A shed can come in any size or shape. It can be built in the garage, behind a secret walkway, or in the basement. There are however some items that you should not put in your shed.
In this article, we will have a deep look at some of the items that should never be stored in a shed. So read on to find out more.
1. Paint And Hazardous Materials
Any advice on shed safety would be incomplete if paint and hazardous materials are not mentioned. You will have to avoid leaving unused paint cans in your shed if you want them to keep color. Most of the paint will be useless if stored there for a long time. Both hot temperatures and freezing temperatures will cause the paint to separate and curdle.
Paint can also explode if subjected to extremely hot temperatures. Old paint cans placed on the floor are vulnerable to rust. If left for long periods, the rust may cut through the can and cause a mess on the floor.
These paint cans and items such as pesticides and cleaning supplies should be stored in a temperature-controlled room, preferably in cabinets. Hazardous material should be disposed of through the recommended instructions.
2. Clothing And Fabric
You will commonly find fabric items such as linens, seasonal clothing, and blankets in a shed. These items should be stored in airtight spaces. This is because fumes and dust from power equipment exhausts will make the clothes smell awful or create permanent stains on them.
Pests and rodents such as rats will also find a spot to build their homes on clothes and fabric. Clothes also attract moths, and leather and fur don’t last in damp areas. Always consider storing your clothes in vacuum-sealed bags if you cannot get rid of them.
3. Spare Refrigerators
If you have an extra fridge in your shed, you may consider placing it in a temperature-controlled room rather than a shed.
Extreme temperature differences can cause these appliances to work extra to maintain their contents at the required temperature. In summer, a non-temperature controlled shed can reach an excess of 100 degrees, forcing the fridge to work overtime to keep cool.
During winter it’s no better as even the fridges’ insulated doors will not keep the food from freezing. This will translate to extra costs on the electricity bills.
A fridge running in the shed can also raise the moisture levels within the space. This will then be an issue if the shed lacks proper ventilation.
4. Food
Canned food or dry packaged food should be kept elsewhere besides the shed.
The shelf life of these items will be shortened by humidity and exposure to hot and cold temperatures. Canned food spoils when exposed to hot temperatures. Very cold temperatures make the food freeze and thaw out making them inedible over time.
You should always store the food in a dry and climate-controlled environment such as a kitchen cupboard. You should consider adjusting your shopping list if you have too much food that needs to be stored in a shed. It will be a waste of money having to throw away excess food that’s spoilt.
5. Electronics
Most people don’t like throwing away electronics even after they are useless.
They store them in sheds. This can lead the shed to be an electronics dumpsite over time. Electronics often found in a shed include old TVs, computers, radios, and gaming consoles. Most of them are usually obsolete and useless.
Items that are not old can be damaged when exposed to humidity and extreme temperatures. Circuit boards and solder joints on this electronic equipment will be destroyed. Tiny insects might get inside the electronics and chew codes and therefore damage the appliance. A shelf in a closet is a better place to store these electronics.
6. Propane Tanks
It is common to find a propane tank stored in a shed.
It can be a barbecue propane tank or propane tank used for welding tools. Most people store them in the sheds as a backup in case the one in use gets used up.
Propane tanks are highly combustible and should be properly stored. They pose an ignition and fire threat and in case of gas leakage, catastrophic damages may occur when fire erupts. Propane tanks should be kept outside and have their valves closed tightly to avoid any leakage. For safety purposes, consider doing the following:
- Keep cylinders away from any potential spark sources.
- Store all types of cylinders away from the house.
- Store the cylinders on flat surfaces.
7. Wooden Furniture
People usually keep old wooden furniture in their sheds with the intention of restoring them.
Having this furniture in the shed could lead to a few undesirable results. The wood will be softened by humidity making it easier for termites and pests to use the wood as their home.
Changing humidity levels and temperature swings will cause the wood fibers to contract and expand. This will gradually cause the wood to break and sometimes split beyond the point of repair.
Wooden furniture should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment. Furniture will be further protected by cleaning them and treating them with wood polish before storing them.
8. Wine
Most homeowners believe a shed to be a good place to stash their wine.
They have no idea how terrible it is to store wine in their sheds. Wine needs a stable environment to maintain its quality and lengthen its lifespan. Wine stored in a place with changing temperatures will oxidize. This is due to the expansion and contraction caused by the conditions.
The quality of the wine will be distorted to a point where it will be almost undrinkable. A good place to store wine is a wine cabinet or fridge in the house.
9. Old Photos, Paper, And Artwork
Photos, artwork, and paper should be kept in a humidity and climate-controlled space. Moisture causes photos to stick on one another and grow mold, thereby destroying the photo. Photos should be stored in dark and well-ventilated areas that are free from humidity like a closet.
The artwork also needs a climate-controlled environment for storage. This is because it is vulnerable to heat and moisture. Heat causes it to expand and while it cools down, it contracts. This will distort over time.
Paper products such as newspapers and magazines shouldn’t be stored in sheds as they are a fire hazard. They also encourage pests as they enjoy using paper products for making their homes. Therefore, to protect your cherished memories, avoid keeping your photos in the shed.
The items we have discussed above should not be stored in a shed. You should think carefully about whatever you decide to store in your shed. Hopefully, this guide has aided you in this regard!