Inspect a timber shed each spring and before winter. Treat dip-treated timber to its guarantee schedule; do not automatically give pressure-treated timber the same annual preservative routine. Repair damaged felt and keep timber clear of standing water promptly. Small jobs are cheaper before the rain gets involved.
Start with the paperwork
Record the exact product code, factory treatment, installation date and guarantee conditions. Forest, for example, requires annual preservative retreatment for its dip-treated products and suitable treatment of cut pressure-treated timber. Do not transfer those conditions to an unrelated product. Check the guarantee example.
Make a care record you can use
| Record | What to keep |
|---|---|
| At installation | Base photographs, receipts, instructions and work on cut surfaces |
| At each inspection | Date, roof and drainage observations, door operation and any water ingress |
| At treatment | Product name, batch if available, preparation, coats and weather conditions |
| Next action | The manufacturer's due date or the specific defect to investigate |
This is a record template, not a substitute for the required maintenance interval. Set reminders from the documents that apply to your shed.
Resolve the cause before recoating
If you find persistent wetting, damaged roof covering or a door that has started binding, record the change and ask the supplier or an appropriate tradesperson to assess it. A coat of finish should not be used to conceal a support or water-entry problem.
For a new finish, check compatibility with the existing treatment and any required drying or preparation period. Forest's care page distinguishes preservative treatment from stains and weatherproofing finishes; they are not interchangeable labels. See the care guidance.
Keep access possible
Do not fill the maintenance gap permanently with storage. If you cannot safely reach a surface or roof edge, include professional work in the plan rather than improvising access.
Your next step
Sources and method
- Forest Garden guarantee conditions · checked 2026-09-19
- Forest Garden product care · checked 2026-09-19