Homeowners have been urged not to keep one item in their shed over the summer. Outbuilding experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have shared common household items that should be kept away from outdoor storage during hot weather.
Sheds can become very hot and humid during summer, with internal temperatures reaching up to 10C hotter than outside. A lack of insulation or airflow means heat can quickly build up and stay trapped inside. A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “It’s easy to think of your shed as a place for all storage, but many everyday items simply aren’t designed to withstand the heat and humidity that builds up inside over summer.
“We’re encouraging homeowners to take stock of what’s in their shed now before the warm weather really kicks in. People don’t often realise something has spoiled or warped until it’s too late. A quick check now could save both money and memories later.”
One of the major items to keep out of your shed is paint. High temperatures can cause it to dry too quickly, become thicker, and potentially lead to issues like uneven coverage, poor adhesion, and even explosions in aerosol cans.
Additionally, heat can shorten the paint’s open time, making it more difficult to work with. Applying paint that has overheated will create bumps and blisters on the surface of the wall, causing an uneven finish.
Electronics are another item to keep out of the shed this summer. Extreme heat inside a shed can damage the internal components of various electronic items.
Lithium-ion batteries – common in phones, laptops, and power tools – are also sensitive to heat, causing them to swell, leak, or even catch fire in extreme cases.
Also, be sure to keep photographs somewhere cool. Photographs exposed to heat and humidity can result in irreversible damage. High temperatures can cause photo paper to wrap or curl and colours to fade, while humidity encourages mould and mildew.