Setting up a shed in the yard is a wonderful option.
It will offer additional space and you are going to enjoy having access to it during different times of the year.
However, a lot of property owners don’t know where to put a shed in their yards. It is not easy to find a safe, efficient spot that is still accessible.
You might not also want to invest in a sturdy base and want to buy a new shed and then put it anywhere you can. This also leads you to wonder, can you put a shed on dirt?
You can put a shed on dirt as long as the surface is prepared for it. This includes leveling the dirt, avoiding putting it next to obstructions, and creating a moisture barrier using a plastic sheet of polyethylene. This will ensure the shed is safe from dirt.
It’s important to note that it is still recommended to have a stable base for the shed. This is an option if you don’t want to look at investing more for the base.
Even when the shed is set on dirt, the maintenance time is going to go up during the year. It is going to take a lot of time to make sure the shed does not get damaged.
This is why most people do take the time to put a shed on a gravel base or on something stable. This guide is going to help take a look at details to think about when putting a shed on dirt in the yard.
Table of Contents
Tips For Putting A Shed On Dirt
1. Level The Dirt First
You will need to prepare the dirt for the shed.
How are you going to do this?
The idea is to make sure the dirt is not uneven. This is already an unstable surface according to experts and it is not the right way to install a shed in the yard.
As a result, you will need to make sure the dirt is leveled.
This is going to ensure the shed is not set on a slope and is going to work well when you put it into place. Do not compromise on this and continue to work on pressing the dirt down to create a stable base for the shed to sit on.
This is important.
2. Avoid Obstructions
You also want to think about potential obstructions that are going to damage the shed that is sitting on dirt.
A good example of this would be a pool that is nearby.
Yes, the pool is not going to move for the shed, which means you need to relocate where the shed is in the yard. It should not be sitting next to a pool as that is only going to compromise it further in a situation such as this one.
3. Create A Moisture Barrier Around The Shed
It is important to create a moisture barrier around the shed in the dirt.
Why is this essential?
You have to make sure moisture that is going into the dirt does not spread into the shed. This is possible as the dirt is pressing against the shed.
You will need to wrap the bottom of the shed with a plastic sheet of polyethylene. This is how you are going to keep it safe even when it rains.
In many regions, it rains a lot, so you do have to consider this as a key part of the installation process.
4. Test The Shed
When you are done, it is time to set the shed in the dirt.
You are going to want to make sure the shed is usable in this situation.
Sometimes, when you set the shed into place, it is going to shift a bit. You don’t want this to happen, which is why most people are going to have plastic sheets underneath.
It is going to keep the shed safe.
Make sure to use the shed and see if it moves. If it does budge, this is not a good sign and it will only worsen.
You have to make sure to move the shed and then work on the dirt again until it is leveled properly.
Final Thoughts
Can you put a shed on dirt?
You can put a shed on dirt as long as it is leveled. Start by leveling the dirt, place a plastic sheet of polyethylene underneath, and ensure the shed does not move. If it is put on a leveled surface, the shed will do fine in this condition.
You will have to be thorough and understand maintaining a shed becomes important in a situation such as this one.
The shed is going to be compromised and you have to ensure it is kept safe. This includes making sure moisture does not get into the shed.
