When you step inside your shed after a night of rainy New Zealand weather and find water pooling on the floor, it can be alarming. Your shed is home to many of your family’s miscellaneous belongings, and proper water drainage is essential to keeping it in good condition so it can protect your things. Water accumulation on your shed floor can cause all sorts of problems, like rotting, moulding, and structural damage. However, by knowing how to spot signs of damage and what to put around the bottom of your shed to keep water out, you can prevent water damage, prolong the life of your shed and further secure your stored items.

Understanding water damage risks for your shed

Rainwater has varying impacts on different shed materials. For wooden sheds, the common issues are rot and decay, which pose a risk to the entire shed, not just your belongings. Metal is notorious for rusting when continuously exposed to water, and condensation can easily build up inside these structures, leading to a soggy floor and ruined belongings if not addressed properly. Concrete is an ultra-porous material that can trap moisture inside your shed and dampen your entire storage space over time. 

Signs of water damage to look out for:

• Wood: Softening wood near the base of your shed, fuzzy growths and dark spots on wood

• Metal: Orange and brown patches on surfaces, water droplets

• Concrete: Structure cracks and white chalky residue 

Regardless of the type of garden shed you have, you don’t want ground moisture creeping in and making a home out of your shed. Moisture accumulation can have frustrating (and expensive) long-term ramifications. Prolonged water exposure to your shed can lead to structural decay, interior damage, pest infestations, and costly maintenance or repairs.

Water management solutions

We’ve come up with some great measures you can take to prevent water ingress and help maintain your shed’s durability. 

Grading and foundation preparation techniques

Position your shed in a way that allows water to flow away from it. Ideally, grading should be done before installing your shed. But if your shed is already installed, it’s still possible to grade the ground around it to improve drainage. Assess the surrounding area to identify uneven spots where water might pool near the foundation. The ground should slope away from the shed at a rate of about 1/4 inch per foot (or 1/2 inch per foot for better drainage). To create this slope, remove soil from higher areas and add fill dirt to low spots, ensuring a smooth and even surface. Once the slope is created, compact the soil and check that water flows freely away from the shed, not toward it.

Gravel and drainage stone options 

Gravel can do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping water out of your shed. By placing a thick layer of gravel around your shed’s perimeter, you’ll divert water away from points where it could seep in. If possible, lift your shed and place an even base of gravel underneath it, too, for extra protection. This will also provide added stability, which could be particularly beneficial if you’ve noticed that it has become slightly unstable from water damage.

French drain systems to divert water away from the foundation

Create a “French drain” system underneath your shed’s foundation. This is easier if your shed is raised, but it can still be achieved by lifting it slightly with a hydraulic jack or a few strong helping hands. 

1. Plan the drain’s path, ensuring that water will be directed away from your shed’s foundation and into an area that won’t cause more problems. 

2. Then, dig a sloped trench underneath the shed.

3. Add landscape fabric, gravel and perforated pipe.

Gutter and downspout strategies to direct water away

Alternatively, consider installing a gutter system on your shed’s roof. Attach gutters along the edges of your shed roof to catch rainwater and prevent it from flooding at your shed’s base. The collected water should then flow through the downspout and away from the shed. If your downspout isn’t long enough to effectively reroute water far from the shed, add extensions to lengthen its reach. 

Water barriers, sealants, and waterproofing applications

You can also apply materials like plastic sheeting, rubber membranes, and bituminous coatings to areas prone to water entry, such as your shed’s walls, ground, or foundation. These materials, when installed correctly, help to protect your shed by keeping it dry. Using silicone sealants will help you address the problem head-on and cost-effectively, sealing any noticeable cracks and gaps where joints have become loose due to rainy weather. Waterproof treatments like paint, coatings or membranes can be applied to the shed’s structure to prevent water from being absorbed into the shed’s materials and causing gradual complications.

Keter resin shed advantages

At Keter, we understand the importance of a shed having strong structural integrity. That’s why all our resin sheds are constructed from waterproof materials that offer unparalleled durability and protection from heavy rain and other problematic conditions. Designed with longevity in mind, our weather-resistant range of sheds won’t erode, rot or flake, so you can feel confident that their aesthetic appeal will remain intact for years to come, as well as their functionality. Featuring heavy-duty floor panels, Keter’s sheds are made to support your belongings while keeping water out.

Preserving your resin shed’s durability and longevity

Our resin sheds are a top contender for low-maintenance, durable and dry sheds, but there are still a few steps you can take to maintain their prime condition:

• Secure the shed on a proper foundation, e.g. a concrete slab

• Proper ventilation to prevent mildew on belongings

• Regular exterior and interior cleaning to prevent debris buildup

• Seal any gaps, e.g. silicone sealants

Secure your shed against water damage

Proper water management is essential to keeping your shed strong and healthy so you can continue enjoying its protection for many years to come. There are ample solutions you can explore to keep your shed free of moisture and subsequent water damage, from sealants to perimeter barriers and different drainage systems. However, you may find that the most effective strategy for keeping your shed dry is to buy a water-resistant resin shed. These durable options are crafted to maintain their solid structure in the face of wet conditions and protect your items with ease. 

Ready to keep water away from your shed foundation for good? Find the perfect Keter resin shed for your yard.