Alexei Volkov
Plastic sheds are durable, require little maintenance, and are good value for money. However, they can be vulnerable to high winds and adverse weather conditions, which can cause them to shift or become unsafe. To prevent this, it is important to properly tie down your plastic shed. This can be done by anchoring the shed to the ground using various methods, such as concrete anchors, ground anchors, or steel straps. The process typically involves preparing the ground, installing anchors or straps, and securing them with cables or ropes. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your plastic shed remains stable and secure, even during harsh weather conditions.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the area and gather safety equipment and tools
To prepare the area, you will need to decide on the location of your shed carefully. You should also ensure that you have the right tools and safety equipment to avoid damage or injury.
If you have a Rubbermaid shed, you will need to place it on a flat concrete slab and use concrete sleeve anchors or standard ground anchor stakes, which are available at home improvement centres. If your shed is on a lawn, gravel, or dirt, you will need to create a foundation with treated wood or concrete foundation blocks. For a concrete base, you will need to drill or dig holes, tamp gravel into the bottom, slide a sonotube in, and fill it with concrete. Set a galvanized anchor bracket in before the concrete sets, then align and level the brackets.
If your shed is on bare ground, you will need to pack the soil down with a tamper and pour at least 2 inches of gravel to help with water drainage. If you are using ground anchors, you will need to dampen the ground with a hose to make installation easier. You can then push the anchors into the ground and twist them slightly so they run along the bottom edge of your shed.
Make sure you have safety gloves to prevent injury. You will also need a drill, a wrench, a hammer, and possibly a ratchet or large screwdriver to help with turning leverage. If you are screwing an anchor into the ground, a steel pipe can be useful for providing leverage.
Before you begin, take out all the pieces of your kit and make sure you know what each one is for and that you have everything you need. Read over the directions thoroughly before you start.
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Choose the right anchor kit for your shed
Anchoring a shed is crucial to ensuring its stability and protecting it from damage caused by strong winds or shifting ground. There are several anchor kits available in the market, and the right one for your shed will depend on various factors, including your shed's size and weight, soil conditions, and local weather conditions.
If you live in an area with soft or sandy soil, auger anchors are a good option. These screw-like anchors are designed to be driven into the ground using a ratchet strap and provide a sturdy hold in soft soil conditions. On the other hand, if your region typically has rocky or hard soil, concrete anchors are a better choice. These anchors are designed to withstand harder soil conditions and even concrete, offering a strong and secure hold.
For those who want to avoid using concrete, Penetrator anchors are a viable alternative. Large Penetrator anchors can replace poured concrete and provide the same level of support, if not better, at a lower cost. They are also useful for asphalt installation or temporary building installations when used with smaller anchors and L-brackets. When using Penetrator anchors, ensure they are installed with a minimum spacing equal to their depth to maximize their holding strength.
Another option is to use a cable assembly anchor, which can be driven into the ground with rebar or similar tools. These anchors are versatile and can be used with various materials. Additionally, consider using ground screws, which provide excellent stability when installed correctly.
Before purchasing an anchor kit, consult your local building inspector as foundation preferences and requirements may vary between regions. It is also essential to choose a suitable location for your shed, ensuring the ground is level, clear of debris, and well-drained to prevent water pooling and potential damage.
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Install anchors and cables
When installing anchors and cables to tie down a plastic shed, it is important to first identify the type of shed and the ground on which it stands. For a vinyl shed, the anchors are typically installed along the bottom edge. Start by dampening the ground with a water hose to make installation easier. Next, push the anchors into the ground and twist them slightly so they run along the bottom edge of the shed, leaving about 2 inches of the stem out. This remaining stem will be attached to the cable.
There are several methods for installing the cable, depending on the type of shed. For a loose-beamed shed, the cable can be slid around the beam and brought back to the original anchor. If your shed has a skid mount, push the cable between the skids and the deck. Pull the cable all the way around to the other corner and attach another anchor. Loosen the clamp with a wrench to insert the cable, then tighten it to secure it in place.
For a concrete slab, use concrete sleeve anchors or slab anchor kits available at home improvement stores. If you have a Rubbermaid shed, locate the recessed round spots on the floor designed for ground anchors. Drill through these spots with a 1/2-inch drill bit and insert an anchor stake until it touches the ground beneath the shed. Drive the anchor into the ground with a hammer until it is firmly in place.
