How to Dismantle an Old Metal Shed

a metal shed with two windows and one door
What You'll Need
Dumpster or large wheelbarrow
Adjustable wrench and heavy-duty pliers
Metal snips
Crowbar
Reciprocating saw with metal cutting blades
Sledgehammer
Ball peen hammer and chisel
Hard hat
Eye protection
Heavy canvas work gloves
Steel protective boots
An assistant with the same safety equipment
What You'll Need
Dumpster or large wheelbarrow
Adjustable wrench and heavy-duty pliers
Metal snips
Crowbar
Reciprocating saw with metal cutting blades
Sledgehammer
Ball peen hammer and chisel
Hard hat
Eye protection
Heavy canvas work gloves
Steel protective boots
An assistant with the same safety equipment

When it is time for shed removal in your backyard or garden, you may have to dismantle that old metal shed. Approach this task with planning and caution and leave yourself with a reusable base on which to build your new shed. Start your disassembly from the roof downward to prevent collapsing the shed on yourself or your helper.

Step 1 - Empty the Old Shed

Remove everything stored in the old shed and move it well away, farther than the height of the shed.

Step 2 - Remove Windows and Doors

If the shed has glass windows and a hinged or sliding door, remove these before continuing demolition to prevent injury from them falling on people or pets.

Step 3 - Remove the Roof

Unscrew the roof fastenings if possible. If the fastenings are rusted or bent, use the crowbar to pry apart the roof at its top seam, then pry it off the side walls. Strike the roof from the outside with the sledgehammer near the wall seams to loosen it if prying alone is ineffective. If the roof is made of separate panels or shingles, take these apart into pieces and move them out of your way. Dispose of all old nails, rusty screws and nuts, and damaged roofing material in a dumpster or wheelbarrow for later disposal.

Step 4 - Remove the Walls

Once the roof is off, go inside the shed walls and examine how they are attached to the concrete base. If they are screwed down, attempt to remove the screw fasteners with the adjustable wrench and heavy-duty pliers. Should the screws be stuck in place due to corrosion, use the sledgehammer to knock the walls outward from inside the enclosure. If you cannot knock them down, connect the reciprocating saw to a power source and cut away sections of the walls horizontally, starting at a doorway and moving away from it.

Pile the cut sections of wall a safe distance from the shed enclosure. Pry up the lowest sections with the crowbar to remove them. Dig out any fasteners from around the edge of the concrete with a ball peen hammer and small chisel. Make as few cracks or holes in the concrete base as possible.

Step 5 - Examine the Concrete Base

If the concrete base is overall in good condition with no cracks, mold or water damage, and is still sitting level on the ground, clean it up with a solution of trisodium phosphate and water to remove dirt and any stains. Fill the old screw holes with fresh concrete mortar and caulking.

Step 6 - Dispose of the Old Shed

If you have salvaged whole walls of the old shed, list them on a local sale and exchange website to have them taken away. If they are not usable, put all of it in a dumpster for recycling or transport to landfill.