Building over sod

mkirsch · May 31, 2013

I want to put up a carport behind my existing pole barn for more storage. The land is already graded for a building, but it's established lawn sod.

I'd like to just put up the building and not bother running heavy machinery and dump trucks across my property, tearing things up in the process.

What is wrong with just spraying the sod under the new building with roundup and letting it fade away?

State of Jefferson · May 31, 2013

If you're pouring Concrete over it, the organic matter(sod) will decay and cause voids, leading to settling, and cracked concrete.

If you are not pouring concrete slab, it seems like you will have good habitat for critters, and a mess as the grass "fades away"...

Ben

Matt Tieken · May 31, 2013

Mow it short and spray it hard. It will be gone before you know it.

John B. · May 31, 2013

You can rent those little walk behind sod cutters then just roll up the sod and dispose or transplant it else where. This is what I would do if you didn't want heavy trucks etc running over your lawn.

Geo-TH,In · May 31, 2013

I own an old 12 inch ryan sod cutter. The older you get, the heavier the sod gets. It is nice to remove sod when making new flower beds, but is a lot of work. Hire kids to help. Like you said, put the sod where the grass has been damaged or there is a rut to fill or put it over tree roots that are sticking out of the ground.
George

cole in mo. · May 31, 2013

A few years ago I built a 30x39 pole shed, open on the east side. Used the lawn mower on the area first, then built. Didn't pour concrete or put down gravel, grass died out on its own. Keep tractors and my balers in there, floor stays dry.

504-1 · May 31, 2013

I put up a pole barn twenty years ago over sod, the grass will die on its own and be gone in a year. Mow it short and build.

john in la · May 31, 2013

As long as you are not pouring a concrete floor it will not be a problem.

If you want a concrete floor you need to get the grass and roots up and backfill the void with good dirt that will pack solid.

paul · May 31, 2013

No need to spray it, it will die on its own.

You will deeply regret if you ever try to pour concrete over it, or
wish to gravel the area. The organics will mess that up.

If rain tends to soak the area, you will wish it was mounded a
bit. Perhaps it is already if you say its graded. Anyhow, if it is
flat, it will be a real muddy mess, so hope there is a mound to
keep the black dirt dry.

With those things in mind, dad built two sheds on the grass,
one has a tree stump in it yet, used as a stop for the grain
truck. The other you can still see the old grass if you look, the
root mass anyhow. These are full sheds, full walls, and
foundations to keep the moisture out. One was built in 64, the
other long before that.

Paul

Janicholson · May 31, 2013

I purchased a house in San Jose, CA that was built on the ground. Redwood sleepers were laid on top of grass. The house stood from 1914 to 1989 on those 2-1/2X6 inch first cutting boards. We built footers and block foundation by lifting the house 1 inch then setting it on the new material. Each sleeper we removed had dead grass stuck to the bottom. All were perfectly preserved, no rot. Termites were radically populating the area, they got into the house and feasted on the pine carpet strips only. None of the framing or redwood flooring was nibbled. If it is even 6 inches above the surrounding yard, I would do what you are doing in a heartbeat. Jim

mkirsch · Jun 3, 2013

Sounds like I'd be okay then.

Still trying to decide what to do... Carolina carport (~$4000) and close it in later on my own, or full pole barn ($10,000).

Building over sod

mkirsch

Well-known Member

State of Jefferson

Member

Matt Tieken

Member

John B.

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

cole in mo.

Well-known Member

504-1

Member

john in la

Well-known Member

paul

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

Similar threads