THINGS TO AVOID STORING IN YOUR GARAGE
Your garage does an excellent service by protecting your car against the elements. More people use their garage door as an entrance than their front door for the first time in history, thanks to the automation of garage doors. A garage has become a standard storage space for things we might want later.
But, there are some things a garage should never be used to store. Today, we’re going to look at those things, and if you happen to have them stored in your garage, consider relocating them.
Anything which doesn’t handle wild temperature fluctuations
Furniture, paint, toys, and other materials which don’t handle a fluctuation from heat to cold well should remain in the house. It should also be noted that anything which can handle temperature fluctuations but isn’t stored in a tightly sealed container will be subject to the fumes of your car every time you start or run it in the car, so expect some residue film as a result.
Flammables
Gasoline, propane, even cans of hairspray are all subject to the whims of intense heat. These are all dangerous as a vapor. If you must store flammable objects, please save them somewhere where they aren’t subject to sparks from pilot lights or aren’t attached to the house in the event they do cause a fire.
Refrigerator (or freezer)
It seems like a perfect spot to put a spare refrigerator, but, if you consider the extremes, possibly not. If it’s too hot, the fridge takes the cold from the freezer section, and it sends the compressor into overdrive to cool the freezer. This irregular cycle shortens the life of the refrigerator. But, if it’s too cold, the fridge and freezer both freeze.
In between, when it’s cold enough in the garage to keep the refrigerator food fresh, the thermometer thinks everything is, and the compressor (which cools the freezer first) never goes on. Everything in the freezer melts.
The solution, if you insist on having a garage refrigerator, is to get one with a dual thermometer setup (fridge and freezer) or to insulate the garage, or even just an area for the fridge.
Food
In higher temperatures, food goes bad. This includes pet food, which always carries the warning to store in a cool, dry place, and canned food, which can spoil in temperatures over 85 degrees. Dry food will also be the dinner bell for rodents and bugs, as a garage is generally sealed less tightly than a home.
Paper
Paper includes thing like books and journals. It may not seem possible, but paper is exceptionally delicate and subject to decay, either by moisture, which causes it to mold or by dry air, which causes it to yellow and become brittle. In the spirit of preservation, a homeowner may use sealed tubs to store them, which will have the added benefit of keeping them safe from roaches, silverfish, and spiders. But, honestly, if they’re of any value, keep them in the house.
Fabrics
Fabrics are similar to paper in that the heat will make them rot in short order. If they are clothing and have elastic, that will also decay. Pests, including mice, think of fabric as the perfect nesting spot. Cotton fabric needs to ‘breathe,’ as well.
If you have something which isn’t on this list, but you have concerns about storing it in your garage, consult the manufacturer for more information. Also, if you have an automatic garage door which is damaged as a result of stored materials falling on it, give us a call.
Quality Overhead Door, Inc. is a full-service garage door installation and repair company for both residential and commercial customers in the GIlbert area 480-838-8850.
