Moss, mold, and relentless rain are part of life around Ballard and West Seattle. If you have a backyard structure, you already know our damp climate requires constant attention. Seattle Shed Builders tells homeowners how to keep their storage buildings from turning into a soggy mess throughout the year.
Spring: Assessing the Winter Damage
Once the gray clears up a bit, take a walk around your yard in Seattle, WA. Look closely at the north-facing walls of your outbuilding because that is where green slime loves to set up camp during our endless drizzle. Grab a stiff brush and some mild cleaner before that moisture gets trapped against the siding. Check your roof seals too, especially if you have an older cedar shingle or composite roof that took a beating from windstorms.
Summer: The Golden Window for Upgrades
July and August give us the only reliable dry stretch to tackle bigger projects. If you need to paint, stain, or add extra ventilation, now is the time. Wood expands and contracts with our humidity swings. Caulking gaps during the dry season stops water from freezing inside those cracks when winter rolls back around. Seattle Shed Builders recommends getting major exterior work done before September runs out.
Fall: Clearing the Gutters and Vents
Leaves drop fast in neighborhoods like Queen Anne and Magnolia. Clogged gutters will overflow right onto your siding and splash mud against the baseplate, which rots out wood faster than anything else. Clear those channels out and make sure your gable vents are not blocked by overgrown ivy or bushes. Airflow is everything if you want to keep your gear dry inside.
Taking a couple of weekends a year to look after your structure saves thousands in repairs down the road. Keep water moving away from the foundation, and your backyard investment will easily outlast the Seattle weather.