Prevent your garden shed from rotting and avoid costly repair bills with expert’s top tips

Shed in the garden

Prevent the garden shed from rotting (Image: Getty)

Shed expert Mr Sam Jenkinson, at garden building retailer , revealed how to protect the wood inside your across .

Mr Jenkinson said: “Ventilation is essential in preventing wood rot in as it helps to control moisture, which is a primary cause of wood rot, however, it often gets overlooked.

“Proper airflow removes excess moisture from the air and wood structure, reducing which can lead to fungal growth if not dealt with.”

Mr Jenkinson added: “Fungal growth hugely increases the likelihood of wood rot, so ensuring continuous air circulation and ventilation keeps the dry and prevents the environment from becoming too humid.”

Another top tip is to treat the shed with a wood preserver, which is one of the “best” prevention methods.

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Property Garden Exteriors

The shed inspection should occur once it’s been dry for a bit (Image: Getty)

Mr Jenkinson explained: “When applying your wood preservative, make sure your shed is completely dry as to not trap any moisture.

“Next, clean the surface and inspect for any damage such as signs of rot, decay, or cracks in the wood that may need to be repaired before treatment.

“Once this has been done, remove any hardware and lightly sand the surface as this will enhance the treatment’s absorption.”

The final step is to “apply the wood preservative with either a brush or roller”, which should be done on an annual basis.

Purple shed on allotment garden

Sheds need protection over winter (Image: Getty)

You should also inspect the windows and doors of the shed, looking for any areas that are “unusually soft”.

Any gaps should be filled with sealant, expanding foam or builders’ caulk; any rotten patches should be dug out with a screwdriver and filled in with wood filler.

“Once you’ve done that, sand the area down so the filled area is flush with the rest of the wood and repaint/re-stain,” advised Mr Jenkinson.

Also be wary of items stored in the shed; Mr Jenkinson advised to remove any damp items, such as paper, cardboard, and fabrics.

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