
Storage Building Maintenance Checklist
By SchwebAdmin
Maintaining your storage building will prevent you from needing costly repairs and extend the life of your structure. At Raber Storage Barns, we build structures with high-quality, durable materials that stand the test of time. However, to fully protect your investment, you will need to maintain the structure periodically. To maintain your storage building, you’ll need to clean both the inside and outside, inspect for damage, and fix the surrounding area. Here is a storage building maintenance checklist to help you get started.
Exterior Cleaning

Cleaning is one of the most frequent maintenance tasks you’ll have to do on your storage building. Our storage buildings offer three different siding options: wood, vinyl, and metal. Although they can usually be cleaned the same, there are a few differences. Generally, you just need to hose down the structure and scrub it with dish soap and water to clean the building. Below are some specific cleaning instructions for each siding type.
Cleaning Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is very easy to maintain. The simplest method to clean it is to use soap and water with a soft-bristle brush to scrub the structure. We recommend working in small sections by hosing it down, scrubbing with soap and water, rinsing it off, then going to the next section. For harsh stains and mildew growth, you can use bleach to clean them. Don’t use too much bleach, though; the recommended ratio is 1 part bleach and 3 parts water.
Cleaning Wood Siding
For wood siding, you can use the same methods as you would to clean vinyl siding. We have two wood siding options, painted and urethane. Painted structures can be cleaned with soap and water, but be careful when using cleaning solutions, as sometimes the paint can react to them. Test it first by cleaning a small section. Urethane structures should only be cleaned using soap and water. Do not use bleach, as it could discolor the stain. After cleaning, you may need to repaint the siding to preserve the look of the structure and protect the wood. We recommend doing this every few years.
Cleaning Metal Siding
Metal siding generally just needs to be rinsed off once or twice a year, and can get dirty quickly if you don’t. If they need a deeper cleaning, scrub them with soap or a mild detergent with water. You can also use a power washer to clean metal siding, just have it on the lowest setting so you don’t dent the metal. We have a 40-year metal warranty on all our storage buildings made with metal siding or roofs.

Interior Cleaning
Clean the inside of your storage building to improve the quality of the structure and make it more durable. Sweep the floors to get rid of any excess dirt or dust buildup, and clean off any equipment you have so they are clean and ready to use. You should also declutter and organize all your belongings to determine what is not needed or broken and needs to be thrown away. We recommend doing this at least once a year, either before Midwest winters start or during a spring cleaning. To organize your storage, we’ve found it best to swap out summer and winter equipment during the fall and spring so the tools you need for that season are easily accessible.
Inspect the Structure
The most vital part of storage building maintenance is to periodically inspect the structure to extend its lifespan. Our structures are highly durable, but Midwestern weather conditions can cause a little bit of wear and tear that needs to be addressed. You need to inspect every part of the building to ensure there are no issues that could become bigger problems down the line. If you identify any issues, address them immediately.
Roof
In our experience, the roof of your storage building will experience the most damage. Inspect it for any leaks, cracks, damaged shingles, and moss growth. Fix the leaks and cracks by filling them with caulk, replace the damaged shingles, and remove any moss. These will ensure the roof has proper drainage so moisture doesn’t build up on the structure. It is important to address cracks and leaks sooner rather than later, as these can bring bugs and moisture inside your structure. If you don’t fix these immediately, it can lead to further damage, resulting in higher repair costs.
Siding
Check the siding for any cracks, damage, or rot. Seal any cracks in the siding with silicone caulk. If there are severely damaged or rotted siding panels, it’s best to replace them. If you have wooden siding, repaint it if needed. Similar to the roof, you should be fixing these issues immediately so there is no further damage.
Doors and Windows
Inspect your doors and windows to ensure they are properly sealed and are in good working condition. Repair or replace any damaged components, and seal any cracks you see to keep the structure watertight. Check if the hinges are working properly, and lubricate them if needed. These are more exposed to Midwestern weather and can wear down quickly. We recommend lubricating them with WD-40 to protect the metal.

Foundation
Check all structural components like the foundation, walls, ceiling, and floors for any cracks, leaks, settling, and water damage. Make sure there is proper drainage for the foundation; if moisture builds up, it can lead to structural problems and mold growth. If you want to reduce the amount of moisture in your storage building, check out our insulation packages. It is vital that any foundational issues are addressed right away, as these issues can deteriorate the whole structure.
Maintain the Surrounding Area
Clean the area surrounding the storage building of any branches, debris, or overgrown plants to protect the exterior. Trees and shrubs around the structure can attract pests, leading to an infestation. Overgrown vegetation can also hold a lot of moisture, which can get into your building and rot the siding. Trim away any branches on your roof, growing vegetation, and tall grass to keep it neat, protect the siding, and deter pests.
Build a Storage Building with Raber
Raber Storage Barns builds high-quality, durable storage buildings that require little maintenance. Inspections and cleaning are normal for any shed owner, but our premium craftsmanship will ensure that they are easy to tackle. If you’re looking for a new storage solution for your backyard, check out our storage buildings and shed styles. We have pre-built structures at our various locations that are ready for delivery, or you can design a custom structure with our 3D Configurator. Contact us today to get started.