During the summer and even the winter months, we like to have a shed for storing tools and equipment for gardening purposes.
However, due to the nature of sheds being outside, it is vulnerable to dampness. This is where you need damp proofing to provide protection against moisture damaging your shed. In this article, we will provide all helpful tips on keeping your shed damp free.
The main types of dampness that can cause damage to your shed are water ingress and condensation.
If these damp problems are affecting your shed, then this provides a damp atmosphere, which will then lead to damaging the wooden structure of the shed as well as providing the ideal conditions for corrosion and rust. Once this occurs, it will cause damage to the contents within the shed. To make sure this does not happen, waterproofing and damp proofing should be undertaken.
Regular Maintenance of the Shed Roof
One of the main steps to making sure your shed damp proof is carrying out regular maintenance. One area that is not often looked at is the roof of the shed. Roofs are particularly vulnerable to dampness, mainly due to rainfall.
Just like the house, you should look out for any gaps or holes that could mean that water could enter the shed. If there are any holes or gaps found, then these should be repaired as necessary.
Regular Maintenance of Walls, Windows and Doors
Just like the roof of the shed, the walls, windows and doors need to be regularly maintained. Wood treatment should be ideally applied once a year. It is best to stop the rot before it starts so your damage is not affected by decay and dampness. Check regularly for damage and decay to windows and doors and carry out repairs as necessary. Wood can begin to crack over time so adding a wood filler can stop rainwater from seeping through the gaps.
Install Insulation
To prevent dampness in your shed one of the most efficient ways is to install insulation. Just like a house, when there are constant temperature changes this provides the ideal scenario for condensation and therefore mould.
If insulation is installed within your shed, then will allow for the temperature to be more consistent. If there is also a consistent air flow in and out of the shed then the chances of mould problems are greatly reduced. Having insulation installed is one of the main methods keeping moisture through condensation at bay.
Improving Ventilation
As already mentioned, ventilation is key to making sure the damp problems do not occur within the shed. Simply opening and doors (when it is dry) on regular basis will help keep the moisture levels down. Keeping regular airflow in and out of the shed will help prevent damp from building up. If you want to provide ‘automatic’ airflow, then you might want to look into adding passive air vents on either side of the wall.
Damp Proofing a Shed Before it is Even Built
If you don’t have a shed already built then yet, then it might be worth adding protection against damp as part of the plans for construction. One of the main reasons that sheds are vulnerable to damp is because of the moisture being drawn up from the ground.
Timber naturally attracts moisture and this is where damp problems start to occur. One way to overcome this from happening is to make sure that the shed is constructed with a sturdy platform and is not in direct contact with the ground beneath. With this in place, the structure will then help prevent moisture being drawn up from the ground.
Keeping Tools and Equipment in Storage Boxes
Even with all the methods of damp proofing described above, dampness may still affect your shed. To prevent the tools and equipment from becoming damaged it might be worth investing in storage containers, boxes or even drawers.
Any of those storage contents will help prevent any of your tools and equipment being affected rust and corrosion.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided you with some useful tips on damp proofing for your shed. Carrying out regular maintenance, adding insulation and improving ventilation are the key methods for keeping your shed dry and damp free.
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