Waterproofing a shed helps protect the items you are storing, and if you have a rural shed, waterproofing can help protect your gardening tools, lawn mowers and other equipment. There are several things that can help with waterproofing. Here are five items you should consider investing in:

1. Tarp

The main source of water coming into a shed is rain. If you want to stop rain coming in from the roof, a heavy duty tarp can work perfectly. Ideally, you want to use a tarp designed for outdoor use like the industrial tarps used to cover loads on road trains.

Alternatively, consider replacing the existing roof on your rural shed with a metal, waterproof roof or thick new layers of waterproof tar and asphalt tiles.

2. Caulk

Once you have the roof covered, it's time to fill little holes. The most effective way to find small holes is to close yourself inside the shed in the middle of the day. Close the door and cover the windows, and then, look for any small bits of light sneaking in. Seal those holes with a bit of caulk.

3. Weather Stripping

Of course, you cannot put caulk around moving parts, and that is why you need weather stripping. To prevent driving rain from getting through the crevices between your door and its frame, add weather stripping around the door. Simply glue it in place along the top and bottom of the door as well as the sides of the door if needed. Cut off any excess stripping.

4. Waterproof Paint

To help make the wood more watertight, consider painting your shed with waterproof paint. Even an old rural wood shed can benefit from a coat of paint. The paint seals the wood. As a result, when raindrops hit the shed, they bead up on the paint. Without the paint, they would penetrate the wood and come into the shed as condensation.

5. Concrete Blocks

It's important to remember that water doesn't just come from above or the sides. It can also sneak into your shed from down below. If your shed sits on the ground, ideally, you want to lift it up and place it on concrete blocks. Blocks located along the corners support the base or your shed. They also protect it from the moist ground and allow air to circulate beneath the shed.

If raising your shed isn't feasible, help move water away from the base of your shed by mounding the earth around the shed. Ideally, you want the earth to slope down and away from the shed so that water runs away from the shed rather than pooling by its base.

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