JensB's blog: Maintaining a Wood Shed

Posted on May 18, 2016 4:18 PM

I found this little guide at selectsheds.com:

Wood storage sheds take a lot of care. There are four basic forms of maintenance you will need to stay on top of in order to keep your wood shed in premium condition: managing plant life, sealing the wood, and cleaning the wood. Since wood can be penetrated by insects and weeds, and because it can be damaged by tree branches, make sure that the space you intend to install your wood shed is already completely cleared out. Trim any tree branches that look like they could potentially fall on - or otherwise penetrate - your structure, and make sure to take care of pesky, spreadable young trees and hedges before laying down your foundation. While plant life certainly complements the natural appeal of wood, do not find yourself sympathizing with pretty plants if they are known to behave invasively. There are plenty of controllable flowers, bushes, and smaller trees that you can grow next to your shed that won’t compromise its structural integrity. Since a wood shed will be a longtime fixture to your yard, keep an eye on the plant life in your yard for at least one warm season prior to installation so you are familiar with what you’re up against.


Next, you’ll want to strengthen the wood using a wood treatment. Since wood is organic and made from plant life itself, it is incredibly attractive to plant and insect life. Experts recommend treating a wood building with a strong treatment as often as every year--wood treatments will temporarily prevent water damage, rot, and insect infestation, all of which are death sentences for a wooden structure. When you initially install your shed, make sure to apply a treatment within the first week to decrease the likelihood of damages to the exposed wood. Treatments come in different colors as well as in a clear coat, so you can either enhance the color of your shed or simply apply clear layers on top to preserve the color it already has. Anytime you treat your wood, make sure to apply two to three layers, and don’t be afraid to go heavy on areas that look weak or susceptible. For example, if it is completely unavoidable to have a sprinkler regularly spray the side of the shed, that side should receive more layers than the rest of it, and you should keep an eye on it weekly to make sure nothing is penetrating it or discoloring.

There are a variety of other smaller-scale preventative measures for protecting the longevity of a wood shed. You should make sure that water easily drains off the top of your shed by adding DIY drains, or even by purchasing them from a hardware store. To resist mold or fungus growing on the inside of the shed, implement some sort of ventilation system, whether that’s a small fan in a corner that doesn’t receive any moving air or putting screens on the windows so you can open them up on summer days. You should also regularly minimize the collection of dust and debris on the outside, in windows and door frames, on inside walls, etc. This just takes wiping down the walls every once in a while with a damp rag and taking a broom to cobwebs you see forming in dark corners. If dirt is causing discoloration or seems particularly stubborn, you can mix a mild soap with warm water to gently scrub it off.

Whenever you’re out working on your yard or digging through boxes in the shed itself, look out for cracks on any area of the shed. One small crack on a side that doesn’t even have a window may pose problems in the future. It’s better to take care of a small crack than to deal with the damages, like water or plant life penetration, that will inevitably ensue without proper care. However, if a crack gets so far out of hand that a little sanding and finishing doesn’t resolve it, you might want to look into hiring an expert to take care of it for you. Unless you’re familiar with how to work with wood and replace it without damaging other sections, a contractor will take away the stress of doing something wrong. Any care and maintenance you invest in your shed is going to keep it in your yard longer, so it’s usually worth it to pay a little more to protect its quality and lifespan.

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