Rant: I saw a backyard studio in Portland that made me rethink my whole plan

I was visiting my cousin in Portland last month and saw his neighbor's new backyard studio. The whole thing was built on a raised platform about two feet off the ground, which I never considered. He said it was because his yard gets really damp in the winter and he wanted to avoid moisture issues. It made me realize I might need to change my foundation plan for my own build. Has anyone else had to raise their studio because of a wet yard?

3 comments

3 Comments

wadeyoung1mo ago

Ha, yeah that raised platform thing is such a smart move for wet yards. I actually helped a buddy pour concrete footings for his tiny cabin in the woods and we went with a pier system instead of a slab. His whole place is on these concrete blocks that sit above the ground, just to keep air flowing under the floor. He said the deck builder he hired told him that even a few inches of elevation can save you from mold and rot down the road. Makes you wonder why more people don't do it, especially if the yard is soggy like that.

sage5283mo ago

My friend in Seattle had to jack his shed up six inches after the first winter.

beth_anderson3mo ago

Oh wow, that's actually a really good point. I always just assumed you'd pour a slab, but raising it makes total sense for a wet spot.