The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 9:30 pm**

Hi there,

I'm looking for some advice on building a 6x4 ft shed base using pavers.
My garden is at a bit of a gradient, sloping both downwards and to the right, you can get an idea from this photo:

(The lowest point is about 8 inches lower than the highest)

As you can see, I (probably foolishly) decided to go ahead and start digging a foundation; my plan was to follow some of the advice on the paving expert site and lay a sub base layer, and then pavers on top. This would provide me with a level surface for standing my new shed on.

My dilemma is regarding how I deal with the slope - my original plan was to take soil away so that it would all be the same level as the lowest point, and perhaps adding a small retaining structure (maybe a sleeper) at the highest side to account for the drop off.
Do you think this is the best way to approach it? Should I instead be considering adding height to the lowest point? I'm really just trying to keep the job as simple as possible as I'm not all that experienced at DIY.

I would really appreciate your comments

Thank you.

P.s some info on the garden..

It's a new garden as the house was only finished in late 2012.
The soil is compacted, and contains a bit of scattered building surplus, i.e broken brick/grit.
The climate is moderate, being situated in central UK there is a fair amount of rain, and the temperature is changeable.

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 9:42 pm**

If you raise up the lowest point, you will have less digging, but a step up into the shed. More digging if you put a retainer in at the back, but no step. Hobsons choice, but for me, the shed should be as close to the ground level at the door end as possible.
You could use a sleeper, but why not just slope the existing grass down to meet the shed base?

Edited By dig dug dan on 1371415382

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 9:46 pm**

dig dug dan wrote:If you raise up the lowest point, you will have less digging, but a step up into the shed. More digging if you put a retainer in at the back, but no step. Hobsons choice, but for me, the shed should be as close to the ground level at the door end as possible.
You could use a sleeper, but why not just slope the existing grass down to meet the shed base?

You're certainly right about sloping it to meet the base, good idea

Do you think sinking the base might result in problems with the drainage of water?

Posted: **Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:14 pm**

you need your base to have a bit of fall to allow water to run off
1:80 is about right
you can still level the shed up
cheers LLL

The Brew Cabin

Advice on shed base with pavers