One of the most important upgrades to your home is the outdoor shed that houses all of your important tools that don’t have space in our houses.
The location of the shed is important, keep the shed away from unlevel ground and trees. Airflow and a sturdy foundation prevent water from seeping in from the ground. Waterproof the walls and use water-resistant sealants. Ensure that you seal the roof of the shed to protect it from rainwater.
To prevent any damage to your shed and your tools, it is important to take measures to protect them from excess moisture. This can include applying a coat of rust-inhibiting paint or sealant and storing tools and equipment in a dry location within the shed.
It is important to note that because your shed is located outdoors, it is exposed to various weather conditions, such as rain, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. This constant exposure can lead to the development of rust on the shed, as well as on any tools or equipment stored inside.
As such, we are here to look at the many ways that you can use to waterproof your shed so that you can minimize moisture as much as possible.
Why Is It Necessary To Waterproof Your Shed?
When it comes to your shed, there is no denying the fact that you need to make sure that you waterproof it or that you protect it from the elements in almost every way possible. That’s because sheds are generally located outside where they are exposed to a lot of different conditions that can easily cause extra moisture to build up on the outside or inside of the shed.
Still, even though it is common knowledge that you need to waterproof your shed, why do you even need to do so in the first place? Why is it necessary to waterproof your shed?
Well, the reason you need to waterproof your shed is to make it last longer and to protect everything that’s inside the shed. Your shed serves as the housing for your tools, which are necessary for homeowners if they want to have separate storage on the property. And if you don’t waterproof your shed, you might as well say goodbye to the durability of these stored items in the shed.
For starters, what happens when the shed isn’t waterproofed is that it will allow water or, at the very least, excess moisture to build up inside it. If tools were to get exposed to water or excess moisture, what happens is that rust will start to form as the water oxidizes the metals that make up your tools.
And, when it comes to your power tools, the electrical components that make them run will also get damaged when they get exposed to water. So, in the most basic sense, failing to waterproof your shed will damage or even render the tools inside the shed useless. When your tools get damaged, you might as well have to buy new ones to replace them.
Then there is also an issue with the shed’s exterior. If you fail to waterproof the exterior even if you did your best to keep the moisture out of the shed’s interior, what happens is that your shed won’t last as long as it should.
This is due to the large part of how sheds are made of materials such as wood and metal, which can easily lose their durability when they get exposed to water and excess moisture for long periods.
Wooden sheds or portions of your shed, when exposed to too much water without getting the waterproofing they need, will end up rotting away if it was not treated right or at all. The same goes for any metal sheds. If not protected from water and excess moisture it will also end up rusting away.
With that said, it becomes clear how important it is to make sure that you waterproof your shed. Not only will you end up wasting money on tools that need to be replaced often due to rust, but you will also end up having to spend money on repairing the shed or even putting up a new one.
All of this leads to the conclusion that you will end up having to spend more money on replacements and repairs if the shed is not waterproofed. And while waterproofing the shed will also cost you money initially, the long-term effects of waterproofing your shed will outweigh the short-term costs that you will incur.
In short, if you don’t want to end up spending more money, you must waterproof your shed, especially if you live somewhere that sees constant rainfall or is somewhat humid.
How Do You Keep Moisture Away From Your Shed?
Now that you know that it is very important to make sure that you keep moisture away from your shed, let’s look at some of the best ways for you to waterproof it.
Start With The Location
When you put your shed up or when you are still planning on a good spot for it, consider that the location of the shed plays a vital role here. You might already be aware that you need to follow a certain set of legal requirements to install a shed. Such as the fact that you need to keep a good distance between it and the property boundary line of the property.
However, you should also know that installing it somewhere strategic can help keep moisture away from it. For example, keeping your shed away from areas that are prone to water collection, such as unlevel grounds, can allow you to minimize the chances of your shed getting exposed to excess moisture. Try to take note of any pooling in the area where you are planning on building the shed on your property. As such, you must find a strategic spot or fix up(level) a spot that won’t expose the shed to water or too much moisture.
