Anything wrong with dry stack concrete block piers

Danaus29 · #1 07/12/10, 01:45 PM

as a foundation for a little 8 x 10 foot shed? We have 6 block piers supporting our little 8 x 10 foot shed and the guy with the planning and development department says they're not good enough. The stacks were leveled and have held up for 16 years. Just curious because we sure don't want the shed falling down but really don't see where it's been a problem. The same type of supports were under our vacation cabin in PA and held up well for over 50 years.

Why is planning and development being so nosey and particular? All because I tried to keep some livestock legally. Had I known they would stick themselves into every aspect of our lives I would have just sent my critters to new homes. I cannot believe how much a variance puts you under a microscope!

ErinP · #2 07/12/10, 01:47 PM

if it's not good enough, has he said what WOULD be?

Could you maybe just add surface bonding cement and it'd be up to snuff?

Patt · #3 07/12/10, 01:54 PM

Sounds like a pain! My Dad put up a shed like that 10years ago with no problems since. Can't think why it would be a problem.

Danaus29 · #4 07/12/10, 02:01 PM

ErinP, they won't tell you what is good enough, just what they don't like.

He suggested putting the shed on level ground, HAHAHAHAHA, all the properties around here have steep slopes. I could move the shed to in front of the house but then I would get cited for the shed being between the house and the road.

Darren · #5 07/12/10, 02:01 PM

That's one of the reasons I live in WV. In the rural areas, no one is going to be looking at your blocks. That's the standard way of supporting house trailers around here. There are barns here that are over fifty years old that were built on piled up rocks. Note that I said piled not mortared.

Darren from West, Thank God, Virginia.

Harry Chickpea · #6 07/12/10, 03:01 PM

The shed should be grandfathered in if it has been around for 16 years. Tell him to take a long walk off a short dock.

Jenni979 · #7 07/12/10, 03:17 PM

Wow... We have a mobile home in Missouri and when it was moved onto our land it was put onto dry-stacked, double peirs and no-one ever said a thing. We had to get everything done to state/county codes and we were fine.

One would think that it it were okay for a dwelling, then SURELY, it must be okay for a storage...

swollen tongue · #8 07/12/10, 03:34 PM

maybe he meant to have individual concrete pads under the blocks? if not, the blocks will eventually sink into the ground.....................

Bearfootfarm · #9 07/12/10, 04:40 PM

Ask them to show your the ordinance that states what is acceptable and what is not.

The only problem I see with it is that it's not anchored to the ground

TnAndy · #10 07/12/10, 04:46 PM

As BFF, said....."show me the code or the law".....and the follow up question is "was that in effect when this shed was built MANY MANY YEARS ago ? " ( and don't reveal the number of years unless it's to your advantage )

Lot of these govt weenies have nothing better to do than meddle.

Windy in Kansas · #11 07/12/10, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Ask them to show your the ordinance that states what is acceptable and what is not.

The only problem I see with it is that it's not anchored to the ground

I agree fully with this thought line. Ask the building department why it has been allowed for 16 years and not now? Might be time to bypass the building department and ask the city manager or city council.

Are the piers on footings? Surface bonded?

knight88 · #12 07/12/10, 07:57 PM

Those clowns are trying for numbers to justify their own jobs in many cases... Guess they get a raise after so many rejections...

Danaus29 · #13 07/12/10, 08:13 PM

Windy, um, I guess I would have to say no to both. They are set on flat concrete slabs on leveled ground and said slabs have now sunk into the ground, the whole thing sunk evenly.

They ought to go look under half the houses in this area. There's only a couple built on actual foundations. I know several which have only wood beam and board supports.

Old Vet · #14 07/12/10, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danaus29

Why is planning and development being so nosey and particular? All because I tried to keep some livestock legally. Had I known they would stick themselves into every aspect of our lives I would have just sent my critters to new homes. I cannot believe how much a variance puts you under a microscope!

This is the answer to all your problems. You try for something and you are on their list. Their is nothing except moving that will get you off of their list.

Danaus29 · #15 07/13/10, 09:31 AM

Old Vet, that's what I was afraid of.

They didn't tell us the piers had to be replaced, just the opinion of one person in the dept who says, "they don't look safe". The blocks are not separated nor are the stacks leaning.

Harry Chickpea · #16 07/13/10, 10:18 AM

That person is an idjamot who needs a new job.