Looking for and Locating Leaks in your Garden Shed

Garden Shed Leaking? Learn How To Prevent Leaks C&S ShedsIs your garden shed leaking? If you have a garden shed where you keep your gardening tools and equipment, bikes, camping kit, garden furniture, etc., then you need to know that it’s a safe, dry place in which to store your stuff.  This means doing a leak test once or twice a year, preferably at the end of winter and at the end of summer, the two seasons which bring the most extreme weather conditions.  We’ve already told you how to check the structural integrity of your shed with the Shed Shake Test, so today we’re going to take a look at how to check for leaks that allow water into your shed which risks damaging some of your valuable stuff.

  • Check the inside walls and roof of your shed, in particular looking for signs of discolouration, stains, streaks or darker patches which could signify dripping or pooling water.  Check any fabrics kept in the shed for discolouration that could mean mould is beginning to grow on them.  However, it’s vital to remember that the growth of mould can also be caused by condensation.
  • Condensation occurs when moisture in the air collects onto a cold surface so make sure your shed is adequately ventilated to avoid condensation problems.
  • Check all the stuff in your shed, looking for signs of water dripping onto them or rust on tools.
  • Check the gutters (if your shed has them) and make sure they’re clear of debris.
  • Cut back any vegetation growing against the outside walls of the shed as this could cause damp to take a hold.
  • Wait for the rain (that shouldn’t be too long) and check the shed for any signs of water ingress – puddles, drips, etc.

If you do find any signs of your garden shed leaking, then fixing it immediately is essential in order to protect the equipment stored in your shed.  However, repairing leaks in an old shed may not be the most cost-efficient approach, especially when you consider that a wooden shed will need to be treated annually to prolong its life.  Perhaps the most effective solution would be a new shed that features PVC cladding over a steel frame – a shed that is not so susceptible to leaks and damp.

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