A garden shed is a very useful fixture that gives you more storage and can even be used as an outdoor entertainment space if you set it up in the right way. A well-built shed can last for years, but only if you look after it properly. Unfortunately, a lot of people neglect their garden shed and after a few years, the wood starts to rot and the whole thing becomes useless. That’s easily avoidable if you take a few simple steps to care for it. Here’s how to look after your garden shed. 

Treat The Wood Regularly 

Treating the wood is the best thing you can do to look after your shed because it protects it from the elements. You can use either water or oil preserve on the wood, but don’t mix both because the top layer will begin to peel off. Ideally, you should apply a new layer of wood stain or paint once every year to make sure that your shed is adequately protected from the weather. Autumn is the best time of the year to do it, so you are ready for the cold, wet winter months. 

Check For Holes 

Even if you treat the wood, water will still get in through any holes, causing the damp and rot to set in. So, when you treat the shed, you should always check for any holes or loose panels that need to be fixed. You should also look carefully for holes that could be made by pests. Lots of tiny holes could indicate that you have woodworm and perfectly round holes, often with stains around them, usually suggest carpenter bee damage, which needs to be dealt with right away. Woodworm is fairly easy to get rid of yourself but if your shed is filled with carpenter bees, you will need to call in a professional exterminator to get rid of them and make sure that they are not elsewhere on the property. 

When you are checking for holes, don’t forget to check the roof. Any gaps in the roof will let rain in and cause some serious damage to the shed, so they need to be fixed immediately. 

Trim Back Nearby Plants 

Trees and shrubs that are in direct contact with the shed can cause problems. After it has been raining, you need good airflow to allow the shed to dry out, and plants can block the airflow. This means that water sits and soaks into the wood and causes rot. So, cut back any plants that are close to the shed to give it plenty of space. 

Check The Lock 

It’s vital that you have a lock on your shed for a few reasons; firstly, it protects you from burglaries and secondly, it gives you control over who goes into the shed, which is vital if you are trying to create a child-friendly garden. Padlocks can rust and break over time, so check it regularly and upgrade it if necessary. 

Keep up with these simple maintenance jobs and your shed will stay in great condition for years to come.