Posted By Cathy Scholes On 03-11-2016
Winter is just around the corner and chances are most of your gardening activities will be coming to an end. The winter can be long, harsh and cold and this can have an adverse effect on your shed. Therefore, you need take steps to ensure that your garden shed is properly prepared for the winter. Here are a few suggestions to help you do this.
Inspect Your Shed
Do a thorough inspection of your shed before you close it up for the winter season. Check to see what repairs it might need. This is important especially if the shed is made out of wood, as wood can be particularly vulnerable to wet conditions. If it is an old garden shed, you should give it a coat of paint. The roof is especially important because a weak roof can easily collapse under the weight of snow. Repair or replace the roof if need be.
Secure Your Shed
When left unattended for a long time, a winter shed is more susceptible to burglary. Make sure that your garden shed is secured properly by placing secure locks at the top and the bottom of the shed. Also secure the windows, as this can be a potential entry point for burglars. If you want to get a little more high tech (and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to do that), invest in some lighting, and maybe even an alarm and security camera.
Clean Out Your Shed
You might have a lot of debris and junk piled up in your shed. It is best to clean this out before the winter sets in. Cleaning your shed is not just for aesthetics, it is also sanitary. Debris can attract bacteria and rodents and both are bad for your shed—especially if your shed is made out of wood. Old tools can rot over the winter; if you know you don’t want them anymore it’s best to throw them out now rather than later.
Check the Weatherstripping
Check the weatherstripping around your doors and windows. If you have good weatherstripping, most of the moisture will be kept out of your shed. Don’t neglect this part – it can save you a lot of money in the future.
Getting your winter shed ready for winter might not be at the top of your to-do list, but if you take a little time to prepare it, you will save yourself a lot of trouble in the spring. For more advice on winter preparation or additional things you might need, visit our website or give us a call.