Waterproofing shed - will caulk do?

[ConfusedRhubarb]

There is an ancient and tiny old shed on my plot, pretty sure it is an original feature from the 50's or 60's, so I have a lingering admiration for it still being upright and moreorless intact. However, it less than beautiful, and basically maintenance has been very Heath Robinson - it seems to have been kept together with scrap wood, bits of angle iron supporting the corners and a huge curtain of reinforced plastic covering the top, back and sides (I've seen similar stuff as all-weather covering on roof-replacement jobs). I've basically left it alone as it does the job (just) and I'm worried that any investigations under that cover might do more harm than good.

Now I've noticed that the exposed bits of tongue and groove on the front are slipping, and I was wondering if it was worth running some decorating caulk along the gaps on the inside where I can see light coming through. Or is that a terrible idea? I already have the caulk and a gun-thing to apply it with and I'm not keen to spend a lot of money on repairing something in this state, but I don't want to do harm either. It was originally bought for the bathroom, and it does say suitable for outdoor use on the tube. Any wise warnings, reassurance or inspired suggestions will be gratefully received.

[lottie dolly]

post us some pics,then we can see what to advise,the long and short of it are,if not letting water,not swaying about,leave it over winter,are you able to rustle up another ?,myself would not waste money on that caulk,

[jonny the plant pot]

Caulk is for decoration it's not waterproof get a tin of bitumen or some silicone

[Baldy]

poundland and similar flog silicone - would be better than caulk - sometimes I've seen the stuff that's intended for Window frames - though I'm not sure if there's any chemical difference between t and bathroom silicone

[Potstubsdustbins]

^^^More or less every silicone is slightly different to help better with their application. I agree decorators caulk will do very little good. If your working inside and want to stop the boards slipping further have a look at Gripfill code 64958 at Screwfix.

[ConfusedRhubarb]

Thanks everyone - I realised I should have put a picture up but before posting this found that I have hardly any photos with even a bit of the shed in them. I suppose I have my back to the poor ugly thing or it gets cut out of shot. Anyhow took these on phone today but had to go through such hoops to upload them to PC first, that I'm afraid I then gave up at the final hurdle of trying to figure out how to rotate them for you - there seem to be some buttons etc on that upload screen that aren't really visible/usable on my machine/browser set up.


The caulk is some I have leftover, the label actually says "H0mBase multi purpose sealant...suitable for interior and exterior use...sealing gaps and joints around baths, sinks...and window frames."

I'm honestly not sure if it is letting water in or not, as I've never checked, and the stuff I currently have up against those bits is mostly waterproof in it's own right or in plastic bags or buckets, I just noticed the amount of light coming in for the first time, but don't think it was that extreme last year. I'd like to fix it while we have good weather.

[Baldy]

Sounds like the sealant you have would be ok for some of the smaller gaps - there are a few that you've pictured that look too big for standard sealant though.
I'd be considering sing pallet wood or similar to overboard the worst of it then seal.