Three Parts of Your Shed You Need to Check Now to Make Sure They Don’t Rot in the Rain
It’s raining cats and dogs, which shows that summer is definitely over for this year.
While most of us are ready to put away our garden tools until spring, there are a few chores you should do before you hang them up.
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The Met Office has issued warnings for the whole of the UK as heavy rainfall and flooding are expected.
As the country continues to be battered by chaotic weather, outdoor building experts at GardenBuildingsDirect are warning homeowners to prepare their sheds, summerhouses and garden buildings for the colder months to avoid damage.
If precautions are not taken, wooden structures can suffer from moisture and rot, which can lead to structural problems.
A spokesperson for the pilot company told the Emphatic: “Protecting wooden sheds, garden houses and other outdoor buildings will extend their lifespan and save you money on replacement costs.”
Ceilings and floors
One way to prepare your shed for the winter months is to ensure that the top and bottom are protected from the natural elements.
The base of the shed should be raised so that it rests on a wooden panel or concrete surface.
This prevents the bottom of your shed from touching the ground, which can cause it to become damp and even rot.
To ensure your shed roof is safe, check the roofing felt or shingles for signs of deterioration or replace them.
These should be replaced regularly as they protect the roof and provide insulation.
Windows and doors
By properly maintaining windows and doors, your shed will remain waterproof during the winter months.
Over time, wood can shrink and crack around window frames, allowing water to easily enter.
To fix the problem, fill any holes with wood filler. Do the same for wood that is already rotten.
Ventilation is also important, but you don’t want to leave windows open in a shed when it’s raining or snowing heavily.
Instead, opt for static ventilation openings in the shed and use a fly screen to keep insects out.
Garden work in September
As September begins, so does autumn. Veronica Lorraine, gardening editor at The Sun, has a few jobs to keep you busy as the summer sun fades.
1. Start thinking about spring bulbs
It’s early bulb season! As well as the more traditional daffodils, crocuses, alliums and bluebells, try snake-head fragillaries for something a little different.
2. Think of the bees
Be sure to continue to feed the bees with fall-flowering pollinators such as stonecrop, honeysuckle and asters.
3. Dig and enjoy your potatoes
The potatoes from the main crop are ready to be harvested. Make sure you harvest them all so they are not damaged by slugs.
4. Change your lawn mowing schedule
Raise the height of your lawn mower and start reducing the amount of mowing you do. Fertilize it in the fall, especially if you didn’t get around to it over the summer, and start raking to remove thatch.
5. Plant new perennials while the soil is still warm.
6. Take cuttings of salvia
It is as easy as cutting a shoot tip above a node and throwing it in a glass of water to see if roots develop. Especially with delicate Salvias that do not survive the winter.
7. Give camellias enough water so that buds will form again next year.
8. Keep removing faded flowers and watering your hanging baskets
They must continue until the first frost.
9. Make pumpkins Halloween-ready
Remove any leaves that are covering the pumpkins so they are ready for Halloween. Also make sure to water them regularly as they are very thirsty.
10. Check your pond
Cover your pond with a net to prevent it from filling up with fallen leaves when the trees start to fall.
Wood preservation
Preserving your wood annually will extend its lifespan and make it more resistant to wet weather.
This will prevent wood rot, mold and algae in your shed. It is best to choose a wood preservative that is suitable for the wood of your shed, so do your research before you buy.
