CONCRETE DECK BLOCKS FOR SHED FOUNDATION CODE
You need to check with your local building code enforcement agency. If your climate makes your ground subject to frost heave, you won’t be able to just rest the blocks directly on soil or on a gravel foundation. Blocks set directly on soil are much more likely to sink or tilt over time, leading to an unstable shed. You still would benefit greatly from first digging into your ground to level the shed space and pouring in a few inches of gravel, then tamping it down firmly. You can use blocks instead of footings for small to medium-sized sheds up to 160 square feet and if your soil is level and solid. Can I Use Concrete Deck Blocks Instead of Footings? It’s best to stick to true concrete blocks. Nowadays they are more likely to contain volcanic pumice rather than coal cinders. In fact, they are outlawed in building projects in some states. They are lighter and usually cheaper than true concrete blocks but are not as strong. They came into commercial use to take advantage of the huge number of cinders left over from steel mill processes. Cinder blocks contain actual coal cinders and ash. Concrete blocks are made of cement and an aggregate of crushed stone or sand. Your climate will also play a part, as frost heave can really play havoc with a shed standing on blocks along set along the bottom frame.īy the way, although some people refer to these blocks as cinder blocks, the ones you are looking at probably aren’t.
This will eventually cause problems with the block stability and your shed may start leaning after a time. However, a slope leads to runoff in heavy rain which leads to erosion. Likewise, on slopes it may be handy to level your shed by using blocks of a shorter height so that you can pile two on the high-end corners and three on the low end corners. If you have sandy or loose soil, blocks may tend to sink over time unless they are set in firm footings. Much depends on the type of soil and terrain you have. You can use concrete deck blocks for a shed base as long as you remove the grass and add some gravel under the blocks. Almost any of these can be used as a shed base to support the floor beams or even set as a solid floor or base. Some have hollow spaces while others are solid. However, there are several types of concrete deck blocks, differing in both size and shape. IRC building codes specify the maximum allowable length for live load for different types of lumber, and different sizes.When we think of concrete deck blocks, most of us think of the usual hollow or cored concrete block with two large square holes.
When the beam extends past the last post this is called a cantilever.
Nobody can say for sure without more specifics about the shed design.ĭo piers always need to be at the very end? Or can there be a small overhang of wood? Ideally I'd like to have the piers away from the edges of the perimeter so they're not as visible. NOTE: Any specific sizes I use are merely examples of how one can increase the strength of a structure.
When you submit your plan for the permit then the inspector will point out any flaws or deficiencies that you need to address before you start. Make sure that each beam span is no longer than 7' if you are worried. Consider using 2x10 or 2x12 beams doubled or tripled on each row. When in doubt always make it stronger! Increase to 12" piers with 6圆 posts. You must set the posts on top of concrete with a post base to protect from rot. Your concrete piers must be a set depth to go below the frost line in your area. Obtain a building permit and a local inspector will give you guidelines on minimum requirements for posts, beam spans, joist spans, etc. As with any advice you get here, keep in mind that you must stay within the bounds of IRC building codes adopted by your local municipality.
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