Does my shed require guttering? The easy answer is no, but as with most things shed related, there is more to it than that.
Although sheds are at the mercy of the rain, and the roof is protected with roofing felt, the rainwater drips off the roof eaves (the lower edge of the sloping roof sides) and onto the surrounding ground. Inevitably the lower part of the shed sides get wet from the runoff water, even though the eaves extend a short distance away from the sides. A breeze may blow the rain on to the sides of the shed as it falls off the eaves. The result is that the shed sides and especially the lower half of the sides may get wet. Guttering is therefore far more preferable than leaving a shed without, if only to keep the sides of the shed as free from rain as possible.
Guttering can be installed so that the down pipe empties onto the shed surround – paving, soil, grass, whatever. But if the water can be collected into a container it can then be used for watering plants in your garden. This not only saves the base of the shed getting waterlogged, but saves using mains domestic water – a cost effective and environmentally friendly solution.
Recycle Rain Water
Rainwater is also often better for Rhododendrons and Azaleas than using tap water, which in some areas may be hard/limey. If your kettle accumulates lime scale in the bottom you have hard water.
Garden water butts are widely available, and vary in size – mine is 200 litres, but I also have an old plastic central heating water cistern from a local house renovation. It may also be possible to acquire a broken wheelie bin from your local authority or recycling centre.
Keep Guttering Clean
It is best to keep the guttering clear of leaves, but an unplanned bonus of my guttering, when I have not kept it clear, is that small garden birds use it to drink from and collect nesting material.
