Sheds are mostly stand-alone structures for storing equipment, so they’ll encounter strong winds. As a result, sheds must be built properly and anchored even stronger to withstand the pressure.
Everything anyone uses to build their garden shed should be stable versions so the shed doesn’t crumble or get blown away under pressure.
Anyone who has built a shed before will agree that anchoring the shed is one of the most important tasks affecting the structure’s strength and durability.
While using quality materials to build the shed is important, setting the base and structural support posts is just as important.
Shed anchors come in different forms and styles depending on choice. There are wooden, metal, and even concrete anchors supporting the shed.
Builders typically place these anchors around the edges to better support the shed. However, no matter the type of anchor the builder chooses, securing it to the ground is essential.
The next question on anyone’s lips would be how to secure these anchors. Like fence posts, there are several ways to set the post without concrete. However, concrete is one of the most durable ways to set posts, including shed posts.
Garden sheds come in various sizes and shapes, but a thing they all have in common is the posts made from different materials. These posts require a solid base to stay strong, no matter the winds or pressure. Anchoring the post in concrete is a good way to secure the shed.
Many people know concrete is one of the best ways to secure their sheds. However, not many know how to do it. This piece vividly illustrates how to anchor the shed in concrete to get the durability you seek.
Why Do You Need to Anchor Your Shed?
Before we see steps to anchor the shed in concrete, it is helpful to know why all of this is essential in the first place. Why can you not build your shed and forego anchoring? Besides, some people are doing it.
1. For Strength and Stability
One of the foremost reasons builders anchor sheds is to make them stable and strong. Some sheds, especially smaller ones, will shake, vibrate and even move when they open their doors. Anchoring the shed makes it stable and keeps it in the same position.
2. For Protection Against Strong Winds and Water
Many people feel keeping heavy equipment like snow blowers, and table saws in their garden shed will prevent it from being blown or washed away.
Unfortunately, they cannot be farther away from the truth as we’ve seen instances with bigger structures floating in the water or their parts scattered by the wind.
Anchoring the shed to the ground is a good way to protect it against outside pressures. It is especially important in areas with a lot of rainfall, thunderstorms, winds, and the occasional flooding.
3. For Safety
The safety of everyone around a shed is compromised if it is not properly anchored. In addition, if strong winds damage it, its parts can go ahead to spoil other structures around and even people.
Securing the shed firmly to the ground becomes even more vital when you have electricity connected to the shed, as damage to this structure can lead to even bigger issues stemming from the exposed wires.
The government understands the safety implications of not anchoring, which is why laws lead us to the next point.
4. To Meet Local Building Regulations
Building regulations guide different localities. These regulations help to improve the safety of the owner and all those around the structure.
The regulations vary from place to place, but they share similar guidelines. For example, some are mandatory anchoring for all sheds, specific types of anchoring, and more.
These regulations tend to change from time to time to reflect the changing times, so it is best to regularly check with the local regulators to see what new changes there may be. In addition, most places have huge fines for people who flout these rules.
5. For Insurance Purposes
Insurance costs have risen over the years, with insurance companies mandating property owners, especially stand-alone sheds, to secure their structures. Insurance covers any damage to the shed and those caused by the shed when the shed is anchored properly.
Steps to Anchoring Shed in Concrete
There is so much information on the internet about anchoring sheds in concrete because of how popular it is. However, it’s challenging to find a clear step-by-step process on how to anchor to concrete. This section helps to put this problem to bed.
1. New Shed Installation
The process of anchoring the shed in concrete is slightly different for new and old installations. Follow these steps when anchoring for a shed that is yet to be constructed:
Step 1: Build a Concrete Slab
Building a concrete slab across the proposed shed area serves two purposes. One, it provides a solid base for access to the shed, including carrying heavy equipment, and two, it anchors the posts.
Building a slab requires marking the spot and clearing the area. Remove the top layer of the soil so the slab can sit on solid ground. Make a temporary wooden frame around the marked spot to the required height of the concrete slab.
Mix gravel, sand, cement, and water correctly and pour in the cleared area. Fill the slab till it reaches the desired height.
Step 2: Install Galvanized Anchor Bolts
Before the concrete cures, install ½ x 6 galvanized anchor bolts to the slab’s perimeter, ensuring they are about 12 inches or less from the corners. These bolts are sometimes called J or L bolts because of their curves at the ends.
