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How to waterproof a shed floor

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Difficulty: Beginner

Water seeping under shed walls can cause damage to your stored items and be a potential safety hazard.

 

Here is a simple guide to waterproofing a shed on a concrete slab using an aluminium angle and sealant. 

 

You can also keep items dry in your shed by installing a new floor. Check out our guide How to install a shed floor for step-by-step instructions.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Steps

Step 1

Clean the concrete slab.

Use a pressure washer to remove any dirt or debris on the concrete slab outside the shed. Make sure the area is dry before proceeding. This will help ensure the aluminium angle adheres properly to the shed wall.

 

1.1 Cleaning concrete slab.png  1.2 Clean concrete slab.png  1.3 Gap between shed and concrete slab.png  1.4 Gap rendering.png

 

Step 2

Cut the aluminium angle.


Use a tape measure to measure the length of the shed wall that needs to be covered by the aluminium angle.

 

Cut the aluminium angle to size with a hacksaw. It's a good idea to use safety glasses and gloves while cutting. You can use a mitre box to cut the aluminium angle at a 45-degree angle for the shed corners. 

 

2.1 Cutting aluminium to length.png  2.2 Aluminium cut with 45-degree angles.png  2.3 Orientation for corners.png

 

 

Step 3

Apply sealer under the shed wall.

Cut the sealer nozzle with a retractable knife and insert it into your caulking gun. Don't forget to wear safety gloves and cut away from your body.

Starting at one end, apply sealer along the bottom of the shed wall where it meets the concrete slab. Apply the sealer evenly and smoothly.

 

It’s important to apply enough sealer to contact the concrete slab and the underside of the shed wall. This will prevent the water from seeping under the wall and into the shed.

 

3.1 Inserting tube into caulking gun.png  3.2 Starting to apply sealer into gap.png  3.3 Applying sealer into gap.png  3.4 Gap filling rendering.png  3.5 Sealer applied to gap.png

 

Step 4

Apply sealer on the shed and concrete slab.

 

Apply two more sealer beads, one on the vertical face of the shed's bottom trim and one directly in front of it on the concrete slab. This will help ensure the aluminium angle is firmly secured to the shed wall and concrete slab.

 

4.1 Applying sealer onto concrete slab.png  4.2 Applying sealer onto shed.png  4.3 Applying sealer to slab rendering.png  4.4 Applying sealer onto shed rendering.png

 

 

 

Step 5

Attach the aluminium angle.

Attach the aluminium angle to cover the gap between the shed wall and concrete slab. Press the angle firmly against the wall and concrete, ensuring it is level and straight.

Repeat Steps 1 to 5 for all four walls of your shed. If a smaller trim piece has been used on the bottom of your shed's door, apply only the sealant to the door's front edge.

You have now successfully sealed your shed.

 

5.1 Aluminium angle ready to push on.png  5.2 Aluminium angle in position.png  5.3 Smoothing edges of sealer.png  5.4 Aluminium angle in position rendering.png  5.5 Sealed shed..png

 

 

Materials

Tools

  • Tape measure
  • Mitre box
  • Caulking gun 
  • Retractable knife 
  • Hacksaw
  • Pressure washer 
  • Safety glasses 
  • Gloves. 

Images

1.1 Cleaning concrete slab.png  1.2 Clean concrete slab.png  1.3 Gap between shed and concrete slab.png  1.4 Gap rendering.png  2.1 Cutting aluminium to length.png  2.2 Aluminium cut with 45-degree angles.png  2.3 Orientation for corners.png  3.1 Inserting tube into caulking gun.png  3.2 Starting to apply sealer into gap.png  3.3 Applying sealer into gap.png  3.4 Gap filling rendering.png  3.5 Sealer applied to gap.png      4.1 Applying sealer onto concrete slab.png  4.2 Applying sealer onto shed.png  4.3 Applying sealer to slab rendering.png  4.4 Applying sealer onto shed rendering.png  5.1 Aluminium angle ready to push on.png  5.2 Aluminium angle in position.png  5.3 Smoothing edges of sealer.png  5.4 Aluminium angle in position rendering.png  5.5 Sealed shed..png

 

10 Replies
KatieC
Retired Team Member
Retired Team Member

Thanks Mitch!

