Investing in a backyard storage shed is one of the best decisions you can make as it will increase both the usefulness and monetary value of your property. However, before your storage shed arrives at your property, you need to consider certain factors for proper ground preparation and installation of the shed or cabin. Once you decide whether you need a base for your storage shed or not, the next step is to prepare the shed’s ground – this is not a complex job. To ensure an efficient and painless job, you need to use good quality tools, durable materials, and proper planning.
But you need to avoid making some common mistakes during the ground preparation of the shed installation to prevent any issues in the future. If you are thinking about hiring a site preparation contractor for this purpose, you need to make sure that they are experienced and aware of these potential issues.
Read this blog to learn about the four common mistakes you need to avoid during ground preparation for your storage shed.
Shed Is Placed Too Close To Your Property Lines
Make sure you double-check whether your storage shed’s desired location falls relatively near your property lines. Most areas have specific requirements for how far away your shed needs to be from its property lines. Ensure that you should check them before installing your shed. Local regulations in Canada require you to ensure at least a 5-10 feet distance from the rear or sides between any structure such as a fence or a shed and your property line.
For instance, in the Edmonton and surrounding Alberta region, houses are generally required to be 19.7 feet away from the front and 3.9 feet away from the side of the property line. However, this required distance may change depending on overlay and zoning schedules. You should inquire about the requirements directly from your local zoning office to avoid any conflicts.
Shed Site Is On A Low-Lying Ground
Placing your shed in near low-lying or swampy areas on your property will result in a flooded-shed – this is an outcome you want to avoid. You should choose a high, well-drained area on your property and proceed with the ground preparation process.
Building your storage shed in a wet or moist area can have several negative consequences, even if you manage to keep your storage cabin or shed from flooding. For one, the build-up of excessive moisture can cause your shed to deteriorate due to rotting.
In addition to this, wet areas promote the growth of mold and mildew on buildings. Lastly, the soft ground makes maneuvering lawn equipment a time-consuming and challenging job.
Ground Beneath Your Shed Is Not Leveled Properly
If you were to install your storage shed in your backyard without ensuring that the ground it is laying on is properly leveled, your storage shed could be off-level. This can put a lot of strain on the structural frame, which it is not designed to withstand.
Also, a steep slope due to improper leveling will cause anything with wheels to roll around in your shed. You can seek help from your local storage shed builder in Alberta to help you with this.
Using Concrete Blocks For Ground Preparation
Although it’s a common suggestion, placing your storage shed only on concrete blocks is probably not an ideal ground preparation technique. One major reason you should avoid using concrete blocks under your shed is that they will not support your shed evenly. Even if you somehow manage to level all the blocks perfectly before you install your shed, with time, the concrete blocks will shift and settle at different rates. This can cause unnecessary strain on your storage shed’s framing, causing it to deteriorate much faster.
Eventually, you may either end up with a storage shed that is leaning to one side, or the uneven strain on the structure’s frame can cause doors and windows to bind, making it difficult to open and close them.
To put it simply, you need to plan to avoid these mistakes when preparing the ground for your shed, doing so will ensure that your storage shed lasts a long time. If you think that you cannot tackle this task properly yourself, you have the option to hire a professional contractor to prepare the site for your storage shed.
About Stahl Structures
Stahl Structures offers a wide range of portable storage options to its clients in Alberta. These premium storage options include modular buildings, cabins, storage sheds, garden sheds, portable workshops, offices, and more. If you have any further queries about our services, visit our website or contact us here today.