Will decorative rock work as a gravel substitute under a backyard shed?

Question

I'm planning on building a tool/garden shed in our back yard. Instead of burying posts, I'm planning on building it on skids.

Most of the plans I've seen for sheds resting on skids call for an inch or so of gravel under the skids. I assume this is to provide drainage so the skids won't rot resting on wet ground.

However, we've got a lot of decorative quartz garden rock that the previous owner used as ground cover under a ground-level patio. We were planning on just taking that to the dump, but is there any reason not to use that instead of gravel under the skids?

Answer 1

Yes your right the shale or gravel, is to help with drainage, this in turn help slowdown the process of rot. but if you use treated timber for your skids then you should not need gravel. If I understand you here you have a slabbed patio area as long as this is level so your shed does not twist once erected you will be fine.

Tantalized timer these days is well protected from water penetration and so it can withstand being out in wet conditions. A shed company I used a few years ago recommend a flat slab for a shed.

If you don't have a slabbed base then yes you can use a gravel base.

Answer 2

no ..it will be fine

Answer 3

No  because 1-2 " is not enough you need at least 4"

the reason is so that you get a flat bearing surface and places a bigger foot print on the ground etc. No knowing what your ground conditions are  You use  treated timber that is capable of being put in the ground. I do not know how your classification system works where you are. always go one better.

Answer 4

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