Maintaining Garden Buildings

All outdoor buildings require maintenance for best performance and longevity. How much time you will need to spend maintaining your structure will usually depend on the materials used by the manufacturer. If the material is untreated, we would recommend the use of a preservative stain like Liberon, or using micro-porous paints and stains that allow the timber to breathe and accept or repel moisture at a slower rate, therefore reducing cracking, twisting or swelling as the seasons change.   Any material that is pressure treated with  Wolmanit® CX  or similar, does not require maintenance with a preservative but can be stained or painted to change the colour. It is worth noting that although the pressure treatment prevents rot and insect attack it is not intended to perform as a waterproofing agent and the water repellent coating product should be applied to any garden building for additional protection.

Water repellent coating products are available from the Fountain Store.   

Some of the key aspects to be aware of include:

Damp prevention

Between 3-6 months after delivery, apply a coat of water repellent preservative to the outside of the building. If you have a spell of wet weather before you have treated the outside of the building you may end up with damp patches on the inside. Should this happen, wait for it to dry out and then apply water repellent preservative; the damp will not then recur. 

Roofing felt ripples

This will not cause a problem in protecting your shed from the elements. It is caused by temperature changes. Ideally, felt would be laid on a warm day after being left unrolled in the garden for about 2 days.

Movement of floor

If the ground on which the building has been built is uneven, movement of the floor will occur. If the building has been built on bearers it is possible that the bearers have sunk slightly as the ground was not firm enough to take their weight. Some packing pieces under the ends of the bearers may help rectify this.

Damp by window

This is normally caused by condensation on the window collecting on the window sill. You should periodically dry the window ledge and surrounding areas. It is advisable when treating your buildings to pay special attention to this level.

Damp on inside

Damp on the inside wall of the shed is caused by the lack of a suitable water repellent on the outside of the building. Water repellent must be applied to the outside of the shed to provide a barrier to damp penetrating through.

Damp at ground level

Water will soak into the building by capillary action if the ground on which the building is sitting is in water. We would recommend the area is raised or drained to avoid the building sitting in water if this cannot be achieved apply some a water repellent liberally over all the areas in question once the building is dry to prevent damp.

The information and advice in this article is provided in good faith and is designed to give general information and guidance. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. If in doubt we strongly recommend you seek professional assistance.

If you need further advice with your purchase please ask our experienced staff, we will be happy to help!