DIY Builds
Photo by Ali Azad Pexels Logo Photo: Ali Azad

Why is my shed roof Mouldy inside?

If the outside temperature drops, any moisture inside the shed will cause condensation on the inside of the shed panels, roof, floor and possibly other items stored in the shed. This condensation will cause mould and mildew to form very quickly.

Is fiber mesh better than wire mesh?
Is fiber mesh better than wire mesh?

In addition to providing a more thorough protection for your concrete pour, fiber mesh typically takes less time than wire mesh to use. This is...

Read More »
Do rocks attract spiders?
Do rocks attract spiders?

Rocks. Some homeowners make the mistake of having lots of rocks in their landscaping. These spiders have a preference for rocks and rocky areas....

Read More »

Moisture and Mould Issues In My Garden Shed

Garden sheds can suffer from moisture and damp issues at certain times of the year. Wooden sheds are even more prone to these problems, as timber is a perishable material. Winter and Spring are the main times, when there may a high level of moisture in the air. This is caused by wet weather and damp conditions.

Effects of moisture are…

Premature rot

Mould on interior panels and roof

Warping and sagging of timber

Preventing Damp Issues

There are a few things that you can do to prevent and minimise the damage which can be caused by moisture. A major cause of rot in garden sheds is rising damp, this is caused by ground water being absorbed through the floor bearers and into the floor. To prevent this from happening it is best sorted during the initial planning stages of siting and building the shed. You will need a barrier between the ground and the floor of the shed, to stop the moisture entering. How you do this will depend on what type of base you are using on which to position the shed... Bases made using gravel allow any rain water to flow freely through it and prevent water from pooling. This reduces the chances of water being soaked up by the floor bearers. Timber bases can be used to raise the shed completely off the ground, so that it is almost impossible for water to penetrate the floor bearers. Concrete and paving slab bases need to be a level as possible to allow water to run off and prevent it from pooling. A shed that sits in puddled water will inevitably absorb water. Not only can sheds suffer from ground moisture, but also from moisture in the air. This issue is particularly prevalent in Winter. Moisture, caused by damp, wet conditions can get trapped inside sheds, especially if they are not used often. If the outside temperature drops, any moisture inside the shed will cause condensation on the inside of the shed panels, roof, floor and possibly other items stored in the shed. This condensation will cause mould and mildew to form very quickly. To combat this issue, it is advised to allow the shed to vent as often as possible throughout the winter. This will enable fresh air to circulate around the building and stop moisture from building up. To do this, you can open the windows if you have them or leave the door open from time to time. It is also a good idea to not store wet or damp items in the shed, like garden tools or bikes etc… Try to dry them off before returning them to the shed. If you do get mould forming, it is advisable to remove it as quickly as possible with an anti-mould cleaner, before it penetrates and permanently damage the timber.

Further Advice

Where should toilets not be placed?
Where should toilets not be placed?

According to Vastu Shastra, the Flush Toilet or the Commode should have a place where the user faces any direction but never West or East....

Read More »
How wide is a standard shed door?
How wide is a standard shed door?

The door dimensions are usually based on what the shed will be used for, and should be determined before building. A standard 36” x 80” door is...

Read More »

Can you put a basement under a shed house?

ANSWER: While you won't need a permit for a non-permanent shed, you most definitely will need one for a shed with a basement. For that, you will need to place a foundation with appropriate reinforcing steel placed horizontally as well as vertically in the footing.

Each year, thousands of Arizona residents email or call Rosie Romero’s radio show with questions about everything from preventing fires in their chimneys to getting rid of tree roots invading their sewer systems. His goal is to provide answers that suit the specific lifestyle wherever someone lives in Arizona. Here are questions about home maintenance and improvement from the Southern Arizona area.

QUESTION: I need more storage for my home and I’m thinking of building a shed. The Pima County building codes will allow me to have a 200-square-foot shed without getting a building permit. But I would also like to build a basement/cellar under the shed. Is this something that’s worth doing?

I could dig a hole and then support the walls of the shed with timber. Or should I have the foundation and walls poured or should I pour a footing and then lay down a cinderblock wall? I have plenty of room on my lot — three acres. I don’t want to put a livable area under the shed — just storage. I figure that I could have roughly 600 square feet of storage by following this plan. What do you think?

ANSWER: While you won’t need a permit for a non-permanent shed, you most definitely will need one for a shed with a basement. For that, you will need to place a foundation with appropriate reinforcing steel placed horizontally as well as vertically in the footing. Then you will either lay up the walls with grouted concrete masonry blocks or poured-in-place concrete walls. Then either a dirt wall or a poured slab can be placed with a floor system installed, bearing on the basement walls.

FULL STORY

How can I save the most money when building a house?
How can I save the most money when building a house?

Value Engineering Reducing Square Footage. One way to dramatically reduce costs is to just reduce the square footage of the entire home. ......

Read More »
How do you keep bugs out of your shed?
How do you keep bugs out of your shed?

Tips to Keep Bugs Out of Your Shed Eliminate food sources. ... Keep moisture out. ... Seal entry points. ... Reduce hideouts. ... Keep the...

Read More »
What is the best way to secure a shed?
What is the best way to secure a shed?

10 Shed Security Ideas Implement an Alarm System and/or Sensor Lights. ... Try Using a Shed Security Camera. ... Choose a High Security Shed Lock....

Read More »
How long will stacked firewood last?
How long will stacked firewood last?

The CSIA states that you can keep firewood stored for up to 3 to 4 years without any issues of the wood going bad if you follow these recommended...

Read More »