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Whether you live in an urban centre or a regional town, winter can take its toll on your home and garden. This means that you need to insulate your doors and windows, cover your pool and protect your plants from frost. But one thing that’s often overlooked is your outdoor furniture or play equipment. If left outside, it can get damaged, stained or warped – and cost you hundreds in replacement costs. To prevent this, we show you how to winterise your outdoor furniture or play equipment to ensure its safety and longevity for years to come. Storage of at-risk items in winter is also another factor you should consider. Let’s take a look at hoe you can prepare your items for winter storage.
What is winterising?
Winterising is the process of protecting your home and garden from the effects of winter. This includes covering your pool to keep out leaves or caulking your windows to prevent heat loss. But it also includes protecting your outdoor furniture and equipment. Moisture and cold temperatures can damage these items, particularly if they’re not covered or stored away. In extreme cases, trampolines and deck chairs can become airborne and land in a neighbour’s yard or break a window. Winterising these items keeps these items safe, dry and clean until you’re ready to use them again.
What furniture or equipment needs to be protected?
This depends on how much outdoor living you do in the warmer months. You may spend most of your time in the pool or watching your kids bounce on the trampoline. Anything that can move, get damaged or cause injury during extreme weather conditions will benefit from winter storage. Below are some common items that should be protected during winter.
Store your outdoor furniture in winter
Even though outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the elements, it rarely survives more than a few winters – especially if it’s kept outdoors. That’s because temperature fluctuations can crack plastic chairs and expand wood. To avoid this, cover your outdoor dining set, swing chair or bench seat with a tarp, securing it with ties. If you want extra security, store it in your garage or a furniture storage unit. Either way, make sure it’s clean and dry before you do this to avoid the growth of mould and mildew.
Storing Motorcycles in winter
Few people ride their motorcycles in the cooler months. There’s little insulation from the cold or wind, and roads can be dangerous after rain. But leaving your motorcycle parked outside isn’t the best option during the winter months. While a cover might protect it for a short while, low temperatures and moisture will still cause rust and engine damage. If you want to keep your motorcycle in optimal condition during winter, consider motorcycle storage and follow these simple steps:
- Clean the bike thoroughly, including the tyres.
- Apply wax on the body for extra protection.
- Inflate the tyres.
- Drain the fuel tank (if storing for longer than three months) or add a stabiliser to prevent freezing.
- Change the engine oil as residual dirt can corrode your transmission gears and bearings.
- Remove the battery and keep it in a stable environment, or charge it frequently (fully charged batteries are more resistant to cold temperatures).
- Store it undercover, either in a garage, shed or temperature-controlled self-storage unit.
Pool equipment storage in winter
Most inground pools have covers to protect them in winter. But what do you do with cleaners, hoses and inflatable toys? Unless you want to watch them blow around your garden like leaves on a windy day, put them in your pool storage enclosure. If you don’t have enough space, put them in your garage or shed. All inflatable toys should be deflated and packed away. Rafts, slides and hoops should be dismantled and stored in your garage or self-storage unit. Cover them securely with a tarp so they don’t attract dust or pests.
Store your trampoline in winter
Trampolines provide hours of fun in the warmer months. But in winter they can lie abandoned in the garden and fill with leaves, dirt and bird droppings. In some cases – particularly if it’s windy – they can become airborne and land in someone else’s garden or window. To avoid this, use a tie-down kit or sandbags to anchor your trampoline. For added protection, put a fitted cover on top. Both measures will prevent damage and stop your springs from getting rusty. If you want even more protection, consider disassembling the trampoline and storing it in a garage or self-storage unit.
Storing Bicycles in winter
If you’re a cycling enthusiast, you may cycle all year round – irrespective of the weather. But most people only use their bikes during the warmer months. If you or your family are bunkering down for the winter, don’t leave your bikes outside. Not only can prolonged moisture cause rust, but high winds can blow them around and damage the body. Instead, clean your bikes thoroughly, deflate the tyres and cover them with a plastic sheet. Hang them from a hook in your garage or store them in a small self-storage unit.
BBQ storing during winter
An outdoor barbecue is used less frequently in winter, but that doesn’t mean you should leave it out in the cold. Use a BBQ cover to prevent grime, mould and rust. Also, make sure it’s resistant to water and UV rays. If you want added protection, store the BBQ undercover, either in a shed or self-storage unit. Whatever you do, make sure it’s clean and dry before storage – or you might get a nasty surprise later!
Find a storage specialist for winter
Whether you need storage in Melbourne or a solution for storage in Sydney, winterising your garden should be part of your yearly routine. As the weather cools down, take a look at your garden and decide what can be covered and what can be stored to prevent rust, damage or mould. If space is limited, a self-storage unit can keep your belongings safe and clean until you’re ready to use them again. For more advice on seasonal storage, check out Why You Need Self-Storage During the Festive Season or contact our friendly staff for a free quote.
