![]() ![]() To keep the foundation solid, it would probably be better to use solid blocks rather than hollow ones. If you want to stack them, you can use cement to connect them or use a thick bead of construction adhesive applied with a caulking gun. This is one place in which too many is much better than too few. For a smaller shed that won’t be stuffed with heavy motorized gadgets, you can go to a support every four to six feet. The average 12′ x 12′ shed, for instance, will use at least 18 blocks. That lawn tractor is heavy, and even a few cans of paint can add a surprising amount of weight.Ī good rule of thumb is to use one block support every three to four feet for a shed that will see normal use. You’re not done, though, because you still have to guess how much weight will eventually go into the shed. It’s hard to know how much your shed will weigh, although if you buy a pre-built shed, you may be able to find out from the manufacturer. ![]() That may sound like a lot, but it’s tough to calculate how many you will need from that figure. How Much Weight Can Deck Blocks Hold?Ī single 12×12-inch deck block can hold up to 2,000 lbs. Check out my article Can I Use Paving Slabs for a Shed Base?to see if paving slabs are a better option. They may require that the blocks be set a certain distance below ground, that they have solid concrete footings underneath them, or not allow them to be used in this way at all. 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. When we think of concrete deck blocks, most of us think of the usual hollow or cored concrete block with two large square holes. ![]()
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