c/fix-my-shed-build

That time 3 years ago my shed roof collapsed on a Tuesday afternoon

I was building a 10x12 shed in my backyard in Ohio, and I thought I had the roof framed fine. Three years ago last July, I was up there nailing the last piece of plywood when the whole middle section gave out and I fell through. Landed on my workbench, broke two of my best saw horses, and scared my neighbor's dog so bad it jumped the fence. Has anyone else had a roof frame just buckle on them like that mid-build?

2 comments

keith943•1d ago

This one morning last week my shed roof nearly flipped off in a wind gust

Ngl I was just finishing up the shingles on my little 8x10 shed in the backyard when a sudden gust caught the underlayment and lifted the whole thing like 6 inches. I had to grab a ladder and hold it down with a cinder block while my neighbor Dave ran over to help. Has anyone else had a near disaster like that with a roof that wasn't fully secured yet?

2 comments

the_barbara•2d ago

The 2x4 trick that fixed my leaning wall in 10 minutes

My shed wall was leaning 3 inches out of plumb. I drove a 2x4 as a diagonal brace from the top plate to a stake in the ground, then used a come-along to pull it straight. Took less time than arguing with my level.

2 comments

andrew_nguyen64•3d ago

Warning: someone pointed out my foundation was 2 inches off on one corner

I spent a whole weekend leveling my shed base with gravel and thought I had it perfect. A buddy came by and ran a string line across the whole thing, and sure enough the back left corner dropped 2 inches compared to the front. He showed me where I only checked level side to side but never corner to corner. Now I always pull a diagonal string across any base before I pour or build. Has anyone else missed a big dip like this and had to shim their floor later?

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val_wilson•4d ago

I tried leveling my shed floor with landscape gravel and now I have a pond

So I thought I'd be smart and save money on a concrete pad by using crushed gravel for my 8x10 shed base. Dumped 2 tons of it, raked it flat, spent hours tamping it down. Then it rained last week and now I've got a permanent puddle that attracts every mosquito in the neighborhood. Has anyone else had their gravel base turn into a swamp or am I the only one who skipped the drainage layer?

2 comments

charliew99•6d ago

Stopped by my friend's shed last Sunday and was shocked at how he skipped the pressure treated lumber for the floor frame

He used regular pine 2x6s sitting directly on concrete blocks and when I pointed out the rot starting he just shrugged. Has anyone else dealt with a buddy who refuses to listen to basic building advice?

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the_sam•6d ago

Serious question, has anyone else noticed how much better old school plywood was?

Honestly, I used to think people complaining about modern lumber were just being dramatic. Been building sheds for 15 years now, small company over in Akron. Last month I tore down an old 1970s shed to put up a new one for a customer. That old plywood was heavy, solid, barely any voids in the middle. The new stuff I picked up at the big box store felt like cardboard in comparison. I had to double up the sheathing on one wall just to get the same rigidity. It took a lot more screws and effort than I planned, and the customer asked why it looked thicker than the old shed. Really makes me wonder what we're paying for nowadays. Has anyone else run into this with their own projects?

2 comments

the_jana•7d ago

Built a shed in 4 hours flat, then spent 6 hours fixing the lean because I forgot to square the frame

I was so proud of myself for hitting that 4 hour mark on a 10x12, but when I stepped back to admire it, the whole back wall was leaning a solid 3 inches to the left, so now I'm wondering if anyone else has ever celebrated a milestone that turned out to be a total joke.

2 comments