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There are several reasons why plastic sheds might crack. One common cause is the natural expansion and contraction of seasonal temperature changes. If you’re looking to fix yours, we can walk you through the steps using a soldering iron.
This technique works well on sheds made from vinyl, polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). It’s even better if you’re familiar with using the tool, but don’t worry—if it’s your first time, we’ll show you how it’s done in just four steps.
Plastic Shed Repair: Dealing with Cracks
Step 1: Get the fillers
It’s always a good idea to have bits of similar plastic to use as filler for a stronger bond. For one, the melted plastic from the soldering iron might not be enough to seal the crack fully. Head over to your local hardware store and grab whatever plastic matches your shed’s material (e.g., vinyl, PE, or PP).
Step 2: Prepare your soldering iron
Plug the soldering iron into a socket and turn it on. If it has a temperature dial, set it to 350°C (or 662°F) and let it heat up for about 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tip starts to glow, and you can feel the heat when you hover your hand near it.
The tip must be clean and free of any old solder. If you spot any, wipe it off with a damp sponge.
Step 3: Sand the cracks
While the soldering iron is heating up, take the chance to sand the damaged area. Start with some 80-120 grit sandpaper to smooth things out, then switch to finer sandpaper (ideally, around 200 grit) for a nicer finish. This will help get rid of any dirt, debris, or rough edges, leaving the surface ready for welding.
Step 4: Begin to solder
Hold the soldering iron’s tip just above the crack and slowly move it along to melt the edges. As the plastic softens and melts, add the filler to close the gap. As the edge melts, so does the filler, creating a bond.
Once the crack is sealed, run the soldering iron gently over the repaired area to smooth it out. Repeat this process for each crack until everything is fixed.
Let the repaired areas cool and set after welding and harden completely. Cleaning up any rough patches or excess plastic might also help finish the job neatly, and you’re done!
What Happens if Cracks Are Left Untreated in Vinyl Sheds?
They’ll just get worse over time. With all the weather—rain, wind, and extreme temperatures—the cracks will probably expand, making the whole structure weaker. Not only that, but high humidity and poor ventilation caused by the cracks can create the perfect conditions for mould to form on the surface or inside.
Round-up
Before you start welding the cracks, make sure you have a matching plastic filler to create the bond. Then, it’s the basics: turning on and heating your soldering iron, sanding the area, and finally, welding.
Stay on top of your upkeep routine with these ‘Plastic Shed Maintenance Tips’!
