Sheds and garages are not only for storage purposes. Instead, you can use them as perfect winter hideaways and transform them into your favorite reading spot, jamming room, meditation area, or guest room. For this, it is necessary to make sure your shed is in perfect condition and ready to combat the upcoming winter season.
Sturdily built sheds can also degrade with time. That is why these sheds need maintenance and care to ensure that they are usable. Maintaining your shed is important no matter the season. However, keeping them ready for winter and maintaining them becomes more important due to the harsh conditions. Snowfall and heavy rain can seep into the shed making the environment uncomfortable.
So how can you make your shed winter-ready? Follow some of the tips below to keep your shed protected in the severe winter weather.
Identify Their Material
The first step towards maintaining your shed in winter is identifying the type of material it is made out of. If they are made of wood, their care steps will be different from that of a metal one.
A wooden shed is made of lumber or timber, and is more prone to mold and termite damage. Metal sheds are made of steel, aluminum, or copper, which might develop rust. For each type of shed, there is a type of upkeep that can only be applied to that type of shed.
For example, wooden sheds can be treated with wood preservatives or timber treatments. However, metal sheds don’t need this type of treatment, and other types of protecting layers are used on metal sheds which are different from that of a wooden one.
Inspect The Roof
The roof of your shed is the part of your shed that is most exposed to snow and rain in the winter. Check your shed’s roof using a stepladder and identify any cracks or missing parts. Also, pay special attention to the apex and edges of the roof. Check the areas around the nail heads, as these are the most likely to fail first. If you notice that your shed might need some repairs, call a shed company near you.
Check The Gutters
There are gutters and eaves on your shed that are responsible for the outflow of water to prevent it from accumulating on the roof. If there is undirected runoff, it can cause muddy puddles.
Gutters can also help you in collecting rainwater so you can use it in the future. Any damage to the gutters can disturb the water flow and damage your shed in the winter. Moreover, the rainwater might seep inside the shed and damage the stored items.
Therefore, check that the gutters are in proper working condition. You can also opt for french drains for water flow. They are useful where water builds up against walls and buildings. They allow water to flow towards the lower side of the ground filled with stones and shingles.
Check The Floor
Mice, rodents, bugs, and snakes usually make their way inside the shed via the floor. When the floor of your shed is damaged, it not only welcomes these rodents but also gives a poor foundation for the items stored in the shed.
The floor is the base of the shed, and it must be in good condition so you can store the items inside or convert your shed into whichever type of space you want. Check for any signs of subsidence and repair them as soon as possible to avoid further damages.
Organize Your Shed
It depends on what you are thinking to convert your shed into. If you want to convert it into a storage shed, you will need to organize things and place them in a manner, so they are readily available whenever you need them.
If you are thinking of converting it into a space where you can relax, you will need to plan accordingly and decorate as you want. Moreover, it is also important to make your shed waterproof to make it ready for the winter.
About Stahl Strutures
Get custom-built quality craftsmanship with Stahl Strutures. We build aesthetically pleasing, portable sheds and garages in Edmonton. Get in touch with us here for more information about our products and services.