Greenhouses, Sheds and Sun Rooms - Anchor shed to cement?

In my reading, it looks like the best way to anchor my shed to the cement slab is to use anchor bolts. That isn't a problem, except I don't know anyone that has a cement drill that I can borrow, and I don't want to rent one just to punch like 10 holes.

So I have two questions. One, is there a way that I can insert the bolts into the cement as I pour it? So that they set in the cement, then I can just drill the holes in my frame, set it on top, and bolt it down? That would seem to be the most secure method anyway.

Two, how far apart should I bolt it down? Is two bolts per side of the shed enough? Or do I need more?

Thanks.

Check with your codes office, but 2 per side, equally spaced should be fine. And, heck yes, put 'em in when the concrete is poured. Get "L" bolts at any hardware or box store. Make sure you don't put them where a stud will land, and set them in the center of what your sill plate width will be.

Check with your codes office, but 2 per side, equally spaced should be fine. And, heck yes, put 'em in when the concrete is poured. Get "L" bolts at any hardware or box store. Make sure you don't put them where a stud will land, and set them in the center of what your sill plate width will be.

Awesome! Sorry, layman here, by "sill plate" you mean my pressure treated 2x4? And should I put anything under the frame to seal it to the cement for water proofing? I plan on hanging the siding over the edge of the cement.

Nope..no seal..its a shed. Doubt if its req'd by yer area. If you want, and I have, put a couple of big beads of silicone caulk under your sill plates when you set them. And yes, sill plate is the part that contacts the concrete.

Another couple questions about cement. (This is my first time laying cement) I'm just going to be getting the cement from ConFab. They give you the cement in a mini-mixer, and you tow it yourself. Pretty easy and cheap. But it only carries 1 and 1/4 yards. I need 1 and 1/2. So I'm going to have to make 2 trips. Should I worry about the first bit drying too much before I get back with the second half?

Also, do I need to segment it at all? It's a 10' X 12' shed. Or can I just do it all in one big pad?

Thanks.

Hey in case anyone is interested, I've got the foundation and walls up, going to put on the roof this week, and thought I'd share my progress. http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/forumpics/doityourself/shed%20(4).jpg

Looks good...but have to ask, WTH is that behind yer shed?

Looks good...but have to ask, WTH is that behind yer shed?
You DON'T wanna know. My freaking neighbors built it. It is literally 6 inches from my fence. It's like some redneck home addition. Not connected to their house, they built it over time of about 2 years, with construction crap falling on my side of the fence all the time. The other side (the side THEY can see) is finished with siding and everything. Their boys have "soundproofed" one of the sections and practice their band in there till about 3 am every morning. It's not really sound proof. And I think a couple of their kids live in it. And all the crap they threw behind it during construction started pushing my fence over. It's now leaning over into my yard ready to fall down. (the fence I mean) If it weren't for the fact that I didn't want to make enemies with them, I'd call the code cops on them. (But I've also seen the code truck in front of their house a few times, so who knows?)

Jeez...lucky you! Kinda wondered about the age of the sheathing...you can tell part is much older than the rest.

Looks like a place we see on the way to Vegas from here. Pieces and parts from whatever construction site they can steal it from. Luckily its way out in the valley.

I think I'd have a bigger problem with it than you do. But I'm probably older and less tolerant...lol.

Yes, the newer looking sheathing wasn't put on till just recently. For most of the construction, that section was open, and was the part where they threw all their garbage, and the reason all of it got stuck next to the fence.

And I would probably throw a bigger stink about it if we planned on retiring here. We will probably live in this house for 7 or 8 more years, as we save up to build our retirement home. (I know, you're asking, why put so much effort into a shed you're only going to use for 7 or 8 years?) Well that will be 7 or 8 years of blissful storage space! And I like the learning experience, and it'll probably help sell the house. And their lot is by no means a reflection of the rest of the neighborhood. Their house is definitely the armpit of the neighborhood. Honestly, the only hope for that lot is if they moved out and someone came in and demolished the whole lot and built a new house on it.

Hey, just thought I'd throw a few more pics up of the latest progress.

