You can prolong the lifespan of your wooden garden buildings with some basic maintenance. Wood is a natural product that is prone to damage and wood rot, a little time and effort could prevent this from occurring and ensure that your shed or playhouse lasts for many years. Here’s our top tips on how to maintain your garden shed or wooden playhouse
Spring cleaning
Empty your shed or playhouse completely and sweep and dust to remove all cobwebs and debris. Clean and check the seals on the windows to avoid leaks and oil any hinges and locks to ensure that they don’t rust. This step is important as it is easier to assess the condition of the wood when the structure is clean and empty. Be on the lookout for any signs of excessive water such as condensation on the windows, damp walls or leaks as these can lead to wood rot.
Wood treatment
A good way to uphold the condition of your wood is to use a wood preservative treatment, such as a wood varnish, every 12 months to protect from rot and insects. Using a wood stain or a varnish will also protect the wood from weather damage – for example, excessive exposure to the sun which can cause the wood to split and fade. When applying your treatment pay close attention to the corners which, if improperly treated, can allow moisture to seep into the structure.
Trim the trees
Ideally, your shed or playhouse should be positioned out of the way of large trees as strong winds can cause branches to break, potentially damaging your structure. Furthermore, during autumn and winter, falling leaves can cause a build-up on the roof of your shed or playhouse that can seep excess moisture into your wood. If leaves do gather on your roof, be sure to remove them as quickly as possible.
Repair the roofing felt
A key component of wooden structures is the felt lining in the roof that provides waterproofing. Roof felt should last about 5 years but it is wise to check regularly for tears in the material. If you do find that the felt material has been compromised you will need to replace the material as quickly as possible to protect your wood from water damage. Rips and tears are most likely to occur during periods of strong winds, so ensure you check on this after any stormy weather.
Spotting wood rot
Inspect the wood for signs of wood rot such as:
- Unusual growths on the wood
- An acrid fungal smell
- Crumbling wood
- Darker patches of wood
- Soft walls
A good test for wood rot is to poke the timber with a screwdriver; if the screwdriver sinks into the wood then you know it is rotting. A fundamental step in treating wood rot is to ensure that all moisture sources are eliminated to prevent further damage occurring. You should also remove and replace the rotten timber in order to ensure that the fungi that cause rot are completely eradicated – this is especially important in playhouses as children have less developed lungs than an adult and are more susceptible to the potential health risks. The rest of the wood should be applied with an anti-fungal treatment to prevent the rot from spreading.
Barnard Fencing’s garden sheds are made from the finest quality material to ensure a resilient finished product. We offer professional and quick delivery and installation across Nottingham. For more information on our garden and wooden sheds or any of our other services, contact us here.
