Asked on Oct 02, 2018

How do I repair the rotting siding on my shed without replacing it?

Int13511261
by Int13511261

The lower edge of the siding on my shed is rotting due to splash back from rain. The shed is otherwise in great condition, but not worth a big investment in residing. Is there a way to add trim or something just make it look better for a couple more years? I plan to put wood chips around the base to soak up further splash back.

Shed


  14 answers
  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Oct 02, 2018

    Hello Int,


    I dont believe there is any way to repair this. It needs to be removed, the roted areas cut out ( bottom strip) , if not replacing the entire panels.


    We replaced our shed lower edge rot with new T 11 panels, they are made for exterior use. It was actually a more rustic and attractive alternative in our circumstances.


    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plytanium-Plywood-Siding-Panel-T1-11-8-IN-OC-Nominal-19-32-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-563-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-113699/100000016

  • Mulch will hold onto moisture and ultimately make your situation much worse. You can cover over the area with another material or trim away the rotted areas and replace but either will only be a temporary bandage. Ultimately you'll have to re-side.

  • Oliva Oliva on Oct 02, 2018

    Before residing, dig out an area 2' wider and longer than the shed (front rear, and both sides). Put down 2 B gravel, rather than mulch, which attracts insects, absorbs moisture, and contributes to artillery fungus on your shed. Many people put sheds atop a cooncrete pad or treated timbers, for the reason you mention.

  • Shedog Shedog on Oct 03, 2018

    run a piece of roofing tin horizontally the length of the shed. I use it down low on the chicken house to prevent the birds from pecking at the wood.

  • Lagree Wyndham Lagree Wyndham on Oct 03, 2018

    Cut the siding off just above the rot and replace with plywood strips, it want look pretty but it will be a fix. Also I would treat with a wood preservative and paint.

  • Candy Candy on Oct 03, 2018

    Last summer I had the same problem. I had to replace the wood. I made it where the wood no longer touches the ground. That was part of the problem, the water from watering the grass. Not fun!


  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Oct 03, 2018

    Lots of great answers above, but the best one is to sheer off the siding above the rot line and replace the lower section with something that doesn't rot! You can use plenty of materials for that: pressured treated wood, cedar, corrugated metal or plastic, a length of concrete siding and probably more. Remember that once you've attached the replacing cover, use an exterior caulk to seal it at the seam. And I think that adding mulch will make the problem recur. Better to attach a gutter to the shed and/or repaint and seal the entire wall with something waterproof. Cheers!

    • Kristi Kristi on Oct 05, 2018

      That is what my son and I did last summer 2017. I picked up dog ear pressure treated singles with a cedar enhancement and since most of our rot was the width of one, we cut out the rot, replaced with those boards, then layered another over, going around the whole shed and adding one to each side of the door, because it is so beautiful. Painted a Behr Chipotle on the shed and reroofed to match the house roof. Love our restored shed. It still is waiting for a new plywood floor (next year). Something like patio bricks around the base and CEDAR mulch (not chips cause they blow) protects from mud splashing. Can't do anything about snow though. Always cut out the rot, as carpenter ants, wasps, hornets, mice, etc. LOVE ROT, and rot spreads and molds. Same with landscape timbers and old decks; don't just cover up. AS EVERYTHING same goes for people and other living things too.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Oct 03, 2018

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  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Oct 03, 2018

    You could cut out just to where the wood is good. Then put down a row of cap blocks and add pressure treated wood trim.

  • Debby Debby on Oct 03, 2018

    Tap a Chalk line across the bottom (to make sure you have a straight line) just above the rotted wood and remove it with a circular saw. Example, if it is a 6 inch high piece that you've removed, then replace that with approx an 8 inch high treated wood piece along the bottom and nail in place... keeping the new wood from touching the dirt. Paint !!!

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 03, 2018

    I covered the rotting bottom wood on my shed with trim moulding. It looks brand new.

    • Kay Kay on Jun 12, 2020

      That’s what I want to do...did it hold up okay?? Did you remove the part that was rotted?

  • Cas7068285 Cas7068285 on Oct 03, 2018

    If you are not able to lift the shed off the ground slightly and get some cinder block or paver all the way around under the shed and then make a repair. I suggest cutting out the rot and replacing that amount of panel caulk the seam. You can purchase a belly band cladding that runs horizontally around depending how wide the cut or wood the width and length.Then purchase one or two sheets of wide angle roof flashing L shape depending how high up you want to protect from water.You can slip one end under the shed easily and the other will come up the side, use flashing adhesive and some roof nails or self taping ..L shape ...good luck

  • Chris Gignac Chris Gignac on Oct 05, 2018

    The bottom of your shed is rotting because it has contact with the ground. A good plan, would be to get that part of the shed off the ground. Let it dry out, then assess how much damage you actually have.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Jun 16, 2021

    Please don't add mulch without addressing the moisture. It will only make it worse. Can you get it on top of a slab? Once the moisture is addressed you can then determine if the damage can be cosmetically repaired or needs to be replaced.