Garden Shed Floats In High Water

Garden Shed Floats In High Water After watching their garden shed float around the yard during high water, Brendon and Naomi Yoder looked for a solution. The idea of a worse flood carrying away their riding lawn mower, freezer and various tools was unacceptable. They turned to their parents for advice. Naomi’s dad, Mark Foley, suggested a boathouse-style floating shed. Brendon’s dad, William, helped design and build it (Vol. 47, No. 3). This past winter, the concept proved its worth. “We had 36 in. of water in our backyard,” says Brendon. “That’s the highest we’ve had so far, but it could handle 72 in. if necessary.” The floating shed has buoyant foam between the floor joists. In addition, 55-gal barrels were strapped to the shed’s exterior corners. Metal posts were set about 4 ft deep and backfilled with concrete at each exterior corner. “We calculated the foam alone would support 4,000 lbs,” recalls Brendon. Chains were attached to the shed and the posts to float the shed in place and allow it to settle back down as the water receded. The length and the points where they’re attached to the posts keep the chains taut when the shed is on the ground. “We’d evacuated, so we didn’t actually see it float off the ground, but we did see it settle back down,” says Brendon. “Everything was in its place, and the chains were taut again.” The success has the Yoders and their in-laws considering their next flood-proofing project. “We’re talking about building a floating chicken coop,” says Brendon. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brendon Yoder, 537 E. 3rd St., Sumas, Wash. 98295 (brendon.yoder@gmail.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.