reinforcement in a shed foundation footer - yay or nay ?

amakarevic · 03-31-2009, 05:50 PM

i am planning to set a 3.5' deep foundation footer for a small 10 x 12 ft storage shed. do you all think i should reinforce it with a simple rebar coral-like structure (vertical posts in corners connected by two levels of horizontal beams, one near the bottom, one near the top) or would that be an overkill ?

thanks.

Scuba_Dave · 03-31-2009, 06:21 PM

Why 3.5' deep?
Is it attached to the house?

I put in a 12" cement "foundation" all the way around - no rebar
Then I added on to my shed, 10 x 22 now
The only reason I did 12" is to keep mice out
I'm filling with gravel/rocl/sand & putting pavers in
Its a pool cabana & I may need to get to the pipes

Bondo · 03-31-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

for a small 10 x 12 ft storage shed.

Ayuh,... A 3, 1/2' foundation sounds alittle Overkill for a 10 x 12 ain't it,..??

I'm doing an 8, 1/2' x 11, 1/2'er pinned thru p/t 2x4s, on compacted limestone....

A floating slab would provide Alot of support,+ stability...

jomama45 · 03-31-2009, 08:26 PM

I take it your going this deep due to grade issues. Either way, 1/2" rebar grid on 2 foot centers each way (imagine 2' squares between rods) is well worth the money.

Maintenance 6 · 04-01-2009, 07:32 AM

You didn't say where you are, so I assume you're going deep to get below frost line. No matter, re-bar is overkill in a small shed footer as long as it's on undisturbed earth. It's not like you're going to have any great point loads on the foundation. A lot of houses don't even have re-bar in the footers.

amakarevic · 04-01-2009, 10:48 AM

washington DC, i am doing 3.5 ft because the frost line is like 3 ft although there is the global warming effect too. i do not want a floating slab because there will be water and power coming into it.

Scuba_Dave · 04-01-2009, 01:07 PM

You don't really need 3.5' footer on a detached shed of that size

I have pool pipes going in & out of my pool cabana as well as a solar heating setup. I've never had a problem

amakarevic · 04-01-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

You don't really need 3.5' footer on a detached shed of that size

how deep do you recommend ? i don't want any ground swelling/floating to cause pipe breakage etc.

Scuba_Dave · 04-01-2009, 01:16 PM

Mines only 12" deep - and that was simply to prevent mice from getting in. Also to prevent rot & match the existing 10x12 shed

My pipes are buried maybe 24" deep
They do come up inside the shed
Install a drain valve so you can drain the water in the winter
Some people blow out the water in the lines
Mine stay full of water about level with the ground