I messed up – knocked my shed off its foundation
I have a nice little tool shed I built about 10 years ago, it’s only 4’x6′. It’s been sitting on 4 concrete blocks as a foundation. All has been good, until … as I was mowing with my subcompact tractor, I got careless. My bucket was on, and I as I turned the corner I slammed in to the side of the shed. I watched in horror as it tipped worryingly, the foundation blocks rotated, and I was sure the whole thing would end up on it’s side.
Fortunately, it didn’t fall over. It went back upright, some distance away from where it was originally, sitting at an odd angle. The original foundation blocks are now moved with 2 of the 4 rotated. The whole thing is of course completely off kilter.
So, how do I fix it? I believe I need to lift the shed, redo the foundation blocks, and drop the shed back down on the blocks.
I’m looking for any tips, advice, or anything else (even getting roasted for my f-up). I’m not even sure where to begin.
Replies
try not to put body parts under the shed.
Think the bucket on your tractor is capable of lifting the end with the rotated blocks?
If not, a couple hydraulic jacks and a few boards should let you get back to level.
might want a come-along to pull the shed back into position.
Get a jacks a big crowbar and some pieces of 2x4. Jack it up a bit, block it slightly higher than needed and work it back onto it's foundation blocks.
depending on how involved you want to get, at the least, empty the shed, figure out the "new" location (may be where it landed) get some friends, and you should be able to use some 8 ft 4x4s on some blocking to lever it up, secure it 'in the air" w/ some blocking and get the foundation blocks in place. Plan B is to use your bucket at a corner to pick it up and turn it to where you want it.
if you get some round fence posts, you can put them under it and roll it to where you want it and then lift it back to the foundation blocks.
good luck
also, as Uncle mike said - no body parts under the shed or even the bucket - Dorothy proved that's not a good idea for anyone, even if you get the slippers as part of the deal
And it really pisses off her sister
Spitballing here -
How tall are your foundation blocks?
Get two 2X's that are 3" wider than the blacks are tall. Place them on edge along the 2 long sides of the shed, 2' away from the shed, and secure them using 1/2" rebar pounded into the ground.
Raise one short side of the shed at a time and span the 2X's with a 2" x 10' steel pipe. Lower shed onto pipe and repeat with opposite side of shed.
Reposition foundation blocks as needed and roll shed into position. Remove pipes and lower shed onto blocks.
Easy!
Improvements to process welcome.
Frankie
I want to thank all who responded. I appreciate all the advice. It was too darn hot this weekend to do anything, almost 100 in the shade, but DC is a swamp so with humidity it was far less comfortable (but I'm sure others have it worse).
In any case, I have considered the suggestions, have an idea of what I will do, and more importantly, I have the confidence to try. Hearing from others has given me confidence to fix it.
Now that the therapy session is over, I will take some pics and follow up here with the results. Stay tuned.
(also in the swamp, Bethesda). When I was in my 20's, and getting ready to add on to my parents, I had move three sheds of various shapes and sizes out of the way (around the back and side of a garage where they would get picked up by a guy with a flatbed wrecker). I used, as I recall, a series of telephone poles for rollers, a car jack to lift the corner, and then a "lever" aka a 12' or so 4x4 and a fulcrum point of CMU. One of the sheds had been a 12x20 workshop my Dad had makeshift-engineered and it was heavy. But that lever and fulcrum and telephone pole combo allowed me to move the damn thing myself a couple hundred feet with two turns. I also hand dug that 20x24' foundation and crawlspace. Not long after I met a guy with a great compact utility tractor, back hoe, and the works. I met him too late for that project, but it was a good weight loss summer for me.
Yep, it really comes down to a little imagination and a lot of determination. Also, leverage is a marvelous thing.
I promised an update 3 months ago, but I have no update. Nothing has happened, at least with this little shed. I mowed around it again today, which reminded me about this post, but at least I didn't hit it again, so that's progress? I will update once something happens, or if another few months go by with no progress.
You might contact a shed builder in your area. They have crews and flat beds with come alongs who deliver and set these things all the time. Probably give you some good advice. You might even hire them to do the job (much better than getting yourself or one of your friends hurt).
What is a compact tractor with a bucket doing in the DC swamp?
If you wait a bit more (until the covid rates are under control) I would be happy to come over with a couple come-alongs and a bucket of free advice.