Greenhouses, Sheds and Sun Rooms - shed with mildew smell
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PattySm
08-22-05, 06:03 AM
This is a new house for me this summer. So don't have much of a history to draw on.
Backyard shed that probably is 20 years old. In decent condition, nothing apparent that is rotten or would make me think it wasn't worth keeping. Except for the smell! No venting, other than the large door and the mildew smell is pretty obvious. The way it is now, I wouldn't store anything but garden tools in it. And I am concerned that over time (if it hasn't already) that the lack of proper venting will ruin the wood, so thinking I should do something.
So what should I do? Can the interior wood be cleaned and if so, with what? Is that even necessary? If a roof vent is put in, will that take care of the problem? As in maybe just a long stretch of airing it out?
Backyard shed that probably is 20 years old. In decent condition, nothing apparent that is rotten or would make me think it wasn't worth keeping. Except for the smell! No venting, other than the large door and the mildew smell is pretty obvious. The way it is now, I wouldn't store anything but garden tools in it. And I am concerned that over time (if it hasn't already) that the lack of proper venting will ruin the wood, so thinking I should do something.
So what should I do? Can the interior wood be cleaned and if so, with what? Is that even necessary? If a roof vent is put in, will that take care of the problem? As in maybe just a long stretch of airing it out?
XSleeper
08-23-05, 04:06 PM
You can power wash the wood... you might spray it with a garden sprayer first, using a box of TSP (powdered detergent sold in hardware stores). The TSP has directions for how to mix it with bleach and water for the best results. If the wood has dark mildew on it, its likely that the smell will remain unless you power wash it all off.
If the shed has a cement floor, it's likely that it gets humid in there, and ventilation will help, but may not solve the problem entirely. You have your choice of vents:
gable end vents- install one in each gable end wall near the peak
ridge vents- remove the ridge shingles and install the ridge vent, then reinstall new ridge shingles.
can vents- install 2 per side near the ridge.
turbine vent- install one near the ridge- when the wind blows it will draw air out.
If the shed has a cement floor, it's likely that it gets humid in there, and ventilation will help, but may not solve the problem entirely. You have your choice of vents:
gable end vents- install one in each gable end wall near the peak
ridge vents- remove the ridge shingles and install the ridge vent, then reinstall new ridge shingles.
can vents- install 2 per side near the ridge.
turbine vent- install one near the ridge- when the wind blows it will draw air out.
scan
09-02-05, 09:52 AM
Oft times what you smell may be mold. If the shed is built up of the ground-on pilings or a wooden set of skids, you may have mold/moisture damage under the floor.
If thats the case, be sure air can get beneath all side of the shed, then set a half dozen or so flat ( like disposeable aluminum pie plates) with chlorine bleach poured in each as far under the shed as possible and leave them for a few weeks.
If you can't get under the shed, buy a pound can of the cheapest ground coffe you can, and spread it on the floor of the closed shed for a week or so. You'll be amazed how it absorbs and replaces bad smells
If thats the case, be sure air can get beneath all side of the shed, then set a half dozen or so flat ( like disposeable aluminum pie plates) with chlorine bleach poured in each as far under the shed as possible and leave them for a few weeks.
If you can't get under the shed, buy a pound can of the cheapest ground coffe you can, and spread it on the floor of the closed shed for a week or so. You'll be amazed how it absorbs and replaces bad smells