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I Built a Shed (2020)

eduardosasso.co

71–80 of 323 posts

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#71
post #46
post #33

Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…

Also it sounds like he ran both the low voltage network cable and the high voltage line-level power wiring inside of the same conduit which is a big no-no for various code and safety related reasons. From what I understand messing with electric code violations is not a good idea, if your homeowners insurance finds out you put in some janky stuff like that and your house burns down, they might invalidate your policy b…

A plastic conduit, ffs.

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#72
post #46
post #33

Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…

Also it sounds like he ran both the low voltage network cable and the high voltage line-level power wiring inside of the same conduit which is a big no-no for various code and safety related reasons. From what I understand messing with electric code violations is not a good idea, if your homeowners insurance finds out you put in some janky stuff like that and your house burns down, they might invalidate your policy b…

The home insurance people will absolutely nail him on this. They'll eventually send someone out to inspect the property on a policy renewal. They'll refuse to renew the policy until the code violations are corrected. And they'll definitely notice and have questions about the odd 'shed' that looks new and very out of place.

If he has really wired it as it seems, if anything consequential (unrelated) happens to the property in the meantime they'll use that against him when they inspect post event. They'll try to claim he breached the policy prior to the event.

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#73
post #65
post #33

Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…

I was going to post about code violations but I’ll just tuck it under yours here so we don’t flood the top level (although one could argue that this really deserves it). I had to stop reading r/diy because half the stuff in there made me angry. Especially people building lofts to store heavy stuff without knowing anything about construction. You can’t overlap rooflines like this. That’s how they allow people to build…

Putting signalling and power wires in the same conduit is about as bad as it gets.

The proper way to do this is to dig a trench and use armored cable suitable for burial without further protection and to use a plastic uninterrupted tube for the cat6 (which you can blow through).

That said, there isn't a lot of difference between a DIY person and a low grade contractor, and a competent DIY'er is probably better than most mid level contractors. The big difference is usually that they have the tools and they're with a couple of people and you're just by your lonesome.

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#74
There is so much involved with building structures, even something like a shed. Sheesh.

I always figured that if I wanted to do a serious project like this, I would first do some volunteer work, maybe with Habitat for Humanity or similar, just to gain some experience.

Does anybody have stories about noobs volunteering to help with construction?

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#75
post #63
post #33

Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…

As much as everyone loves to complain about red tape, building codes have a lot of useful info. Even if you're not going to pull permits (at your own risk) it's useful to be aware of what code requires and why. Specific examples from the post: * Plywood thickness required for floor decking * Min roof slope for asphalt shingles * Drip edge, where it's required and how to install it * Roof drainage - probably doesn't m…

And related to this, but floor joists, roof construction and other carrying components (foundation) are all super important to get right.

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#76
post #5

Is the roof slanted in the right direction? You are sending the water toward your house instead of away from it. This might create drainage problems in flash flood conditions.

Also in the UK it's against regulation to have a wooden structure so close to a residential property... Although this is the US where most properties are made of wood... So probably no such rule?

That is also the case in my area of the US. The wooden structure must be a certain distance from the house, fence, etc. However smaller structure don't need a permit so people just ignore the rules if space is tight. And some areas don't have strict enforcement of the building code particularly rural areas. But those properties tend to have lots of space.

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#77
post #33

Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…

> Screws are convenient, sure, but they are necessarily much harder than nails and are prone to embrittlement and cracking,...

That sounds like bike-shedding :D

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#78
post #5

Is the roof slanted in the right direction? You are sending the water toward your house instead of away from it. This might create drainage problems in flash flood conditions.

Also in the UK it's against regulation to have a wooden structure so close to a residential property... Although this is the US where most properties are made of wood... So probably no such rule?

Buildings that overlap are often seen as attempt to make an addition without the right permits. They have zero sense of humor about that over here either.

Since the wall of this building is actually under the roof line, they’ll make him tear this down or reroof his house to move it four inches over (although that might take a permit too, since you’re changing the roofline). Tearing it down is cheaper.

He may also be violating setbacks from the edge of the property, but those have been diluted here so frequently in large cities that he might be okay.

Re: I Built a Shed (2020)

#80
post #10

I’m such a fan of this. Nicely done! I opted for a $3k Costco shed and went off grid with it even though it’s in my back yard: https://drodio.com/going-all-in-on-an-off-grid-workspace/ Off grid = No need for a permit but more importantly, a proof of concept that with starlink, this small office “shedquarters” could be placed anywhere in the world — say a beach in Costa Rica for example!

Imagine if all the nerds that could afford it set up their shacks on the beach in Costa Rica. Instant slum. I prefer the beach without such structures.
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