Homeowners are being warned that storing expensive electrical items in their sheds can cause extreme damage.
Irreparable damage can be caused to pricey electrical items stored in sheds and outhouses with the risk meaning they have to be replaced.
This includes electrical items like computers, mobile phones, and televisions which can be vulnerable to extreme temperatures and humidity.
Outbuilding experts at GardenBuildingsDirect have issued the warning that items exposed to freezing temperatures can cause damage in the LCD displays of televisions, whilst computer hard drives can break, leading to potential data loss.
Fluctuating temperatures also causes a lot of condensation in a shed, and when moisture gets into devices it can result in irreversible damage to delicate parts.
As well as being affected by the conditions inside a shed, electrical goods can also be susceptible to potential pest damage including rats.
Instead those looking to make use of additional storage space outside are advised that certain electrical items should always be stored indoors.
A spokesperson at Garden Buildings Direct said: “The extreme conditions inside a shed at different points throughout the year makes it an unsuitable storage place for your expensive electrical items.
“You might be tempted to store items like a computer or television in your shed during renovations for example, but you could do irreparable damage to your goods.
“Most electrical goods don’t respond well to freezing temperatures or extreme heat and the delicate parts inside them can be damaged beyond repair.
“You should make sure you are only storing suitable items outdoors like tools and garden furniture to avoid any costly replacements.”
Garden equipment, tools, and bikes are perfect to be stored in sheds and can withstand the conditions, but not everything can be safely stored and are better stored elsewhere.
What to avoid and why:
Extreme heat
Sheds can become extremely humid, especially during the summer months, and electrical items in the shed can warp, overheat, and become damaged. Batteries could also potentially leak or even explode.
Condensation
The fluctuation of temperature can cause plenty of condensation inside your shed, and excessive moisture can result in short circuits and malfunctions. Moisture could also seep into devices, causing irreversible damage to delicate parts of electrical items.
Pests
Rodents and pests might nest in your shed throughout winter to escape the cold. But this could also leave your electronic goods vulnerable. Wires and battery casings could be chewed on, leading to electrical hazards.
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