Gravel around perimeter of pole barn

[Bronco82]

A few years back I had a 24 x 40 pole barn put up with metal siding. The front has two large sliding doors to get things in and out and it has a gravel floor. There is about a 4 inch gap at the bottom of the doors which does allow airflow. At the bottom of the walls, I have noticed daylight peaking through when inside.

I recently obtained some leftover gravel from a friend who ordered too much and put it at the perimeter of the barn, both inside and out. Of course, once completed, I began to doubt my idea to do that wondering if it will cause the tin to prematurely rust or if there was any other negative to the added gravel.

Of course everyone does better with pictures, so here are two, one of inside and one of outside.

 

[fidowanttobe]

I'm not seeing that you have much choice in the matter as you don't have a bottom grade board that is IN the dirt. Then, yes, you gravel right up to the treated board while the metal stops a couple inches up on the treated board. I do believe in time that your metal will rust the way you have it.

 

[Bronco82]

Definitely no bottom grade board that is in the dirt.

Would you recommend removing the gravel up to the tin inside and outside, or just one or the other?

 

[EddieWalker]

The gravel will allow moisture to remain longer then no gravel. How well it drains will decide on how long the water remains. The longer the metal stays wet, the faster it will rust. If it was mine, I would not have anything touching the bottom of the metal.

Having said that, it is very common for the metal to rest on the concrete when a foundation is poured.

Eventually the metal will rust, all you can do is slow it down as much as possible.

I think that the gravel on the inside of the building is all you need.

 

[drizler]

I can think of a good way to get rid of it. Right along the drip line dig a shovel head deep trench. Fill that with a piece of 4” drain pipe, the roll stuff. Sweep that gravel back over it as a cover and your inside will always be dry as a bone. Just run it off to the side a bit and put in small dry wells of gravel at those ends
We did that for ours long ago because it was at the base of a wet slope which gets lots of rain. Always dry as a bone.
That might serve you as a way to get rid of the top gravel touching your tin. And provide great drainage for it in the process.