 

Those looking for more great how-to guides on repairs around the home, head to our How To section and select the topic Repairing. These include guides like How to repair a water damaged ceiling and How to fix a muddy lawn.

 

If you have more questions about repairs, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to help. 

 

Katie

 

mich1972
Kind of a Big Deal

This is great for everyone who has a shed. Is it yours @MitchellMc

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

The steps show my shed @mich1972. Plenty of items I've stored in there were damaged from water entering under the walls. Now I'll be able to keep items out of the weather and safe from moisture damage.

 

Mitchell

 

Iain
Growing in Experience

Although it might be considered overkill in this situation, the following extra step at the start would be an improvement: Use pressure cleaner to blast as much rust off the bottom strip as possible. Paint rusty strip with rust converter followed by appropriate paint.

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

That would certainly be an option @Iain, and would assist with preventing further degradation of the steel trim. However, I would hope that additional step shouldn't be needed in most cases as my shed is in fairly poor condition. This area and trim were covered with soil for many years. I'm not willing to accept fault for that one as I'm renting. 😄

 

Thanks for your input, as I trust any of our members with a similar-looking trim will appreciate your advice.

 

Mitchell

   

micahclifford
Just Starting Out

Thanks, MitchellMc. 

 

The shed I am looking to waterproof is pretty tricky (see attached photos). Do you think I could slide some aluminium channels underneath the shed tin walls like you have in your plans? If so, what is the best way to secure these to the shed walls? 

 

Once I have slid these under the shed, could I then Sikaflex the Unequal Angle aluminium as per your instructions? 

 

IMG_2969.jpgIMG_2963.jpgIMG_2966.jpgIMG_2964.jpg

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Hi @micahclifford,

 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

 

Apologies for the delay in response.

 

The shed @MitchellMc has waterproofed sits back from the edge of the concrete slab by around 100mm. It doesn't look like your shed does this, which means it is unlikely you can employ the exact same method.

 

Looking at your first photo, it looks like the timber frame is firmly on the concrete, but your second and fourth photos show the iron in front of the concrete. Can you advise where the outside bottom edge of the timber sits in relation to the concrete?

 

I ask because we need to be able to seal the outside bottom edge of the timber to the concrete to prevent water from getting in underneath it. When this timber sits firmly on the concrete, you can use the method Mitchell has or simply run a bead of Sika 300ml Concrete Grey Sikaflex 11FC Purform along the bottom edge of the timber, however, I'm not sure this will work in your situation. Some further detail and some photos of where the timber frame sits in relation to the outside edge of the concrete would help.

 

Unfortunately, due to the design of your shed, it may not be possible to entirely stop the water, but with a few more details, I may be able to offer solutions that will reduce the amount that gets in. 

 

Allow me to tag @Dave-1@Nailbag and @JoeAzza for their thoughts.

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Jacob

 

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Afternoon @micahclifford 

Maybe you could use this Metal Mate 50 x 25 x 1.6mm 1M Aluminium Unequal Angle - 1m (it comes in longer lengths as well)

It says unequal angle tho look slike a right angle, whichever way it is the idea that @MitchellMc has put forward should work even as you edge is very close to the wall.

 

Take the right angle, low side facing up, long side as the foot. Tilt it so the short edge slides under the wall and up behind it. Then use the silastic mentioned to glue it to the concrete or timber depending on which wall you are installing along. You will need to loosen the bottom row of screws that fasten the tin to the timber I would say to make you job easier. 

 

The short side Vertical will stop the water traveling into the shed, the long side will help shift the water out, the silastic under the foot will form the seal. 

The side with the grass high may need to be dog out to allow room for the water to run away.

 

With the channels @MitchellMc has suggested I think they be a bit of a problem to do in your case and would skip them in preference of a high wall and long foot.

 

Dave

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Hi @Dave-1,

 

Thank you for some great advice that I'm sure @micahclifford will appreciate.

 

Just to clarify, metal angles are referred to as either EA, equal angle or UA, unequal angle. The term unequal angle refers to the fact one leg is 25mm long and the other is 50mm long. The angle itself is still 90° whether they are EA or UA.

 

Just thought you might like to know.

 

Jacob

 

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Evening @JacobZ 

:surprised: Bingo! Just learnt something new lol Seriously I didnt know that. 

Thank you. :smile:

 

Dave

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