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Building a Lean To Shed - Need Help

Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:43 am
Posted by deaconjones35
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2009
9899 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:43 am
I plan on building a small enclosed lean to that will attach to my existing shed. (About 7'by 10')

I want to use 4x4's for posts, but where I want to build it, I can not dig deeper than about 4-6" because of tree roots. Is there another way to anchor the 4x4's so my lean to does not blow away the first time the wind blows?

TIA
Posted by Bien Fou
Laffy
Member since Jul 2009
2039 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:47 am to
you will have to cut the tree roots and set your posts at least 2-3 feet down to have any kind of strength
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:53 am to
Only other option is mobile home anchors and cable. Tie the top beam down.

Or cut the roots with a ax.
Posted by braindeadboxer
Utopia
Member since Nov 2011
8742 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:53 am to
Your going to have to cut through those tree roots. Sharpen a post hole digger and flail away. Or if you can reach them with some heavy duty pruning shears try that. After you get those posts in be sure to backfill with some ready mix because if those roots die out they'll likely loosen the soil up in the future. It's doable.
Posted by deaconjones35
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2009
9899 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:54 am to
Cutting roots with ax....will that kill my tree? It's a water oak that's about 40' tall.
Posted by braindeadboxer
Utopia
Member since Nov 2011
8742 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:54 am to
quote:

Only other option is mobile home anchors and cable. Tie the top beam down.


This is a jury rigged possibilty. Depends on if you are ok with your lean-to looking like a tent with the tie-downs.
Posted by FlagLake
"Da Ship"
Member since Feb 2006
2482 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:55 am to
You could lay a treated 4x4 parallel to your existing shed and then drill holes through it and stake it down with several long pieces of rebar. The rebar should go through the roots fairly easy. Then anchor your shed posts to the staked 4x4 and go from there. It would be better to cut the roots and dig the hole then concrete them though.
Posted by braindeadboxer
Utopia
Member since Nov 2011
8742 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:56 am to
quote:

Cutting roots with ax....


That tree will be fine. Trust me, cutting a 4x4 section of those roots will not damage it. Root branches die off and regrow all the time.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:56 am to
How many holes we talking about. Two or three holes, I would cut away.
Posted by deaconjones35
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2009
9899 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 9:58 am to
quote:

How many holes we talking about


I'm thinking two will be fine since I'm only coming off 10' and the shed will be the other anchor.

Next Question:

Can I host the next OBGT and have everyone bring an ax?
Posted by trident
Member since Jul 2007
4863 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:00 am to
quote:

It's a water oak that's about 40' tall.


I would not cut the water oaks roots. They already have a shallow root system and this could make it uproot in the next big storm. JMO
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:00 am to


I have a good sharpshooter. Need to borrow it?
Posted by braindeadboxer
Utopia
Member since Nov 2011
8742 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:06 am to
quote:

I would not cut the water oaks roots. They already have a shallow root system and this could make it uproot in the next big storm. JMO


As long as he's selective on where he puts his posts it'll be fine.

OP when you dig down, obviously if you encounter a major root, just shift your hole over a few inches and avoid it.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46379 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:07 am to
Can you move the post in a little and not be on the corners and miss the roots?
Posted by TopWaterTiger
Lake Charles, LA
Member since May 2006
12401 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:09 am to
Bolt onto your existing shed for support
Posted by deaconjones35
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2009
9899 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:09 am to
quote:

Can you move the post in a little and not be on the corners and miss the roots


When I get home, I will check my measurements again. I may be able to shift them inside a bit and miss and of the larger roots.
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43031 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:10 am to
Tree should be alright unless the roots are significantly large.

You can't build the base t'ed off from the vertical post? Maybe shaped like an upside down y
Posted by deaconjones35
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2009
9899 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:10 am to
quote:

Bolt onto your existing shed for support


Plan on doing this also, but coming 10' out, I figure my posts need to be anchored also. Am I wrong here?
Posted by deaconjones35
Thibodaux
Member since Sep 2009
9899 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:11 am to
quote:

Maybe shaped like an upside down y


Interesting. It would probably be in the way of where I plan on putting the door.

BTW, you need to stay off the OT.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46379 posts
Posted on 4/16/13 at 10:13 am to
quote:

Am I wrong here?


No, I have seen the wind frick a lean to up. You could also dig around and under the root, fill with concrete and then anchor the post to the concrete...
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