Action Sheds Australia Offers Perth Residents Tips for Keeping Moisture out of Sheds
Announcement posted by Action Sheds Australia 20 Nov 2013
Distributor and erector of barns, garages and sheds in Perth reveals little-known techniques for keeping sheds dry and safe for storage.
Perth, WA, November 20, 2013 - Even in the hot, dry climate of Perth, sheds are susceptible to excess moisture that can destroy the owner's belongings inside. Luckily, there are many easy ways to protect a shed from excess moisture and keep the contents inside safe and dry. In a recent blog post, Action Sheds Australia revealed 11 easy ways to do just that.
How Moisture Gets In
Moisture gets into sheds in both blatant and subtle ways. Moisture often seeps through walls into a shed, especially if the walls haven't been correctly finished. Water can also seep into any shed that is placed directly on the ground. If any plants touch the walls, water can go from the plants through the walls.
Ways to Keep Moisture Out
The first essential method for keeping moisture out of a shed is to put it on top of a waterproof foundation. This can be made by patio stones, plastic grids or pouring cement. A foundation keeps water from seeping into the walls from the ground.
Installing windows is helpful because it lets light in, can be opened to ventilate and can make it unnecessary to add the expense of electricity in many cases. Vents are essential to keep air circulating; heat vents allow heat to escape and be replaced by cooler air.
All vents and windows should be sealed firmly with weatherstripping and should be fitted perfectly into the shed. Also, it is wise to leave a gap of 5cm and 10cm between the walls and any items in the shed. This allows for better air circulation.
There are many commercial dehumidifying products available, too. They are put in the shed and they absorb moisture, such as Silica gel, which is a popular choice. Others include potassium chloride, alumina and calcium chloride. For those who don't need to pay industrial chemical prices, there are some common and inexpensive solutions, such as charcoal briquettes and kitty litter.
For sheds with electrical wiring, an electric fan is helpful, but the best option for those who are storing items such as important records or electronics is an electric dehumidifier. It will be necessary to empty the drain pan on a regular basis.
ZINCALUME AND COLORBOND
ZINCALUME AND COLORBOND are very strong versions of steel. Unfortunately, steel has an Achilles' heel—rust. That means that it is important to eliminate or at least minimise exposure of either substance to water on a chronic basis. The best way is to make sure gutters and soil near the shed are clean of debris such as leaves and grass cuttings.
It is important not to plant a garden or to compost next to a shed, as water will seep from the soil into the steel. It is also important to never immerse either of these steel products into wet cement.
Max Italiano, owner of Action Sheds Australia, makes sure that his customers are fully aware of the dangers of moisture in a shed: “Even small amounts of moisture can damage the owner's belongings and damage the shed itself. We always tell our customers not to take chances with their belongings or their sheds.”
Action Sheds Australia provides and erects garages, barns, residential, commercial and industrial sheds in Perth and surrounding areas. For more information or to read their informative blog posts in their entirety, please call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/.
How Moisture Gets In
Moisture gets into sheds in both blatant and subtle ways. Moisture often seeps through walls into a shed, especially if the walls haven't been correctly finished. Water can also seep into any shed that is placed directly on the ground. If any plants touch the walls, water can go from the plants through the walls.
Ways to Keep Moisture Out
The first essential method for keeping moisture out of a shed is to put it on top of a waterproof foundation. This can be made by patio stones, plastic grids or pouring cement. A foundation keeps water from seeping into the walls from the ground.
Installing windows is helpful because it lets light in, can be opened to ventilate and can make it unnecessary to add the expense of electricity in many cases. Vents are essential to keep air circulating; heat vents allow heat to escape and be replaced by cooler air.
All vents and windows should be sealed firmly with weatherstripping and should be fitted perfectly into the shed. Also, it is wise to leave a gap of 5cm and 10cm between the walls and any items in the shed. This allows for better air circulation.
There are many commercial dehumidifying products available, too. They are put in the shed and they absorb moisture, such as Silica gel, which is a popular choice. Others include potassium chloride, alumina and calcium chloride. For those who don't need to pay industrial chemical prices, there are some common and inexpensive solutions, such as charcoal briquettes and kitty litter.
For sheds with electrical wiring, an electric fan is helpful, but the best option for those who are storing items such as important records or electronics is an electric dehumidifier. It will be necessary to empty the drain pan on a regular basis.
ZINCALUME AND COLORBOND
ZINCALUME AND COLORBOND are very strong versions of steel. Unfortunately, steel has an Achilles' heel—rust. That means that it is important to eliminate or at least minimise exposure of either substance to water on a chronic basis. The best way is to make sure gutters and soil near the shed are clean of debris such as leaves and grass cuttings.
It is important not to plant a garden or to compost next to a shed, as water will seep from the soil into the steel. It is also important to never immerse either of these steel products into wet cement.
Max Italiano, owner of Action Sheds Australia, makes sure that his customers are fully aware of the dangers of moisture in a shed: “Even small amounts of moisture can damage the owner's belongings and damage the shed itself. We always tell our customers not to take chances with their belongings or their sheds.”
Action Sheds Australia provides and erects garages, barns, residential, commercial and industrial sheds in Perth and surrounding areas. For more information or to read their informative blog posts in their entirety, please call 1300 778 628 or visit their website: http://www.actionsheds.com.au/.