Weather Proofing Your
Shed
Autumn is fast approaching and
the high wind speeds, and large volume of rainfall that comes with it can take not just a toll on
you, but also on your shed. To ensure the long life of your shed and protect it
(and the items inside) from rotting and damp, it is important to maintain the
roof, door and windows and to keep the shed waterproof.
Protecting the Roof
Check
Your Roofing System
It is important to remember that your roofing system, whether it is shed
felt, felt shingles or some form of rubber roofing, does not last forever. In
fact the typical shed felt is said to work for approximately only five years
before it will start letting water pass through it. It is important to know how
long your roofing system will last so you not only know when to
replace it, but can also save yourself spending a lot of time and money on
repairs in the future.
Repair
Visible Cracks
You can repair minor cracks in the wood simply by using duct tape and
wood filler. Applying wood filler from the outside of the shed, and placing
duct tape over the crack from the inside will stop any leakages. Certain wood
fillers (such as Cuprinols ‘Ultra Tough Wood Filler) can be sanded, painted,
stained or varnished when dried to make the repair less visible.
Protecting the
Windows and Doors
Install a Rain
Protector
To stop rain seeping through into your shed through your door a ‘rain
protector ‘(AKA Rain deflector) should be fitted onto the top part of it. Rain
protectors can be bought easily online and are often made of waterproof materials
such as UPVC plastic and aluminium, however attaching a piece of inclined wood
to the top of door would also work.
Re-Seal Your Windows
If water is gathering around the edges of your windows they most likely
need to apply a new layer of sealant. http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6630168_fix-window-leaks-removal.html has
a step by step guide on how to fix window leaks which you may find helpful.
Protecting the Wood
Add/ Reapply a
Waterproof Coating
When buying a wood preserver the most effective ones tend to be
breathable, stopping moisture getting in, but also allowing it to escape thus
preventing damp and a build up of rot. Before applying wood preserver you
should try to make sure that your shed is clean, dry and free from any type of
paint. You should add a new coat about every 3-4 years to keep the walls
weather proof.
‘Clean’ the Wood
It may sound trivial, but by ‘cleaning’ the walls and roof of
your shed you help to keep it weather proof and allow the whole shed to last
longer. It is particularly important to do this after snowfall as melted snow
can freeze into gaps and cause cracks to appear in the wood.
By doing all of these things your shed should be
completely protected from the elements, however more serious cracks and rotting
of the wood may require for parts of the shed to be replaced completely.
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9KdIQZX1fs A
useful video on how to fit shed felt onto the roof of your shed.)
For more tips, or to buy any of the products
mentioned in this post please visit our website http://www.lanleesupplies.co.uk/Products/Logs_Firewood_Kindling and like our Facebook
Page https://www.facebook.com/LanleeSupplies/
No comments:
Post a Comment