Opening Your Shed up for Spring: Maintenance Tricks You Need to Know

Clean and Declutter

One of the most important things about keeping your shed as functional as possible is keeping it clean and decluttered. As the weather warms up in Spring, it’s a great time to go through anything that may have just gotten thrown into the shed over the fall and winter as well as boxes you seldom use. You’ll want to choose a dry day to take everything out and sort items. This is also a good time to sweep the shed floor and clean the windows. There are so many things you can do to clean, organize and declutter the inside of your shed. This will also help keep pests away.

Inspect and Repair

The number one thing you need to do in the Spring when it comes to your shed is to check it for any wear or damage. Mother Nature can be a force to reckon with, and she’s not super friendly to the outside of structures like storage sheds. Excess moisture, ice and the cold can all leave certain types of sheds with holes, rotting, rusting, etc. So, you’ll want to check the following things at least every few months.

• Window seals
• Door seals
• Skylights or ventilation
• Roof
• Walls (inside and outside)
• The foundation and floor
• Locks
• Door knobs

Watch for any kind of damage during these inspections. Some things are purely cosmetic, but others can be much more serious. Even if a hole or crack doesn’t look like a big issue, it can become one. So, you’ll want to inspect and repair any issues you find right away. This may save you some headaches in the future.

Check for Pests

No one wants spiders, ants, rodents or any other kinds of pests in their sheds. It can make for a huge mess and even ruin items. The best thing to do is preventative care to keep pests out. As mentioned in the sections above, make sure you’re keeping your shed clean and decluttered. By keeping it clean, you’re less likely to get pests. If they do get in, you’ll be able to spot them – and signs of them – much more easily. 

You also want to ensure that your shed has been properly cared for year-round. Watch for entry points around the shed such as any cracking, rotting, separating, holes, unsealed windows, etc. You’ll want to patch up any problem areas immediately. This is the best way to keep pests out of your shed. Also you should not keep food in your shed, utilize containers for other items that are air-tight and make sure the shed stays free of dirt. Check the perimeter of the shed and don’t let items pile up around it. Lastly, you can also spray insecticide around the perimeter of the shed. This is carried at hardware stores, or you can have a pest control company spray around the shed. Make sure you get a spray that won’t harm pets and children, though.

What if I do find pests in my shed? You’ll want to keep an eye out year-round for rodent droppings, dead insects, spider webs, etc. An occasional spider or insect might find their way in here and there. However, if you have an infestation of pests like ants or rodents, you’ll need to work quickly to get rid of them. Many pest control companies can help you with this, or you can do it on your own. Depending on how bad it is, you might need to take everything out of your shed to clean and throw away any items the pests have infested. This will also offer you the opportunity to get rid of rodent droppings and find their entry point. If you do end up having rodents in your shed, be aware that there is a specific way to clean up after them. The CDC has laid out very specific guidelines to protect your health. So, keep this in mind If you end up having rodents.

For the most part, however, as long as you keep your shed maintained, or buy a very durable shed, pests are less likely.

Check and Maintain Tools and Equipment

While shed maintenance is important, Spring is also a great time to check and maintain the items within your shed. So, if you have gardening or power tools, now might be a good time to sharpen them or charge their batteries. If you have items in the house you’ve wanted to put in storage, box and label them. Then you can switch them out for other boxes in the shed that you need for warmer months. If patio cushions need to be cleaned, now would be a great time to do so. It’s also a good idea to go through things like pool items, grilling equipment, etc., and see if anything is worn out. This will give you time to replace items before the weather gets nice and warm. Properly inventorying and replacing items can save you a lot of time in the long run.

Caring for a storage shed might all sound like a lot of work, and to be fair, it can be a lot of work to maintain it properly. That’s why if you don’t own a shed yet or you’re shopping for a new one, you might want to consider whether a wood, metal or resin shed is best for your family. Each type has its pros and cons, but our favorites are Keter resin storage sheds. Keter sheds are made from a durable resin that is weather-resistant and low maintenance. So, it won’t crack, rot, rust or peel like wood and metal can. Resin storage sheds also have a beautiful classic wooden look. So, you can get a durable, low-maintenance storage shed that will look beautiful in your outdoor space while keeping your items safe and sound.