It's that time of year when everyone starts to venture back out into the garden only to find that their shed base has gone past the point of repair. Timber bases are designed to last for up to 5 – 10 years so it's quite common for these to fail before the shed. This means it's sometimes necessary to replace the base before the shed.
Quick guide on how to install a timber shed base
You will need:
- A Spirit level
- A Mallet Hammer or Sledge Hammer
- A line with pegs (for marking out)
- Landscape Barrier cover (to prevent the weeds coming through)
- Pea Shingle (to keep the landscape barrier in place)
- Shed Base to suit the size of your current shed
- Screws suitable for exterior use
- A friend to help
Removing your old shed
Installing a shed base is definitely a job for dry weather as you'll need to find alternative accommodation for all the sheds contents. If it's good weather just lay a ground sheet in alternate spot and start moving out. Once done you'll need to take the shed off it's original base. Typically the shed panels are screwed or nailed into the base. Start by taking off the roof, this is done by removing the original shed felt to expose the original fixings, which will need to be removed. Once these are out take the roof off in the separated panels taking care not to break any of the panels, as these will need to go back in the same position once the base is in place. Once the roof is off, remove the 4 panels of the shed, again these will be either screwed or delivered to the base.
Once all the shed panels are removed you should be able to see the damaged areas of the shed base and floor. Keep any good floor timber for use again once the base is in position.
Once you've saved any good timber remove the old base, put in a skip or take to your council tip.
Put your new base together
Timber shed bases normally come in kit form. They're typically easy to put together using exterior screws. Lay the outside bearer down first then fit on the longest bearers across the frame before finally screwing in the cross bearers. Once the frame is complete put it in position and mark out with the pegs. The loading pegs normally sit inside the peg frame, so tightly hammer these into position in the ground. You may wish to concrete your loading pegs into the ground, If your shed carries heavy items this could be a good idea. Once your pegs are in position remove the frame.
Getting a level Shed Base
With all your pegs in position it's time to find your levels. Always take your level from the lowest point of the base, then with your spirit level, mark out a level on each of the pegs to ensure you base is level. Put a nail in the line of the level, tie some string around the nail and do the same for all of the pegs. This will be the level of your shed base. Then, with the help of your friend, put the shed frame over the pegs and screw into position as marked out by the string.
Putting the floor back in place
Once your base frame is secure re apply any of the previous good floorboards to the new board where needed. It's a good idea at this stage to treat your new floor with a wood reserve to ensure to extend the life of the old and new wood.
Reapply the shed to the new base
At this stage you'll be able to put your old panels and roof back in place. It's a good idea to replace any roofing felt at this stage. Again, as you're panels are down it's a good idea to apply any timber treatment at this stage.