COLORBOND® steel is engineered to last, with manufacturer warranties of up to 45 years. But warranties have conditions, and a small amount of regular maintenance makes the difference between a shed that looks great in 20 years and one that doesn’t.
Annual Inspection Checklist
Once a year, walk around your shed and check:
Roof
- Fasteners: Check for loose or missing screws. Wind and thermal expansion can work fasteners loose over time. Replace any that are lifted, missing, or have degraded rubber washers.
- Flashings: Check ridge capping, barge flashings, and gutter flashings for lifting or gaps. These are your first line of weather defence.
- Debris: Remove leaves, branches, and dirt buildup. Debris traps moisture against the steel surface, which accelerates corrosion, even on COLORBOND®.
Walls
- Damage: Look for dents, scratches, or impact marks. Scratches that expose bare steel will rust if not treated. Touch up with matching COLORBOND® touch-up paint (available from Bunnings).
- Base: Check the bottom of wall sheets where they meet the slab or ground. This is where moisture sits and corrosion starts. Clear any soil or mulch that’s built up against the cladding.
Gutters & Downpipes
- Clear all gutters of leaves and debris, blocked gutters overflow and direct water where it shouldn’t go
- Check downpipes are connected and directing water away from the building
- Inspect gutter brackets and ensure they haven’t sagged
Doors
- Roller doors: lubricate tracks and check spring tension annually
- PA doors: check hinges, seals, and locks
- Sliding doors: clean tracks and lubricate runners
Washing Your Shed
BlueScope recommends washing COLORBOND® surfaces at least every 6 months in coastal areas (within 1km of surf), and annually elsewhere. This is the single most important maintenance task.
How to wash:
- Use fresh water and a soft brush or low-pressure washer
- For stubborn dirt: mild detergent (dishwashing liquid), rinse thoroughly
- Never use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or high-pressure washers directly on the surface
- Wash from top to bottom so dirty water runs off
Coastal Properties
Salt air is the biggest enemy of steel buildings. If your shed is within 1km of the coast:
- Wash every 3-6 months minimum
- Pay extra attention to fasteners and cut edges
- Use COLORBOND® Ultra steel if available for your region, it has additional corrosion protection
- Inspect more frequently during storm season
What Voids Your Warranty
COLORBOND® warranties can be voided by:
- Contact with incompatible materials (certain treated timbers, copper, lead)
- Chemical exposure (fertilisers, concrete splashes, pool chemicals)
- Failure to maintain, specifically, failure to wash off salt and debris
- Storing materials against cladding that trap moisture
The full warranty terms are provided with every Shedz kit, read them and follow the maintenance schedule.
When to Call a Professional
- Structural damage from storms, falling trees, or vehicle impact
- Significant rust on structural members (columns, rafters)
- Roofing sheets that have lifted or been displaced
- Footing movement or cracking
