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Wood joist resting on sand
Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 2.33 PM
Hi, Our builder tried to level a base for a small summerhouse by adding a sand mix in one corner but it never dried properly and now the summerhouse base beams are resting on it. Every time it rains, the water seeps through the sand into the summerhouse, and the beams and ground take forever to dry where there is sand. Is it possible to fit a metal sheet under the beams to protect them from the wet sand? Is there anything that can be done, the summerhouse is all built and would be very heavy to lift....
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2 Answers
Greenwoods
Rating: 5 out of 5
Hello Jenny.
Well all that sounds a bit strange....I assume the base is on a hard standing (Concrete or similar) I'm not sure how much packing is needed under the joists 10mm or 30mm. If it up to say 15mm plastic solid packers are readily available from builders merchants or similar. Simply lift the weight with a crow bar and slide the packers under the let it down again. If however your summerhouse is NOT sitting on a hard standing you are in trouble. It would be extremely unlikely that it was built on nothing more than earth and leveled with sand. If it is just sitting on earth, Galvanized steel bar available form steel stockholders say 200mm x 10mm thick cut to lengths of
300mm and slid under the joists spread the load over the ground might be your best bet.
Hope that helps. David.
Answered18 September 2015
0
S Mckenzie Joinery
Rating: 5 out of 5
hi your best bet would be to jack up your shed and fit a damp proof coarse or membrain and this would sort any water penetration or future rot to joists
Answered4 May 2017
0