Use long bolts and ensure enough is above the concrete so there’s room for the washer and plate. Ensure there are at least 6 inches between bolts when installing. Once the concrete cures, these installations are permanent.
Step 3: Setup
Place the bottom plate or sill plate on the bolts and mark the spots for drilling holes so the bolts can pass through. Next, remove the bottom plates and drill holes in all the marked spots.
Place a barrier like polyurethane caulking or a bead along the slab perimeter to prevent direct contact with the wood. This will prolong the lifespan of the wood since moisture will not easily reach the wood.
Pressure-heated lumber is an ideal type of wood for bottom plates since they are strong and durable.
Add the washer and nuts before fastening the bolt securely. From here, you can go ahead to build your shed.
2. New Shed on Elevated Post Bases
Some people prefer to have their shed on elevated post Bases away from the concrete. This guide covers such specific needs.
Step 1: Build Concrete Slab
Build the concrete slab across the full shed area like you would normally. Clear the area and fig up the top soil before installing a temporary wooden frame. Fill up with concrete and pat down to get a flat surface.
Step 2: Install Post Base Anchors and Align
Before the concrete cures, install post base anchors at the slab’s perimeter. Align the anchors, so they are upright. A poorly aligned anchor will cause the shed to tighten to one side and reduce its stability.
Step 3: Secure Posts
When concrete is dried, insert the shed posts into the installed post base anchors and fasten them with screws. This will hold the posts firmly and allow you to build your shed.
3. Already Built Shed With Concrete Floors But No Anchors
Some sheds are built without anchors, which leaves them exposed. For sheds built without anchors but have a concrete slab, anyone can anchor it to the concrete by following these steps:
Step 1: Drill Bottom Plate and Concrete
To install a ½” ×7″ concrete expansion anchor, you’ll need a ⅝” wood drill bit. Carefully drill the wood, ensuring to stop about 1/32″ before leaving the wood, as using a wood drill bit on concrete can damage the bit.
Next, use a ½” concrete bit attached to a hammer drill to drill about 5″ into the concrete.
Step 2: Setup
Clean the holes of any dirt, dust, or debris from drilling. Next, pass the concrete expansion anchor through the wood and concrete. Finally, insert bolts and tighten them using a socket wrench.
Also Read: 23 Amazing 10×16 Shed Plans
4. New Shed With Existing Concrete Slab
Sometimes there is a pre-existing concrete slab on the location of the shed. Anchoring can be done in this condition if you follow these steps:
Step 1: Mark the Concrete
Mark spots on the concrete perimeter where the bolts will go. Typically, the bolts should be about 12″ or less from the end of the slab and close to the corner studs if you want to hold it down with anchors.
Step 2: Drill the Concrete
Attach a ½” concrete drill bit to a hammer drill and drill the concrete on the marked spots.
Drill the depth to about 5″ and the width to the diameter of the concrete expansion anchor. Ensure the drill is perpendicular to the concrete slab to avoid making holes that will slant.
Step 3: Clean Holes and Pass Expansion Anchor Into the Concrete
Clean the holes using a vacuum or compressed air to remove dust and debris. Gently pass the concrete expansion anchors into the holes. Ensure dirt does not enter the tube while tapping it inside the concrete.
Step 4: Setup
Install a still gasket on the slab’s perimeter to serve as a barrier between the wood and the concrete, or use pressure-treated wood.
Moisture from the concrete can easily damage the wood, so a barrier is ideal. Next, place the plate and mark the holes to match those drilled in the concrete below.
Drill the holes on the plate and stand it on the anchors. Use bolts and place washers and nuts for fastening with a wrench.
Tips to Anchor Shed in Concrete
Here are some tips to guide anyone seeking to anchor their shed in concrete:
- Concrete expansion anchors are essential for pre-existing concrete slabs
- Both wood and concrete drill bits are vital for some anchoring
- Always alight and measure the bolts or post base anchor in the concrete before it cures, as the builder cannot make adjustments after
Read More: Free DIY 10×12 Shed Plans
Summary
Durability and stability are essential for outside structures like the shed. Sheds are exposed to a lot of pressure from strong winds and water. Securing the posts in concrete is a sure way to improve their stability.
There are several ways to do this, each way peculiar to certain conditions like pre-existing slabs and sheds, among other things.
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