Keeping Storage Sheds Protected During Winter

Maintenance of any storage shed is important throughout the year, and particularly during the harsh winter. This is because the winter often brings the largest risks to a shed, from moisture infiltration to sub-zero temperatures, and keeping your structure in great shape is vital.

At A-Shed USA, we’re happy to not only offer a robust range of storage sheds, from our ranch and barn sheds to many others, but also expertise on how to care for these at any point in the season, including winter. Here are some basics on how to maintain your storage shed throughout the winter, starting with some prep and moving to mid-winter areas.

Pre-Winter Areas

In a normal year, we’d tell you you’re probably a bit late if you haven’t already gotten to preparing your storage shed for winter. By the mid-January period we’re in, you’d normally have dealt with several major snowstorms and perhaps some significant snow on the ground in a place like Utah – but this particular winter, shed owners who neglected this duty have gotten lucky, as it’s one of the driest winters in recent memory.

That said, during a normal year, you should be taking the late-fall period to prep the shed. A few themes to keep in mind here (you can attend to these now if you haven’t already):

• Fully clean the storage shed, including removing any dust or mold concerns. Also be sure to clean tools that were used during summer, plus bag up any fertilizer or other items that cannot be uncovered.
• Make any needed repairs to ceilings, walls, windows, floors and seal areas to ensure moisture doesn’t seep in.
• Trim any overhanging branches that may contact the structure, plus rake leaves.
• If the shed is a live-in space or you plan to spend any significant time in it during winter, consider insulation and items like space heaters.

Mid-Winter Shed Maintenance

And here are a couple basic precautions for keeping the shed safe and protected during the winter itself, even during a more significant winter than the one we’re experiencing in Utah:

• Dry: Whenever possible, look to keep the shed area dry and free of snow. Many shed owners will waterproof their shed floor, while others will place a tarp over it during winter to stop any moisture from seeping in. If your shed floor is metal, follow steps to prevent rust and corrosion.
• Snow removal: Not only should snow that piles up be removed from around the shed, it’s vital to remove it from atop the shed as well. Too much heavy snow on your shed’s roof will risk collapsing it due to the weight, so be sure to attend to this area anytime there’s a major storm.

For more on how to maintain your shed during the winter, or to learn about any of our storage sheds, garages or other structures, speak to the staff at A-Shed USA today.