Asked on Mar 04, 2020
How do I stop water from collecting under my new she shed?
by
Debbie Mason
+11
I recently installed a she shed on the back of our property. As you can see, the back end of the building sits at the end of a slope in the property, and the front porch sits below the slope on level ground. When it rains a lot, water collects (think "waterfront property") in the front of the building and sometimes collects underneath the shed up to where the doorway is. What can I do to to either add dirt under the building or whatever else would need to be done to divert water from under the building? We will eventually need to address the "lake" situation at the front of the shed, but for now I want to be sure that the water no longer collects underneath.Thanks in advance for your expertise!FRONT VIEW
Hi Debbie. I'm Cindy. Your she shed could benefit from being higher off the ground. That way your lake front property will still collect water, but it won't be an issue. The way it is now, eventually the water will rot the wood. Good luck Debbie.
How was this site chosen? At the current time there is really nothing you can do to prevent water from collecting underneath during a storm. This area obviously was prone to puddling and the issue should have been addressed before building the shed. You can raise the shed so it doesn't become an issue. You can move it to a better location. And in the short term you might be able to siphon the water out with a small pump. A really cute shed that has potential.
Maybe you could build a dry creek that meanders around the building so the water flows in a different direction.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/design/lideas/creating-a-dry-creek-bed.htm
You could always dig a small french drain around all your out buildings.
You may need to re-contour the ground in your yard to divert the water elsewhere.
I would try to divert the drainage around and away from your shed. French drains would help. Can you jack it up higher or move it?
I agree with Naomie. The complete puddling problem should have been addressed first. Nothing you can do underneath since the water creeps under the shed from the front. The grade in the front and under needs to be raised or the shed placed on a raised platform of blocks. A french drain may work but it would also need to handle all water not just underneath
Hello Debbie,
I'm afraid you have to divert the water as your She Shed is on a slope and water will always run down hill. Might be easier if you re- site the shed on to a Level Concrete base. Sorry, no other quick fix!
Hi Debbie, For an immediate solution you can dig out trenches lower than the ground beneath your shed so the watr is diverted away and from beneath the shed. In the long-term relocating it and raising it would be better. You want it on high ground. How about backing it up to the other building behind it, raising it higher and then adding more steps up to the porch. Very cute shed with lots of possiilities!
I would raise up on a higher foundation and add drains around it to divert the water. If you have a sealed, water proofed foundation that will prevent the water from accumulating underneath. Construct as if you were building a home.
Can you dig a little trench for the water to follow that leads away from the shed
Sandbags?
Hi ! For the immediate future , dig trench to divert the water !
wasn't the water issue there before you put the she shed there ? If you could move it to a higher location that is level , that would be ideal , but I guess there wasn't , otherwise you would have put it there . If you can't move it , can you raise it ? If not try French drain system . Also plant willow trees that suck up a lot of moisture. Good luck !!! You are very lucky to have a she shed !!!!
Take a look here, you need to raise your shed or have drainage under it that water or drainage will miss any wood. It appears to be on a slight slope, so this might work for you:
https://www.secrets-of-shed-building.com/shed_on_unlevel_ground.html