Concrete Slab for Shed?

Question

I need to pour a concrete foundation for a 10X10 shed. Where do I begin?
How thick should it be? Should I use rebar for such a small job?
I have no idea where to start or what to do…
Please help!!!

Answer 1

With no offense to others who answer, it's a Shed. Certainly you can use rebar, but as one answer states if you have good drainage, and hopefully a decent sub soil base, 4 inches of concrete is adequate without heavy duty reinforcing.

I guess I'd suggest you know what the soil base is, and perhaps add crushed lime rock, as most highway contractors do in road building; Frame the 100 sq. ft, and pour.

The space should be as square and as level as possible, but again, it's a "shed"

Steven Wolf
(The Rev)
Also A_Lone.Wolf

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

First, there are other ways than a full slab to provide a foundation for an outdoor shed.

Flooring options are explained at home depot in the building section as well as a free handout telling you the specifications you will need for the size and according to the weight of the items to be stored.

This hand out will even tell you how much concrete you'll need if you choose to pour a full slab and how and where to put the underground piers if necessary.

If you choose a slab, I would (from experience) get a licensed contractor. Do a lot of calling and asking around to get the best price, since this Will vary in a huge way. Good luck!

Answer 4

Les the Painter has the right idea. A much easier and less labor intense way to do it, is to have the shed placed on top of a 10 x 10 slab of "Crush and Run", which is gravel and rock dust mixed. It is used on major highway beds and under many footings and foundations.
A dump truck comes and spreads the material leaving you very litte work to do. Then you can put the shed on top of it, using as Les did, treated lumber.
The problem with a concrete slab is multiple. Freezing can lift it and crack it, it is considered a permanent improvement which can raise your property taxes.
My calculations to do the slab, concludes it would take two cubic yards, at 4" thick with a 12" x 8" haunch. You would have to excavate that two cubic yards and dispose of it, purchase 2x4s for the perimeter forms plus some 1/2" rebar.(steel reinforcing rods). A way to "screed" it, and finish trowel or broom sweep the top surface.
I'm sorry if I sound like I'm putting the kabosh on the slab, but as an experienced DIY, I would not attempt it myself. There are too many guys out there that would do it for practically nothing. They have all of the tools you would have to buy or rent.

Answer 5

Concrete Shed Foundation

Answer 6

I bought 2 sheds 10by 20 ft over 20 yrs ago, they are constructed on pressure treated 4 by 4's and are still like the day i bought them and I live in new england where the weather changes as we speak, what I did was put them on a bed of 4" thick 3/4 inch crushed stone with 4 by 4's holding that in place, looks great and easy landscaping, good luck

Answer 7

make sure the ground is level before you start. one 80 pound bag of QuikCrete poured at 4 inches think will cover 1 square foot. I would make it at least 4 inches thick. You can use Hog Fencing for reinforcement. You can get this at Lowe's or Home Depot (pretty much any do-it-youreself place). You really do not need rebar for such a small job. It needs to be pretty thick if you are going to park your car or lawnmover on it. Also, you dont to add a lot of water to the powder concrete to pour a slab. It will cure faster if you do not. It should be the consistancey of gloppy mud when you pour it. anywas good luck and i hope this helped. ~peace~

Answer 8

You might want to call the city and see if they require a rat wall. This is one of the reasons why my shed is still on dirt and not concrete.

When you put up a shed it tends to hold in heat which inturn heats the cement and creates a nice living enviroment for rats that like to burrow under the cement.

By putting in a rat wall you have to dig I believe a 24 inch trench around the entire area to prevent rats from digging under the concrete and making a nest.

You basically want to be 4 inches thick, then you need to prep the surface by putting in a layer of sand. Rebar is not necessary.

Answer 9

If you have good draining soil such as sand or gravel, then you just need a 4" slab with rebar in it. You might want to make the perimeter a little thicker 6" to 8" deep by 12" to 16" wide to support the structure. This is called a "haunch". It is acceptable by building codes. If you do the haunch you only need rebar around the perimeter.

Answer 10

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/QdtQr
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.