A shed is a considerable investment that allows you to store your belongings, keeping them secure and dry. However, in spite of your efforts, there are a variety of things that can threaten the integrity of your shed. Following a few simple recommendations can help to ensure your shed's exterior, roof, and walls will continue to protect your valuables for years come.

Protecting your shed against the damage that water can inflict is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your shed lasts. For instance, water that runs off a roof tends to splash against the sides of the shed. During heavy rains, water can pool around the building. When it pools, it can erode the foundation or rot the lower edges of your walls.

The best way to ensure water will not wreak havoc on your shed is to install gutters as they will guide the water away from the eaves and the sides of the building. Additionally, the downspouts ensure the water is directed away from the building and are designed to allow you to decide exactly where the excess water will flow once it hits the ground.

Keeping your floor dry will help maintain the look as well as the structural integrity of the floorboards. For instance, it is recommended that you clean up oil and fuel spills immediately. With chemicals like these, you can easily maintain the floor using a bit of cat litter or sawdust as both are extremely absorbent.

If your shed’s floor is not made of durable material, you should consider painting it. Floor paints are specially designed to add a layer of protection against things like moisture, ensuring your floor will last.

If your shed does not have a protective coating, painting the outside of the building is another great way to keep your shed looking good and ensuring wet spots do not begin to mold or rot. If you have a woodshed, you should apply a fresh coat of paint approximately every five years.

To determine if your shed needs a new coat of paint, you can look for signs that the paint is starting to fail. For instance, peeling and cracking are good indicators that your shed needs to be painted. In fact, cracks and peeling indicate the paint is no longer providing a protective seal, and you should re-paint your shed immediately to ensure the wood is not damaged.

If your shed has a wooden floor, you should be sure to construct a gravel pad to place the shed on. A gravel pad will help to keep the floor dry. However, you should be sure that the pad is, at a minimum, one inch wider and longer than your shed. This extra space will help keep weeds and grass from growing around the bottom of your shed and vines from attaching to the walls.

You should never place mulch against your shed or allow dirt to accumulate anywhere near the sides of your shed. Mulch and dirt hold moisture. Moisture helps mold and mildew growth. It also can cause a wooden shed to rot. In fact, you should not stack anything against the side of your shed. Keeping the sides of the shed free and clear of stuff will ensure that it dries completely after it rains.

Keeping your shed level is important as a level shed will maintain its structural integrity. A shed that is not level will, over time, continue to shift and ultimately cause significant damage to the walls and roof. Doors that do not close properly are a good indicator that your shed is not level. If you notice your doors no longer close correctly, you may need to re-level your shed. For help with this type of repair, you can do an online search for “ShedQuotes” because a shed that has shifted will continue to put undue strain on bolts and other connecting points.

Your shed is not designed to provide shelter for critters. A good way to help minimize an animal’s ability to make a home under your shed or chew up your wood flooring is to install a rodent guard. However, the rodent guard should be made of a material that is breathable because a breathable guard will not trap moisture under your shed. You should also be sure to plug any holes as rodents will enter your shed via even the tiniest of holes.

Jim Pulman has extensive knowledge and experience in Home Building, Construction, and Design. He writes articles in his free time and partners with content creators to share his expertise with the online community. You can reach him in his email if you have any questions - jp@jimpulman.com