Here's one right after we got the trusses up and began putting the sheathing on:
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/shed%20002%20(Medium).jpg

And here's one of the loft supports as I was putting the loft in:
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/shed%20003%20(Medium).jpg

And here's the latest pic I've got. This was taken last Saturday. Since then I've been putting shingles on the east side.
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/shed%20008%20(Medium).jpg

Sorry, I gotta brag my progress somewhere! I've started so many threads about different aspects of this shed, I didn't want to start another one to post my pics, so I just picked this one.

Looks like everything is moving along smoothly.

But can you please crop out that monstrosity next door in any more pics?! Jeez, I'm glad its you that has to look at it everyday.
LOL...j/k

Looks like everything is moving along smoothly.

But can you please crop out that monstrosity next door in any more pics?! Jeez, I'm glad its you that has to look at it everyday.
LOL...j/k

Lol, tell me about it. My coworker says I should paint a mural on it. But until then, will this do?
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/shed_sunset.jpg

Ahhhhhh I feel better already. Don't you wish you had that view while you're putting the shingles on?

Ahhhhhh I feel better already. Don't you wish you had that view while you're putting the shingles on?
If I had that view, I wouldn't need a shed, cause I'd be rich enough to hire slaves to do my yardwork.

ROTFLMAO!!!!

You guys are killing me!

Now if only I had constructed my shed to have straight edges! Darn sunset really brings out the imperfections! ;)

Thought I'd post an updated photo. I'm almost done. Just need to finish a little siding, and I'm done. I got the top half of the back wall to do, and then on the front, you can see I need a little more on the top, and the door.

http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/shed%20025%20(Large).jpg

Your door looks very nice!

Man, that door does look good. From the earlier descriptions, I couldn't picture it, but real nice!!! You should go into business!

And thanks for the better angle on the pic, no monstrosity. Now what are we going to do about that block chimney thing in the other yard!? lol

Man, that door does look good. From the earlier descriptions, I couldn't picture it, but real nice!!! You should go into business!

And thanks for the better angle on the pic, no monstrosity. Now what are we going to do about that block chimney thing in the other yard!? lol
Lol, no kidding! I'm surrounded by ugly buildings.

i hope for your sake the zoning people around you are willing to jump all over your neighbor, as what he has done will kill your property values

murphy was an optimist

i hope for your sake the zoning people around you are willing to jump all over your neighbor, as what he has done will kill your property values

murphy was an optimist

Yeah tell me about it. Unfortunately, I've seen the code cops at their house before, and they've done nothing about it, so who knows. However, the structures were there before I moved in, so I got the low price going in. Well, I guess the monstrosity wasn't finished when I moved in, but it was there. And the "cement chimney" you mentioned is actually part of a big cinder block building that was part of a dairy farm that used to be here before the development was built about 20 years ago.

Hey, I just realized it's been a few months now since I officially finished my shed, and I never posted any new pics or updates. This being my first real project, EVER, I'm quite proud of it (which, by the way, completely meets every city code. I checked.) Anyway, here are a few pics of the final project:

http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/p 006 (Large).jpg
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/p 007 (Large).jpg
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/p 008 (Large).jpg
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/p 010 (Large).jpg
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/p 011 (Large).jpg
http://www.packerworld.com/nate_personal/shed/p 012 (Large).jpg

Looks real good Dude....even more so since you say it was your first real project.

But we can't just let you off w/o a suggestion or 2, right?

Take a hand saw and cut those protruding corners off the gussets on the bottom braces of your workbench, before ya catch one in the head reaching for a dropped screwdriver ...lol

Oh, and do the exposed nails on the cap shingles have a dab of roof tar? It may just be the sun reflecting off in the pic.

just a thought but in my area (ontario canada) the eave of any building must be 3 feet fom the property line (( and in som e towns 8 feet)(in residential areas))

Paqman,

Looks great! How did you do your concrete pour...towable trailer and if so multiple loads? Did you complete it in one day or over a period of time?

I'm building the same size shed and was thinking of doing the towable trailer route as well.

Thanks

Looks real good Dude....even more so since you say it was your first real project.

But we can't just let you off w/o a suggestion or 2, right?

Take a hand saw and cut those protruding corners off the gussets on the bottom braces of your workbench, before ya catch one in the head reaching for a dropped screwdriver ...lol

Oh, and do the exposed nails on the cap shingles have a dab of roof tar? It may just be the sun reflecting off in the pic.

