for it.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,
sig: if this is a new economy, how come they still want my old-fashioned money?
Without poring concrete footings for the piers or blocks to sit on the buildings going to shift. Look up Farm jack on the net or pick one up at Wal-Mart in the automotive area or at Northern Tool. It will lift and hold the shed while the footings being pored.
joecaption
Posts: 10870 | Location: Halieford VA | Registered: Jan 31, 2004
