Garden Shed Maintenance: What You Need To Know

A properly maintained garden shed will last a life time but the better the quality to start with will always stand you in good stead and always make sure it has been erected correctly to avoid any problems at a later date. Check out our range of wooden garden sheds here
If you think about the time and effort that you need to put in for garden shed care, it will appear as a great deal of work. But if you come to think of it, all you need to do when it comes to garden shed maintenance is to clean it out and fix or treat any damages noticed. By doing these basic routine work on your every year or at least twice a year, then you will be able to enjoy your outdoor building for a longer period of time. Here are some simple tips that you can do when maintaining your garden building.

garden shed maintenance
The first thing that you have to do is to remove everything inside the shed. As time passes by, the interior of your shed will become dirty and cluttered. This is true especially for those who do not have the time to clean out their shed. Make sure that you slowly take out everything, small and big from your shed. It will help you locate areas that require further repair. The next thing that you have to do is to start cleaning. It includes removing any cobwebs, wiping the shelves and removing any dirt that you can see. You should also wipe the windows and clean the floors. You also have to put some oil on locks and pivots.
It will help you locate areas that require further repair. The next thing that you have to do is to start cleaning. It includes removing any cobwebs, wiping the shelves and removing any dirt that you can see. You should also wipe the windows and clean the floors. You also have to put some oil on locks and pivots.
After the general cleaning, the next garden shed maintenance tip is to apply treatments. Treating garden sheds is important especially if you have a wooden garden shed. Varnishing it is going to be a great help. An alternative to varnish are wood additives. They are great solutions for wood treatment. These treatments will protect your garden building from infestation and decay.
You also have to make sure that you pay attention to the roof of your outdoor building. If it is located near a tree with overhanging branches, you need to clean out the leaves on the roof. You also have to check the gutter and make sure that it is not obstructed. YOU should also check for holes that may cause leaks. Your roof protects your shed and everything inside it. It will no longer be a good place for storage or relaxation if
Your roof protects your shed and everything inside it. It will no longer be a good place for storage or relaxation if rain water is leaking from the roof. Your equipment will not only be damaged but it will also trigger the start of the deterioration of the shed itself.
garden shed care
After thoroughly cleaning your shed, the next thing that you need to do is to arrange your stuff before you put it back inside the shed. Sort it out and remove all the things that need to be thrown out. For example, fertilizers or seeds can be placed in containers, rakes and shovels can hang on the wall and big gardening equipment should be placed near the door for easy access.
These are all basic tip that any homeowner can do. You do not have to perform this every day. If you have a spare time over the weekend, then you can clean your shed. If you want to make it more fun, you can ask your family members to keep you company. You do the maintenance while they do the gardening.
These are all basic tip that any homeowner can do. You do not have to perform this every day. If you have a spare time over the weekend, then you can clean your shed. If you want to make it more fun, you can ask your family members to keep you company. You do the maintenance while they do the gardening. Source: https://houzgardensheds.wordpress.com/garden-shed-maintenance-what-you-need-to-know/
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Original Post: Garden Shed Maintenance: What You Need To Know

Men's Sheds: Easing isolation and loneliness in Wales

For generations, a shed has been known as a man's haven - a place where he can escape to mend, fix and tinker with things.

Now, it is at the heart of an organisation in Wales hoping to prevent isolation and loneliness among men.

Tucked away from the main road in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, is a small, plain concrete building.

While it might look insignificant to anyone passing by, for the 12 members of The Den it is a welcome space.

Inside, I find five of them chatting away over a cup of tea and coffee - planks of wood, gardening gloves, tools and benches fill the room.

They meet in this shed - technically a garage temporarily lent to them by the local church - every Thursday afternoon.

Mike Wright, 68, from Thornhill, started The Den with co-founder Gareth Powell along with support from Men's Sheds Cymru.

"We were looking for something that would help address the problem of isolation in the community amongst men," Mr Wright explained.

"What we found was that women don't seem to have such a problem getting to know each other and communicating, but men tend to have more difficulty.

"We looked for something that would help that, and we turned to this model.

"The main idea is for men who have perhaps just retired, are bereaved, that sort of thing, we are hoping to attract those."

Mr Powell - the self-appointed "youngster" of the group at the age of 49 - said it was about "coming together, having a laugh and achieving things".

The Den is one of three Men's Sheds in Cardiff and one of 20 in Wales.
Image copyright The Den
Image caption The group get stuck in building a gambo

While some of the men were handy at wood work, having fixed and replaced a leaky roof, others were outside in the neighbouring community garden digging up an old tree root.

They have been tending to the garden, refurbishing furniture and are set to restore the pews at the church.

The Den has also acquired a plot at Birchgrove Allotment where they meet every Tuesday.

But their proudest achievement to date has been building their own gambo - a wooden racing cart - which recently won them "highly commended" at the Men's Shed EiSHEDfod at the National Museum Cardiff.

Mr Wright said the gambo helped them to "remember their youth".
Image copyright Thinkstock
What are Men's Sheds?

    They are social groups or enterprises set up in communities for the benefit of men
    The idea originated in Australia 11 years ago and was developed by the health board to tackle growing concerns of social isolation among the country's male population
    It soon spread - there are now more than 200 in Ireland and others in New Zealand, Canada, Denmark and the UK
    The activities that take place in the sheds - from wood work and gardening to model making and art - depend on the interests and skills of the group

Alan Fleet, 73, from Radyr, said The Den has helped him to get out of the house and meet other people while John Gravelle, 66, said it had been "a wonderful way" to get involved in the community.

Mr Gravelle, who moved back to Cardiff a year ago, added: "You can sit down, do a bit of work, of painting and then have a long cup of tea and discuss the world. It's been a very good way of getting back into Wales after being away for such a long time."

The Den is currently looking for new permanent accommodation in north Cardiff and the group are also seeking new members to join them.

Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, said she has seen "first-hand the fantastic work they do to help older men".

"Men's Sheds are hugely important, particularly as there have traditionally been few activity or support groups aimed specifically at older men," she said.

"I hope that the Men's Sheds movement continues to grow and reach out to communities across Wales so that even more older men can get involved and enjoy the benefits that being a member can bring."

This article was first seen on the BBC website on 25th Dec