Equipmet storage in hot shed

rbstern · Jul 9, 2015

Just took delivery of a 12x20 Wood-Tex shed, for storing our lawn and garden gear and two ATVs. Love the shed, great build quality, and watching them deliver it off a flatbed using a specialized mule was kinda cool.

Wondering if anyone can offer comments on long-term experience regarding storing stuff in a shed that gets hit hard by the sun. The shed has gable vents, and I could also leave the windows open for additional ventilation, but I find myself wondering if I should put a solar powered vent fan on the roof to improve air flow and lower the inside temp. In addition to machines, I'm also storing lawn chemicals, fertilizer, seed, deer corn, bird seed, etc.

Any input appreciated.

Trillium Farm · Jul 9, 2015

Until you know how hot it gets it's all guesswork! You must check what temp (high) it gets to by putting in a thermometer and check the temp several times a day for a couple of days. Once you do this you'll know if it's too hot, then you can decide the course of action.

Kapnfriday · Jul 9, 2015

Good looking shed. I've had one the same size but with a gambrel roof since 2004. I use it for essentially the same purpose you describe. It gets a lot of sun and has the gable-end vents like yours. It does not have any windows. I haven't had any issues with heat - but man it sure does get hot in there. Make sure to leave the vents open on your fuel containers. Cold has been more of a problem for me. I left my pressure washer in the shed when we had temps near 0 in Raleigh and the pump froze causing a bunch of cracks in the housing. Lesson learned.

Will_C · Jul 9, 2015

They are great buildings. I have a 12x24' one car garage from Wood-Tex for a couple of years. I have the gable vents, and a ridge vent. I leave the 2 windows open in the summer. It gets warm in there, but not uncomfortably hot.

Will

rbstern · Jul 10, 2015

Trillium Farm said:
Until you know how hot it gets it's all guesswork! You must check what temp (high) it gets to by putting in a thermometer and check the temp several times a day for a couple of days. Once you do this you'll know if it's too hot, then you can decide the course of action.

Any idea how hot is too hot?

rbstern · Jul 10, 2015

Kapnfriday said:
Good looking shed. I've had one the same size but with a gambrel roof since 2004. I use it for essentially the same purpose you describe. It gets a lot of sun and has the gable-end vents like yours. It does not have any windows. I haven't had any issues with heat - but man it sure does get hot in there. Make sure to leave the vents open on your fuel containers. Cold has been more of a problem for me. I left my pressure washer in the shed when we had temps near 0 in Raleigh and the pump froze causing a bunch of cracks in the housing. Lesson learned.

Good tip on the fuel. I've got a Rubbermaid storage box for the fuel containers. Not going to put them in with the lawn and garden gear.

jack707 · Jul 10, 2015

Get a box fan or a small A/c

woodlandfarms · Jul 10, 2015

No, wait, hold on. Leave your vents open on your fuel containers inside a shop? What? I am no expert but this is contrary to everything I have ever learned about fuel storage.

As for the other comments, yeah, cold is my issue, yes it gets hot in a shed, you can put a gable vent but I would not cut into the roof. One on either end. But somehow or other I get lax about winter (cause I am putting my machine in a shop) and then I get damage from freezing up.

How hot is too hot? You storing your old albums in the top rafter? You got lots of plastics in there? If not, probably not going to ever get hot enough to do any damage no matter if you lock the shed up airtight or not. remember your gear sits in the direct sun without the shed, can't get much hotter than that.

Gary Fowler · Jul 10, 2015

I have an uninsulated shed adjoining my shop where I keep my lawnmowers and boat/fishing gear and fuel. It gets hot but not unbearably hot. I have one window that I keep open during the summer for some ventilation. I have had no problems.

Regarding water pumps, pressure waters, garden spray pumps etc. Those need to be drained and either some antifreeze pumped in to keep them from freezing or completely evacuate the water from the pump. On my pressure washer after removing all the hoses , I just pull the starter cord a few times till the pump quits spitting water and I have never had any freeze problems in the 15 years of doing it that way.

Gary Fowler · Jul 10, 2015

rbstern said:
Any idea how hot is too hot?

I don't think any storage building that keeps the equipment out of direct sunlight is going to get too hot for your equipment. UVa and UVb + infrared from direct sunlight is what kills the plastic/rubber. I doubt any shed will get as hot as the inside of a car engine compartment and that doesn't seem to effect the rubber hoses and belts on them. I have a 2003 SUV that has always been garaged and out of direct sunlight and none of the plastic is damaged, all the hoses and belts are original also and the Lexan headlight covers are not yellowed like many that I see.