Shed Maintenance

Once your new garden shed has pride of place in your garden it is a mistake to just assume that your shed will withstand whatever the elements throw at it without showing signs of wear and tear. If however you decide to invest a little time and effort with minimal cost you can save yourself from the hassle of having to replace your shed early.

The wooden shed you purchase is usually supplied completely untreated except from the floor joists, it is highly recommended that you treat your shed within 2 weeks of it being installed. Treatments are available in a wide range of colours; remember however that the resulting colour will vary according to which kind of timber your shed is made from. If you are overly concerned or wish your shed to match existing wood such as a fence or patio set, it is wise to test the treatment on an inconspicuous area and check the colour result when dry.

When selecting the treatment for you shed check that the one you select is suitable for panelled wood and not intended for sawn timber. When actually applying the treatment make sure that all corners and crevices are coated with the treatment by using a stippling technique, this will prevent any moisture from seeping in.

As timber is a natural material it will alter with changes in humidity and temperature, if the weather remains consistently dry for a long period of time cracks will appear between the wooden boards. These cracks normally disappear when the weather returns to normal and cannot really be avoided. These small cracks do not affect the static load bearing capacity of the shed.

If you notice gaps appearing between the boards of the shed this can be a tell tale sign of bolts being over tightened during the sheds assembly. Loosen the bolts to prevent the problem recurring and using a mallet and wooden block tap the boards back into the correct position. Another possible cause of gaps between the shed boards is that the timber has been prevented from moving naturally, this would occur if fixtures are installed within the shed.

When treating your shed ensure that you treat the windows and doors as the function of these can be severely affected by humidity and changes in temperature. If the weather conditions are wet the timber will expand and if the conditions are dry the timber will contract, which can result in annoying ill fitting doors and windows.

It is recommended that treatment be carried out annually unless the treatment you use suggests otherwise. When carrying out your annual maintenance routine do not neglected the roof of your shed which is usually covered in felt. Roofing felt is affected by changes in temperature as well as any movement; these changes often result in a rippling effect but do not in any way reduce the effectiveness of the roofing felt.

Making sure you carry out maintenance of you shed may be a bind but a well cared for shed will function without any problems for many, many years. It is similar in some respects as looking after your trusty vehicle, if you don’t bother with maintenance you will simply run it to the ground. It will cost you more money and you will end up buying a new one anyway.

Jenny Austin is an expert in Sheds, for further information on how to choose your Wooden Shed , or which Garden Shed service to choose please visit beastsheds.co.uk.