Shed and Storage Building Fall Maintenance Themes, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the outdoor themes when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your shed during the fall season. As the bridge between the hot summer and the cold, snowy winter, fall is a great time to ensure your shed and other outdoor structures are properly prepared for the upcoming season.

At A-Shed USA, we’re proud to offer expertise and tips on these kinds of areas, whether you own one of our barn sheds, ranch sheds or other high-quality options. For today’s blog, we’ll take a look inside the shed itself, which is just as important as exterior areas when it comes to fall cleaning and maintenance.

Cleaning and Inspection

For starters, spend some time performing a basic cleaning on your shed. Buildings like these can become dirty and dusty quickly, especially over the dry Utah summer. Remove all major tools or equipment and sweep, dust and otherwise clean the area.

While you’re doing this, take the time to visually inspect the area for any damage that may have formed over the summer. Look at any connectors or other areas that may have been chewed by rodents or insects, for instance, as well as droppings or any other signs of invaders. Ensure moisture isn’t able to sneak in through any cracks, and repair minor damage if you find it.

Doors and Windows

Two areas to keep a particularly keen eye on are your doors and windows in the shed, which can allow in air, moisture and pests if they aren’t properly sealed and maintained. Check weather stripping and replace it if needed; the same goes for window caulk. If you have any moving parts, now is a good time to lubricate them to prevent rust concerns and annoying squeaking noises.

Accessories

If your shed or storage building has shelves, benches or even stairs inside it, inspect these areas as well. Do the same for any outlets or other accessories in the shed – the best time to locate and remedy these concerns is while you’re emptying and cleaning out the shed already.

Pest Prevention

We mentioned pests earlier – on top of proper sealing and checking for the signs of their presence, you can help prevent them by keeping any grass or vegetation around the building trimmed. In addition, store any possible food sources, such as seeds or stored pet food, in metal containers with tightly-sealed lids. Some shed owners will even set traps or put out pest poison to keep pests from invading during the winter.

Tools and Organization

Finally, particularly if your shed has become cluttered during the summer, take the time to organize and assess its contents, such as your tools and any equipment stored in the space. If you have any garden hoses being stored, ensure they’re drained first. Also drain any gas or oil from lawn equipment like lawnmowers or trimmers. If you store both winter and summer items in the shed, place the winter items in accessible areas headed into the cold season.

For more on preparing your shed for the fall and winter, or to learn about any of our custom sheds or shed builder services, speak to the staff at A-Shed USA today.