For many people, their main quandary is whether or not they should get a shed in the first place. But if you already have one, it’s a different discussion. A garden shed is a significant commitment. When you first put it up, you don’t expect to replace it. You probably assume it will need repairs or repainting, but that’s it.
Because you’re not looking to pull it down and construct a new one, you may not notice the signs. If you installed the shed yourself, it should have 10 or 20 years of life. However, if the shed was already there when you moved in, you don’t know how long it’s been standing. You have no way of verifying that it was well constructed, or that sound materials were used.
Whether you’re worried about the state of your shed or just curious, inspect your shed thoroughly to see if there are any signs of trouble. Start by standing a few metres away from the shed and look at it. Is it leaning to one side? If you’re unsure, try inspecting it from an elevated position like an upstairs window inside your house.
Leaning usually means the ground beneath the shed is sinking. It could be due to tectonic shifts or rising damp. You’d have to tear down the whole shed and lay a new foundation for more effective waterproofing. If you’re sure it’s leaning, come closer and walk around the walls of the shed before going inside. Does anything smell damp?
Garden sheds are often made of wood, concrete, or stone so that moisture can affect the walls. If you can sense that musty wet smell, it means the damage to the walls and floors is intense. These materials will probably not be reusable, so you may have to discard them as you construct your new shed. You can also inspect doors and structural frames for water damage.
Also Read This: Signs you need to replace the old timber shed
Now, look at the internal walls, corners, cracks, and crevices. Do you have a pest problem? If your worst issue is cobwebs, it’s probably just neglect. But you may find signs of worse infestation. You might have termites, fungi, worms, or small rodents. Getting rid of these issues can be labour-intensive. You need fumigators followed by a thorough cleaning.
If the problem is above the surface of the shed, then it’s fine, but if the pests have gotten inside the walls themselves, burrowed into the walls, or nested in the ceiling, you have to decide whether elimination and pest control is more costly than tearing the whole thing down. Because even after the pests are gone, their nasty scent will remain.
Another thing to check for is discolouration. If the shed is wooden, it may have light and dark patches that indicate rot. A stone wall may have mildew, fungus, or moss, while painted walls may have damp patches and water stains.
Look at the bottoms of the walls to see if there are any cracks, and check how far along the walls they rise. If all these issues are present, it’s time for a new shed. Consider getting a PVC shed that is easy-to-install and will avoid all the challenges of wood or stone sheds. Here at Col Western Sheds, we have multiple models to choose from, so it’s worth a visit.
To get yourself a beautiful, stylish, long-lasting garden shed, call Col Western Sheds today on 4632 4222.