7 Things Contractors Would Never Store in the Garage (and Neither Should You)

While your garage may seem like a safe place to store most items, the lack of climate-control, significant temperature fluctuations, and changes in the level of humidity can make it damaging to some things.

We asked contractors which common items they would never store in the garage.

Batteries

Batteries are one of the most common items that people think of when avoiding garage storage due to the vulnerabilities batteries have to extreme temperatures and humidity.

“Battery-powered equipment with lithium-ion batteries do not fare well for temperature changes, with heat being a possible cause for battery degradation,” says Robert O’Sullivan, roofing and siding contractor.

Too much heat can cause batteries to become unstable, making them dangerous to use, while exposure to extreme or continuous cold temperatures can degrade the batteries, reducing the battery life and charging capabilities.

Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!

Laser Levels and Laser Distance Measurers

When it comes to the garage Jeri Goodkin-Dausey, general contractor and CEO at SBC, says you should avoid storing “precision power tools like, laser levels, finish nailers, high-end cordless drills, as well as measurement and calibration instruments that require exact tolerances.”

Changes to the humidity inside the garage can have a significant impact on the accuracy and measuring capabilities of laser levels and laser distance measurers, leading to mistakes in your DIY projects.

Freezing temperatures or extreme heat can throw off the accuracy of these devices, resulting in poor measurements that can compromise an entire project.

Adhesives and Solvent Cleaners

Generally, any items that do poorly with rapid temperature changes or significantly high or low humidity will suffer in the garage. This includes adhesives, caulk, and paint, which can separate or degrade when exposed to these conditions for any extended period of time, reducing or completely ruining their effectiveness for future projects.

O’Sullivan says that “solvent cleaners produce flammable vapors that sparks in the garage can ignite,” while, Goodkin-Dausey add that “paints, sealants, or adhesives that are temperature-sensitive should not be stored in the garage.”

Flooring

Most flooring products, especially hardwood and laminate tile, require time in the environment where they will be installed to acclimate to the conditions.

Beyond the need to acclimate these materials, storing them in the garage can also cause irreparable damage, which will force you to spend more on replacement materials.

Roofing Materials

It may be surprising that materials made to withstand the outdoors should be kept out of the garage, but O’Sullivan says that “asphalt shingles become warped by the heat from the garage, and wood shakes hold water and promote mold, while metal roof panels cause rust brought on by condensation in non-ventilated garages.”

The main difference between the heat and moisture roofing materials experience outdoors and what they may be exposed to in a garage is ventilation.

When these materials are installed on the roof, they are separated, mounted, and provided enough exposure to the open air for moisture, humidity, and heat to dissipate, but in an enclosed garage, these materials are often stored in stacks or piles, and lack the same access to necessary airflow and proper ventilation to preserve their condition.

Propane Cylinders

It’s never a good idea to keep any items that are under pressure in your garage. Heat can build up, the contents of the tanks to expand, leading to potential explosions or ruptures.

Propane cylinders, commonly used for both plumbing and gas-fitting, should be stored in a safe location.

“Climate-controlled material/tool storage, ventilated chemical sheds, and secured outside storage rooms for acetylene cylinders are the preferred options for contractors,” O’Sullivan says. “They protect against damage, ensure safety, and satisfy OSHA regulations.”

Cabinetry

Similar to flooring, cabinetry generally needs time to properly acclimate in the environment where the cabinetry will be mounted, so that the wood can expand or shrink to the proper proportions before it is installed.

Since cabinetry is so sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, it’s not a good idea to keep it stored in the garage unless you have put the work in to create a climate-controlled and ventilated space.

“A climate-controlled workshop, interior utility room, or dedicated contractor storage unit with stable temperature and humidity is a far better environment for preserving the longevity, accuracy, and safety of these materials and tools,” Goodkin-Dausey says.