Caring for Your Summer Equipment in the Winter: Tips for Storage
Your summer equipment is useful for most of the year, but once the snow starts to fall, you will want to put your lawnmower, weed whacker, and even your recreational vehicles in storage so they don't get wet or damaged due to winter cold. Many storage facilities in your area have units that are large enough to house even your largest equipment, such as ATVs or riding lawn mowers, with ease. Here are some tips to help you store your summer equipment and machinery so it is ready for use when the weather warms up again.
Choose a temperature controlled unit
If you have oils and gasoline in your lawn equipment that you don't want to gel up, which can make these pieces of machinery more difficult to start in the spring, then choose a storage unit that has a temperature control feature attached to it. You may pay a bit extra for this type of unit but you will be able to enjoy longer-lasting machinery as a result. As a bonus, you can store your winter items, such as a snowblower or snow machine, in a temperature controlled unit as well to keep your machinery from getting too warm in the summer months.
Take care of the flooring
Choose a unit with flooring that you can easily cover with a tarp or paint liner to prevent getting spills on the surface. Cement is porous and can absorb stains caused by antifreeze, oil, power steering fluid, and more, so let the storage unit facility know you will be requiring a unit that has linoleum or cement flooring that has been sealed. This way you can prevent damaging the unit in any way and can manage accidental equipment leakage as a result.
Cover items in storage
To prevent nicks and scratches of your expensive equipment, wrap each item in a thin sheet, blanket, or large piece of burlap. This keeps these items from damage as you place things in storage and accidentally bump equipment into one another. As a bonus, if one of your pieces of equipment tips over or leaks fluid on another item that is covered, there is less likely to be damage caused as a result. You can get blankets and sheets at your local thrift store to save money on material you would otherwise not want ruined. Wash and store blankets after use so you can keep them handy for your winter storage items.