How to stop your bikes rusting in your shed

Something that often puts people off keeping their bikes in a shed is the fear that they may be damaged by rust. It’s a valid concern, because unlike your centrally-heated home, a shed is more likely to be affected by changes in temperature and a build up of damp. But there are several things you can do to mitigate the amount of damp build-up in a shed, and protect your bike from rust.

Choose a shed which allows greater air flow

The regular circulation of air is the number one way to stop damp build-up in a shed, and to stop your bikes rusting while they are stored away. All of our bike sheds are designed to allow a degree of air flow, but if your shed is going to be placed in a particularly damp corner of your garden we recommend choosing slatted pine or cedar cladding. The 6mm gaps between each slat allow constant air flow across the entire width of your shed, whilst preventing rain water from entering. This feature is also useful if you are likely to be putting your bikes away wet on a regular basis

Keep the space around your shed clear of debris

Another effective way to prevent damp building up in your shed is to ensure that no soil, leaves, ivy or other debris is allowed to build up around your shed. Anything that makes contact with the base or walls of your shed has the potential to transfer moisture inside. Use a a broom or rake to keep the space around your shed clear of debris, paying particular attention to the back wall which will often trap debris behind.

Check the roof for leaks

The most obvious way for moisture to enter your shed is through the roof. Roofing felt can be damaged by high winds, and by the sun over time, so check your felt roof regularly to make sure it’s sound. A quick look at the inside of your shed roof should make it easy to see if any water is getting in. All felt roofs installed by our team are covered under our five year guarantee. So we’ll come out and repair it for free if there’s a leak caused by the weather.

Construct your concrete base to prevent damp in your shed

A concrete base that is raised above ground level will go a long way to stop damp build-up in your shed. This is because it’s much less likely that soil and leaf litter will be blown against the walls of your shed or washed there by the rain. You can also install a waterproof membrane underneath your concrete base to prevent moisture leaching through from the ground below. We recommend building your concrete base about 100mm above the ground and no bigger than the footprint of the shed.