Simple Tips For Preventing Mold In Your Shed
January 30, 2023
Reading Time: 3 Minutes
Many home or property owners choose to add a shed to their premises. Sheds are a great way to free up extra space, and they often even add some appeal to your property. There can be challenges, however, when a shed lacks proper design, installation, or maintenance. One of those pesky issues is mold and mildew. Maybe you are wondering how to prevent mold in a storage shed?
If you are using your shed to store items or as a hobby space, the last thing you want to find is an infestation of mold. Here are a few tips you can consider to help prevent this from damaging the structure of your shed or the items inside.
Make Sure Your Shed Has Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is one of the best and most important ways to prevent mold from growing in your shed. Having a shed that is manufactured and installed by reputable professionals is helpful when it comes to guaranteeing these crucial details.
With the correct ventilation, air can move through without allowing moisture to get in, and your risk of developing a mold problem will decrease. Having polyethylene plastic or foil installed on the walls or beneath the floor to act as vapor barriers will also greatly help decrease mold or mildew growth.
Control moisture levels in your shed
The ideal humidity level for storage areas is within the 30 to 50 percent range. Here are a few things you can do to control it:
- Run a dehumidifier in your shed. This action will help control levels and prevent mold growth.
- Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity levels.
- Run a fan inside your shed, as it will help keep air circulating and keep moisture levels down.
- Use desiccants, a substance used to induce or maintain dryness, to keep moisture levels at bay.
Weatherproof Your Shed
Weatherproofing your shed is a great way to help eliminate any potential moisture risks which could lead to mold and mildew growth. A few proactive steps you can take when you are figuring out how to prevent mold in your storage shed are:
- Select the right location for your shed. When installing a new shed, you want to ensure you pick the ideal spot. This area should not be consistently wet or have pooling water. This area should also have a decent amount of exposure to sunlight.
- Choose the proper foundation. There are quite a few options to choose from to create a foundation for your shed, so picking one that is right for your location and ground is a helpful way to prevent potential moisture issues.
- Keep water away from the foundation of your shed. Gutters are excellent for weatherproofing your shed. They will ultimately help keep water off your shed walls and flowing away from your foundation altogether.
Store Your Items Off The Floor
Keeping your items off your shed floor is an easy tip for how to prevent mold in a storage shed, especially if the items have been put away damp. Storing things off the floor can help leave room for air to circulate, which helps reduce moisture levels. Here are a few ways you can keep items off the floor:
- Store items on top of raised surfaces, such as pallets.
- Use hooks to hang things like light landscaping equipment or tools
- Add shelving to your shed to help keep the floor less cluttered and help organize your items.
Conduct Regular Maintenance On Your Shed
Performing regular maintenance on your shed will help prevent mold and mildew. For example, consider painting your shed with good-quality exterior paint, preferably mold and mildew-resistant paint.
Some Other Easy Maintenance Steps To Help Prevent Mold And Mildew Growth
- Trimming trees or shrubs near your shed. Trimming the overhanging branches or tall shrubs can ensure enough sunlight hits your shed to prevent moisture.
- Regularly check your shed for any potential leaks. Be sure to include the areas around the doors, windows, thresholds, and the base of your shed in your inspection.
In conclusion, a shed is a great addition to any property or business for many reasons. It's important to remember that mold and mildew can be a problem with any storage shed if it isn't correctly designed, installed, or maintained. Learning how to prevent mold in a storage shed can help you prevent many headaches for your new structure.
If you are thinking of adding a shed to your property, please contact us today to discuss your design options. Our experienced staff has been serving the Des Moines area for over 10 years, and we would love to help you create your perfect shed!