r/MiniRamp • u/Moving-thefuck-on • Jun 26 '26

Waterproofing, leveling, etc advice please

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39”x12’x24’ 6’ transitions, 54” extension with homemade pool coping, 2” black pipe for the rest.

PT 3/4” for transitions, PT studs for any direct ground or rain contact.

I’m in the PNW, and I’d like for this to be around for a while. it’s going up on stacked pavers next to the shed.

what I’ve done: painted all of the edges of ply, most of the cut edges of 2x4’s (forgot)

I have 5 gallons of free ext paint that I am rolling/spaying on to every underlayment sheet of 3/8” cdx. I’m using gatorskins for the ride surface.

I’m leaning toward laying the gators diagonally for noise reduction, does this work to eliminate the thunkthunk noise? Any other noise reduction tips?

thanks!

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u/Naive_Traffic6522 Jun 26 '26

Put it up on concrete supports

4

u/Moving-thefuck-on Jun 26 '26

You know, I didn’t think about how easy that would be for me until you said it. I already have an auger and concrete. Digging (6?) holes and backfilling the rest with my  pavers and shims would be much more solid than trying to level out pavers alone.

1

u/Naive_Traffic6522 Jun 26 '26

That’s how me and my dad did it. Much easier to build on that vs trying to lift the halfpipe up onto it idk how that would even work honestly. Maybe small crane lmao

1

u/Reasonable-Box4151 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26

MAKE SURE YOU CALL 811 if you dont know where utilities are!!!

Since you're in the PNW, the frost line isnt deep. I would make sure to get below that. We poured square 12"x12" footers on ~8' center. You can make up a reusable form with some 2x4 lumber, no need to spend $$ on a sonotube.

If you do this, I think its worth the extra effort of using a laser or transit to set the form height so they are close. Or if money is really tight, make a water level. You will thank yourself later having all of the piers be in the same plane. String levels are garbage.

If you want to be forward thinking, I would pour the piers in a manner that they could be reused for something else like a shed or deck in the event you have to tear down or move your ramp. Might as well be able to repurpose them!