It may be small and forgotten at this time of year, nestled at the bottom of your garden but, in order to keep your shed fit for purpose as a store for garden tools, seeds, spring bulbs and the lawnmower, it is a good idea to give it a maintenance check at least once a year.
Sheds can be prone to damp and wood rot and infestations of insects and small animals, like mice and rats. Once you find rotting wood, you will need to cut out the affected area and replace with new timber. It’s also a good idea to check out the source of rot and deal with that so the problem does not reoccur. You can prevent insect and animal infestations by spraying the interior of your shed with appropriate insecticides.
Grab a ladder and have a look at your roofing felt for any leaks and cracks. This may need replacing and it is quite a straightforward DIY job that most householders can undertake themselves. Make sure you fit the new felt as flat as you can, smoothing out any bumps and ridges before nailing down.
Painting the exterior of your shed will also help it to last longer and will make it look smart. You probably won’t need to do this every year but, if you live in an area with particularly heavy rainfall, then you might want to also consider waterproofing the sides.