Placing your shed too close to a fence or a tree can be detrimental to its overall health and longevity. This is because it can restrict the flow of air in and out of the shed, which can lead to the buildup of moisture inside.
While it may seem like a good idea to keep the shed close to a tree for protection from rain, falling leaves and branches can also expose the shed to excess moisture, as well as block some of the openings that allow air to pass through the shed.
To minimize the risk of excess moisture, it is important to keep your shed in a location that allows for good airflow. This may also mean keeping your shed a certain distance from fences or property lines, as required by local laws.
A good location for your shed is near a paved pathway on your property. Not only will this make it easy for you to access the shed, but it will also help to minimize the buildup of moisture underneath the shed, as water is less likely to accumulate on a paved surface.
The Base Is Important
Before you construct your shed, it is important to ensure that you have a strong and sturdy foundation in place. This will not only help to keep the shed stable, but it will also help to keep water away from the shed.
The ground on your property can become quite moist due to the absorption of rainwater. If you build the shed directly on the ground without a proper foundation, or if you have a poorly constructed foundation, excess moisture can seep into the shed from the ground.
Even if you have taken measures to waterproof the roof and walls of the shed, this will be ineffective if water can enter the shed from the ground.
To protect your shed from excess moisture coming from the ground, consider the following tips:
Raise The Shed Off The Ground
To avoid direct contact with wet soil during rainy conditions, it is advisable to place your shed on an elevated base. This means building a foundation that is lifted off the ground and keeps the base of the shed away from the soil.
One way to do this is by constructing a base with legs that will keep the entire structure elevated. The legs do not have to be very tall, just a few inches should suffice to keep the base away from the ground.
Raising the base of your shed also has the added benefit of improving airflow under the shed. This helps to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the shed, ensuring that it remains dry and well-ventilated.
Choose The Right Foundation
If you are considering raising your shed off the ground, it is essential to select the appropriate foundation for it. There are various options available, but the one that is most suitable for you may depend on your specific circumstances.
One option that is often recommended is a concrete pier or deck foundation. This is a cost-effective solution and is not too challenging to construct. When properly built, concrete pier foundations can last for many years or even decades.
Another option is a concrete pad, which can serve as a solid foundation for your shed. It is crucial to ensure that the size of the pad is similar to the base of the shed so that it is large enough to support the entire structure.
To protect the foundation from moisture, it is advisable to install a damp-proof membrane on top of the gravel base before adding the concrete. This will prevent water or moisture from seeping into the concrete, which can weaken it and reduce its durability.
If you want to save time, you may consider using concrete blocks as a foundation. This is a viable option if you do not have access to a concrete mixer, as concrete blocks can be purchased ready-made.
Seal The Base
It is essential to seal the base of the shed to prevent water and moisture from entering the shed from the ground. The best way to do this is to apply a sealant between the concrete and the base of the shed to prevent moisture from the soil from transferring to the base or concrete.
It is also important to seal around the base of the shed from the interior, as some shed bases have metal channels that can trap water, leading to rust, rot, and mold.
If the channels become filled with water during rain, sealing the base from the outside will trap the water in the channels, while sealing from the inside will allow the water to escape or prevent it from entering the channels in the first place. This will allow moisture to escape through the corners of the base.
Build A Drainage System
The drainage system is the final step in ensuring the base is waterproofed. Building a drainage system around the shed’s base will allow water to escape from the shed and stay as far away from it as possible.
You can build a sound drainage system by adding a gravel pad around the shed’s foundation. What will happen here is that the gravel pad will allow water a place to go as it essentially moves away from the shed.
Another thing you can do is to create a path that the rainwater can follow as it rolls down the walls of the shed. You want the water to exit on a downward trajectory so that the water will keep on moving and will not form pools around the base of the shed.