If your shed is on soil, pound metal auger-type anchors into the ground about 6 to 12 inches from each corner. Drive them as far as possible without damaging the anchor to ensure a good grip on the ground. You can use a steel pipe through the eye of the anchor to screw it into the ground, providing leverage, especially in hard and dry soil.
Finally, attach the cable to the anchors. Slide the cable through a cable clamp, pass it through the eye of the anchor, and back through the clamp in the opposite direction to form a loop. Tighten the clamp with a wrench. Repeat this process for each corner of the shed, pulling the cable tight and forming loops around the skids under the shed.
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Secure cables with clamps and knots
To secure cables with clamps and knots, you will first need to prepare the area. Put on safety gloves to prevent injury. Next, unpack your kit and make sure you understand how to use each piece. If your shed is on a flat concrete slab, use concrete sleeve anchors instead of ground anchors. If the ground is dry, use a hose to dampen the ground where the anchors will be installed.
Now, you can start installing the anchors. Push the anchors into the ground, twisting them slightly so they run along the bottom edge of your shed. Leave about 2 inches of the stem out. Next, attach the cable. If your shed has a loose-beamed structure, you can slide the cable around the beam and bring it back up to the original anchor. If your shed has a skid mount, push the cable between the skids and the deck.
At this point, you can start securing the cables with clamps and knots. Loosen the first clamp with a wrench and insert the cable. Tighten the clamp until it is secured. Pull the loose cable through the anchor and secure it with a knot. You may need to saw through the wire if trimming the cable is necessary. Repeat this process for all corners of the shed, hammering the anchors lightly to ensure stabilization.
Finally, go back and tighten the cables with a wrench, pulling them as tight as possible by hand. Repeat this process for all corners of the shed. Your plastic shed is now securely tied down, protecting it from high winds or floodwaters.
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Stabilise the anchors
Stabilising the anchors is a crucial step in securing your plastic shed. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:
First, identify the anchor positions on the shed floor. Most sheds, especially those made of plastic, have recessed round spots designed for ground anchors. Mark these spots to know where to install your anchors. If you have a concrete slab, use concrete sleeve anchors or opt for standard ground anchor stakes for other surfaces.
Before installing the anchors, prepare the ground. Use a water hose to dampen the ground, making it easier to install the anchors. If the ground is extremely dry, let the water drip for a few hours to soften the area. This step ensures that you can securely embed the anchors.
Now, it's time to install the anchors. Pound or drill the anchors into the ground at each corner of the shed. Drive them about 6 to 12 inches from each corner, twisting slightly so they run along the bottom edge. Leave about 2 inches of the stem exposed above the ground. This portion will be attached to the cable. If you're using a cable clamp, slide the cable through the clamp, then through the eye of the anchor, and back through the clamp to form a loop. Tighten the clamp securely.
For added stability, consider adding a third strap and set of anchors in the middle of the shed, especially if it's a long structure. This extra anchor point will provide more stability and protect the door from strong winds.
Finally, check that all anchors are firmly in place. Lightly hammer the anchors to ensure they are stable and won't shift. This final step ensures that your anchors are ready to withstand strong winds or adverse weather conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
High winds or floodwaters can lift an outdoor shed right off the ground if it's not anchored securely. Strong winds can blow a lightweight shed over even if it is anchored to a foundation.
You will need a tie-down kit, safety gloves, a water hose, a wrench, a hammer, and a drill.
If the ground is dry, use a hose to drip water onto the location of the anchors for several hours to soften the ground. Then, pack the soil down in the area with a tamper and pour at least 2 inches of gravel.
Pound the tip of a metal auger-type shed anchor about 6 to 12 inches from each corner of the shed. Slide the end of the cable through a cable clamp and pass it through the eye of the auger. Pull the cable back through the clamp, tighten with a wrench, and repeat for each corner.
If it is difficult to access the underside of the shed, install a steel tie-down ring to the outer floor joist on the four corners of the shed. Add a third strap and set of ground anchors over the middle of a long shed. Tie a thick rope around the middle to protect the door from flapping in the wind.
