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c/diy-buildersvera_sanchezvera_sanchez5mo agoTop Commenter

My uncle's comment about my shed foundation changed my whole approach

He came over last weekend and saw me leveling the gravel pad for my new 8x10 shed. I was using a 4-foot level and thought it was good enough. He just stood there for a minute and said, 'You know, that floor is going to feel every single one of those quarter-inch dips in 5 years.' I'd never thought about how a tiny slope on the base translates to a rocking floor after seasons of settling. Now I'm renting a laser level before I lay a single timber. Anyone else have a simple check that saved a project from future headaches?
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rosethompson
Maybe your uncle is being a bit too careful. A four foot level is a solid tool for a shed pad. Those small dips get taken up by the floor framing anyway. Renting a laser level seems like overkill for something that isn't a house foundation. Sometimes good enough is actually good enough.
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charlesb42
charlesb425mo agoMost Upvoted
Hey @rosethompson, what's your take on the actual TOLERANCE for a shed pad though? Like how much dip is still "good enough" before it causes problems?
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