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Wet shed

andymarraandymarra Posts: 5
in Tools and techniques

Hi all, 

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out with some issues I'm having with a new shed I built. 

It's only been up for approx 2 months, but the inside is already feeling slightly wet and the roof is even wetter. 

I didn't install a base to build the shed on as it was going on concrete slabs on our patio, so assumed that this would be sufficient. Could this be where water is getting in? I've noticed mould appearing recently as well which is another issue.

Is there anything that I can do to mouldproof the shed without having to install a base? 

The roof felt I used was standard that came with the shed, would it be better to replace it with better quality? 

Many thanks for any help or advice you can give, I don't want a new shed wasted so soon!

Andy

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    My shed is on slabs, but raised slightly on wooden battens to allow an air flow underneath. My shed roof is now leaking, but it is 20 year old, and the squirrels have ripped the felt off. I am going to cover the roof with a piece of butyl.

     Standard cuprinol shed paint should be used once a year for the first couple of years to fully impregnate the wood, unless it is cedar.

  • andymarraandymarra Posts: 5

    Thanks for the replies. 

    Ideally I'd prefer to get around this without having to put a base down, so was hoping for some sort of alternative solution if there was one. 

    I've painted the shed with cuprinol already, but it has been extremely wet and cold recently. 

    I'll replace the felt on the roof, but is there anything else I could do to weatherproof it? 

    Sorry, I'm a novice when if comes to sheds!

    Thanks again for the help.

    Andy

  • andymarraandymarra Posts: 5

    There is about half an inch gap... I assume this isn't sufficient? 

    Is it easiest to just buy some timber and make my own base? I don't want to pay a lot for the base, as at the time of purchase the base was working put more expensive than the shed itself!

    Thanks ,

    Andy

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090

    If you have the skills go ahead and make a base.  It will make your shed last longer before you need a new one so should be a good investment.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145

    Sounds to me like condensation. I would consider adding some vents to allow the air to flow.

  • andymarraandymarra Posts: 5

    Hi, 

    Thanks again for the advice.

    Would buying a bunch of these work? 

    It says they're used for raising the shed off the ground.

    image

  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145

    Being plastic they would help stop the rising damp but I don't know how much support you would get across the floor area. I'd be concerned of the shed deforming. Most people use battens which spread the weight across the whole width. One every metre or so. If you go with this you might want to staple some DPM on the edge of the batten where it meets the shed floor. This would help stop the rising damp too.

  • andymarraandymarra Posts: 5

    Hi Dave,

    Thanks for the suggestion. I agree that there could be an issue with deformity. I'm either going to buy some batons for the base or potentially buy a full plastic shed base as they seem easy to use as well. 

    Andy

  • vjwukvjwuk Posts: 30

    If you look on line or pick up a shed catalogue from local DIY shop you will see how their bases are made and the frames they put them on so that the weight is spread evenly across all angles. Ours has a floor but is stood on a battened base. It was oblong, corners braced and 3 widthways braces, one in the middle and one either side of that

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