Shed Repairs

Garden sheds are usually made of softwood such as pine, so can deteriorate in the elements if they are not looked after properly.

Check your shed for damaged boards. If you find one, set about replacing it as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration.

Start by using a chisel to split the wood further, exposing the nail heads. Remove the nails with a claw hammer if you can, or cut through them with a hacksaw if they are too rusty to pull out.

That done, prise off the damaged board, taking care not to split any of the adjacent ones. It is generally easier to replace an entire length of board than to splice in shorter sections, not least because vertical joints are hard to make weatherproof.

Measure a new piece of board to fit and cut to the required length with a fine toothed saw. Make sure the board is supported properly when you cut it, and clean up the cut end with sandpaper.

Drill pilot holes for the nails at the ends of the board to prevent it from splitting. Slide the board into place and fix to the framework of the shed with galvanised nails, which should not rust.

Do not forget to treat the board to protect it against the elements. You can do this by applying a couple of coats of an exterior wood stain or treatment which protects timber against rot and decay.