Of course, I'm always open to suggestions! As for the protruding corners, yes, I noticed them after a bit and have since cut them off. And yes, the exposed nails on the cap shingles do have roof tar on them. It's the clear stuff though, which is why they shine.


And billie_boy, you are right, the code is the same here. The corners of my shed are exactly 3 feet from the property line!


mmpov, the cement was quite a pain, but yes, I used the tow-yourself things, and did it in one load. Just exactly enough for my pad. But I did adjust my pad to be slightly thinner so I wouldn't have to do 2 loads. I can't remember the exact depth of my pad right now. But I think I used like 2 yards of cement.

The whole shed took me the entire summer to complete. I did the whole thing myself, with no plans or anything, so it took many weekends and evenings to complete.

Paqman,

Thanks. What were some of the challenges you faced in pouring the pad?

I know one is probably the weight of that trailer...need a big truck to pull that since 2yds is approx 8000#s plus the trailer weight. I have a Titan but no brake controller so that would be fun.

Did you manage to pour it by yourself or did you have help with that? Was it the trailer that made it difficult or the pour itself?

Thanks again

Paqman,

Thanks. What were some of the challenges you faced in pouring the pad?

I know one is probably the weight of that trailer...need a big truck to pull that since 2yds is approx 8000#s plus the trailer weight. I have a Titan but no brake controller so that would be fun.

Did you manage to pour it by yourself or did you have help with that? Was it the trailer that made it difficult or the pour itself?

Thanks again
Well in looking back in this post, I must have used only a yard and a quarter, because the weight of the trailer plus the cement was only about 6000 lbs. And my father in law's F150 was definitely puffing pretty hard to handle it. I had one friend helping, and one of the hardest parts was just maneuvering the trailer in my yard. And being the first real time I've laid cement, getting a smooth finish was a challenge. I should have gotten an extra long trowel to get that nice smooth finish rather than the broom method I used.

mmpov
Rent a bull float and extension handles when its time to pour. Tap the sides of the form with a hammer to get the concrete to settle fully. You might also use a length of dowell or similar. Porous unfilled edges look crappy. Don't forget the J bolts for the sill plates. Put an L shaped piece of conduit in and pour around it, in case you plan on electric now or in the future.

Just some things I've learned

Thanks guys

Any preferences regarding a monolithic slab vs conventional 4" slab? Frost level here in NC is 12".

And yes, I will be renting a bull float. I have the trowels.

Great idea on the conduit.

This will be my 2nd pour but the last one was way back when (over 15 yrs).

mmpov
Rent a bull float and extension handles when its time to pour. Tap the sides of the form with a hammer to get the concrete to settle fully. You might also use a length of dowell or similar. Porous unfilled edges look crappy. Don't forget the J bolts for the sill plates. Put an L shaped piece of conduit in and pour around it, in case you plan on electric now or in the future.

Just some things I've learned

Yeah, i should have done that, and I wish I would have run some conduit as well. Sadly, I'll probably only be in this house for another 4 or 5 years, so I don't think I'll be running electric to it anytime soon.

Nice shed! I'm a firm believer in keeping your wood high and dry, so, when you build your next one I'd put a row of block on the slab then your wood. Really makes a difference.

As far as your inconsiderate neighbors go.....well.....I can't believe someone would do something like that. I guess I lead a sheltered life.

Small town I live in you can't build anything within 5' from the lot line.


Baldwin

Nice shed! I'm a firm believer in keeping your wood high and dry, so, when you build your next one I'd put a row of block on the slab then your wood. Really makes a difference.

As far as your inconsiderate neighbors go.....well.....I can't believe someone would do something like that. I guess I lead a sheltered life.

Small town I live in you can't build anything within 5' from the lot line.


Baldwin

Thanks! Yeah, we have the same rules here. 5', or 3' if it's not wood. I talked with the city and they said my 3' is fine because it's just the corners. They let me pass on it. I'm glad, because I really wanted to do the cornered look, rather than parallell with the fence. And good idea with the frame up on a row of blocks. I'll do that for sure if I ever build another one. Though if I do, I'm sure my wife will kill me. But now that I've done it once, I really would love to do another one, using the lessons I've learned.

Nice job! :thumbup: Thats a shed to be proud of!

Nice job! :thumbup: Thats a shed to be proud of! Why thank you! I do grin a bit every time I look at her.