7 Signs You Need a New Shed

Is it time to replace your shed? Knowing when your shed is no longer fit for use is important for protecting your belongings. Below are some signs that it’s probably time to get a new shed—if you need a new one, you’ll want to get a replacement one before items like your lawn mower and gardening gear go to waste.

My husband and I bought our shed several years ago, not long after we purchased our home. Luckily, except for a now-rotting ramp that should be fixed or replaced, it seems to be in good shape.(The photo above shows the ramp when it was in good shape.) But if you’re not sure what kind of condition your shed is in, follow these tips to figure out whether it’s time to get a new one.

You’ve Run Out of Space

If your shed is overflowing with stuff, it might be time to build an additional shed or replace your existing one with a bigger one. Continuously cramming things into yours could cause damage to items and make it hard to access certain tools. Ideally, you should be able to walk into your shed and reach what you need without having to pull out lots of items.

But even if it is full, there might be other actions you can take—for instance, my shed is crammed with our gardening and landscaping supplies, but if my husband and I were to install some shelving, we could probably get a lot of it up off the floor. Every spring I say I will add some shelves; hopefully I get to it this year! There are lot of other organizing tactics you could try, too, including installing a pegboard or DIY rack for your tools, or use storage bins.

It’s Leaning to One Side

A shed that seems to be leaning over is not a good thing and is usually a sign of foundation issues or faulty framing; it could be sinking into the ground or part of the frame may be broken. In either case, there’s a big risk that your shed could fall down, and you’ll likely need to build a new one. If you do need to rebuild your shed, make sure to choose a stable shed base and use high-quality materials that won’t easily give way. 

The Roof Has Collapsed

Your shed’s roof protects the contents of your shed from wind, rain, sun, and other elements. If it has started to sag or cave in, it’s definitely time to get a new shed—or at the very least, a new roof. If your shed’s roof has fallen in, try to determine why it has collapsed so you can avoid it happening again. Wondering what can make a shed’s roof collapse? Common reasons include falling tree branches, rotten beams or letting heavy snow sit on its roof after a heavy snowfall.

There’s Severe Pest Damage

If termites, carpenter ants, or other pests have been chewing away at your shed, it’s likely time to get a new one. Holes and fissures caused by pests can lead to leaks and more pesky critters. You can protect your shed from pests by using the right materials in its construction—such as pressure-treated wood or metal. Check out this guide for other tips to pest-proof your shed. 

The Walls are Rotting/Rusty

Once timber starts to rot or warp, there isn’t much you can do to repair it. Building a new shed could be necessary before your current shed collapses. Metal sheds that have become rusty and corroded should similarly be replaced. To prevent moisture damage to your shed, make sure you are treating or sealing it regularly. You may also want to protect your shed’s floors so it won’t rust or rot. Some good ways to protect shed flooring include painting it if it is plywood, covering it with inexpensive vinyl flooring, or simply covering it with an outdoor rug to help protect your its floor from moisture as you bring in your lawn mower or other tools and supplies.

Rainwater Is Getting In

Discovered leaks in your shed? These leaks could damage many of your tools if ignored—especially electronic tools. You’ll want to get to fixing a hole where the rain gets in, as Paul McCartney would say! While you may be able to patch up cracks and gaps with caulk, it may be easier to replace your shed if there are many leaks (this is usually a sign that there will be more in the future). You’ll want to make sure that your new shed is sturdy and watertight. 

It’s Not Secure

Burglars often target sheds because they can contain valuable tools. Putting a lock on your shed door is a great way to keep burglars away. However, if your shed is falling apart, a padlock or other lock might be useless against a burglar, as they may be able to break into a simply kick open the door if the door or its hardware are flimsy. Consider building a new shed made from thick, strong timber or metal to ward off burglars.

Your shed can be where you make many of your home gardening or landscaping dreams come true! So be sure to maintain it well and keep it protected so you can enjoy it for years to come.