Waterproof The Walls
After constructing or assembling a shed on a solid, waterproof base, the next step is to waterproof the walls to prevent water and moisture from seeping into the shed. One option is to choose water-resistant materials, such as cedarwood, for the walls when building the shed.
Another option is to apply a waterproof sealant to the walls, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. This will stop moisture from infiltrating the walls and give the shed a polished appearance. If you prefer to paint the shed, use waterproof paint to add an extra layer of protection against moisture.
Finally, you can also add siding to the walls as an additional layer of protection. Wood is a common siding material, but be sure to treat it with water sealant or paint to keep it from being damaged by water.
Build A Ventilation System
After waterproofing the walls of your shed, the next step is to build a ventilation system that allows for the free flow of air in and out of the shed. This is important because air carries water vapor that can condense and turn into moisture when trapped in an enclosed space.
In humid environments, this can be a particular problem for sheds without proper ventilation. There are several options for ventilation systems, such as windows, air vents, and exhaust fans. Exhaust fans, which can be installed on opposite walls inside the shed, are the most effective option, but they require access to electricity.
Alternatively, windows and air vents can also be useful, but they may be less effective at preventing excess moisture from entering the shed. To further aid the ventilation system, you can also use a dehumidifier or cat litter, which absorbs excess moisture in the air, to decrease the humidity levels inside the shed and prevent condensation.
Waterproof The Roof
It is important to ensure that your shed is waterproof, as the roof serves as the first line of defense against rainwater. This is true for all buildings, which require a roof that will keep the interior protected from rain.
When choosing a roofing material for your shed, it is important to consider its effectiveness in keeping the shed waterproof. Most roofing materials, such as shingles or metal sheets, are made to be waterproof, though some, such as felt, may be more expensive and less durable.
Asphalt shingles are a common choice for garden sheds due to their overlap design, which helps to keep out rainwater. However, the most effective material for waterproofing is a light metal sheet, as it can completely prevent water from entering the shed and can last for up to two decades with proper maintenance.
Install And Clean The Gutters
The roof of your home and shed both benefit from having gutters to guide rainwater away from the roof and towards a drainage system. This helps to protect the roof and walls from water damage and excess moisture.
Gutter systems typically consist of PVC pipes or other water-resistant materials formed into trays that are installed along the sides of the roof to catch falling water. This can also extend the lifespan of the waterproofing on the walls of the shed.
However, the gutters must be connected to an effective drainage system that keeps the water away from the base of the shed. Clogged gutters can cause water to pool and potentially damage the shed if they overflow.
Regular cleaning of the gutters is essential to prevent clogs, but leaf guards can also be installed to keep larger debris out. Even with leaf guards, it is still important to clean the gutters regularly.
Insulate The Shed
Insulating the shed from the inside may seem counterintuitive if your main goal is to waterproof the shed, but it is an important step in achieving that goal. Insulating the shed helps to regulate the temperature inside, which in turn can help to prevent excess moisture from accumulating. This is because a warmer shed is less likely to have moisture condense on its surfaces.
One effective way to insulate the shed is by using insulating sheets on the interior walls and roof. These sheets are often lined with a material such as aluminum, which helps to retain heat inside the shed.
However, it is important to make sure that the shed has good ventilation to allow air to flow in and out freely. This helps to keep the humidity level low, which can further help to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the shed.
Conclusion
Waterproofing a shed is essential to protect the tools and equipment stored inside and to extend the life of the shed itself. Without proper waterproofing, excess moisture can lead to rust on metal tools and damage to electrical components, as well as causing the wood to rot and metal to rust.
These issues can result in costly repairs or replacements, making it important to invest in waterproofing measures to minimize moisture and protect your shed and its contents. There are various methods of waterproofing a shed, including applying a rust-inhibiting paint or sealant, using insulating sheets, and ensuring proper ventilation.
By taking the time to waterproof your shed, you can save money in the long run and keep your valuable tools and equipment in good condition.
