7 Lawn Equipment Storage Tips
Your lawn equipment is an asset you want to protect. Knowing how to properly store your equipment is important for its continued functionality, longevity, and condition. Without proper storage, your lawn equipment can deteriorate to the point of needing expensive repairs or a complete replacement. To keep your equipment in excellent condition, check out our 7 lawn equipment storage tips.
Tip 1: Store Large Equipment by the Door
Large equipment like riding mowers, push mowers, and lawn tractors are best stored near your shed or garage door. These items get lots of use so you want to keep them front and center for easy removal. You should keep a clear path between your large equipment and the door so these items can be retrieved or put away without needing to rearrange everything. Your lawn chores will be a lot easier when you’re not pulling items out of storage to reach your mower. Bristol Sheds offers a wide variety of sizing options for those needing extra space for large equipment. Make sure to review all sizing options available and let dealers know of your specific needs.
Tip 2: Remove or Stabilize Gas for Winter Storage
When storing gas-powered lawn equipment for the winter months, or another long stretch of time, you should stabilize or remove all gas from the tanks. When you neglect to stabilize or remove gas from your mower, it can become stale and cause clogging and damage to your mower’s carburetor. There are a few ways you can remove gas from your lawn equipment, however, one of the easiest ways is using a siphon pump. Alternatively, you don’t have to drain your mower’s gas tank if you add a stabilizer. Using a stabilizer keeps your mower’s gas fresh, saving you time and energy.
Tip 3: Store Gas Lawnmowers Horizontally
When reorganizing your shed or garage to save space, you should never position your gas mower vertically or hang it on a wall. Storing a gas lawnmower in any way other than its original horizontal position can cause gasoline leaks inside your shed or garage. Gasoline leaks put your building at risk of a fire and should be cleaned up right away. Spilled gasoline can also lead to health issues like sinus irritation, dizziness, and headaches. If you must hang your mower on a wall or position it vertically for long-term storage in the winter months, make sure you remove all gas from it beforehand to avoid leaks.
Tip 4: Create a Designated Space for Long Yard Tools
Keeping long yard tools in a designated, organized spot will keep the rest of your shed orderly and make finding what you’re looking for easier. Long tools like leaf rakes, garden rakes, shovels, and pruners can take up precious space and become tripping hazards if left unorganized. There are various ways you can store long yard tools to keep them out of the way. Some popular storage methods for long tools include pegboards, wall hooks, wall-mounted pallets, tall lockers, and lofts.
Tip 5: Clean Off Lawn Equipment & Tools After Use
Some quick cleaning after using lawn equipment and tools can save you time and money in the long run. Rinsing down your equipment and tools to remove grass clippings, dirt, and debris keeps them in good condition and helps them last longer. After being rinsed, all lawn care items should be fully dried to prevent rusting and trapped moisture. In addition to affecting longevity and functionality, leaving lawn care equipment dirty can attract insects and other pests to your shed. Taking a little extra time to wash off your equipment and tools will extend your equipment’s lifespan and keep your shed interior clean.
Tip 6: Store Lawn Equipment in a Well-Ventilated & Dry Place
It’s important to store your lawn equipment and tools in a well-ventilated, dry place to avoid deterioration and damage. Storage structures that aren’t properly ventilated foster a humid, damp environment that causes your tools and equipment to rust, corrode, and dull. Likewise, proper ventilation is important for your health as well. Your equipment storage space should be well-ventilated to keep out lingering gas and oil odors, as well as mold and mildew growth. Exposure to gas odors can lead to dizziness, nausea, headaches, and sinus irritation so you should always store gas-powered equipment in a well-ventilated space.
Tip 7: Keep Your Garage or Shed Locked
One of the best ways to protect your lawn equipment and other storage from theft or damage is to keep your storage building locked when not in use. Keeping your shed locked, especially overnight and when you’re on vacation, fends off potential burglaries. Additionally, locking your storage building keeps your children away from dangerous chemicals and tools that can cause injury when improperly handled. Taking a little extra time to lock your shed after use can prevent accidents and expensive replacements.
Shop Durable & Secure Storage Structures
Do you need a secure space to store your lawn equipment and tools? Check out Bristol Shed’s high-quality storage sheds and detached garages. Our storage buildings are built with durable materials and backed up by a 5-year workmanship warranty. Contact us today to learn more about our storage buildings or browse current inventory online.