How To Safely Store Items In Your Attic and Basement
As the summer months approach, you may be thinking about freeing up some extra space around your home and moving storage into your attic or basement. After all, the space is there so why not use it? Before you go loading boxes into your attic and basement, take a second to think about what is in those boxes and how you’re storing them. If you’re not careful, you may just ruin those items entirely! Attics and basements are the parts of our homes that see the most change. Attics get hot in the summer and cold in the winter, while basements are susceptible to moisture and water damage. Not to mention the pests that could be hiding away in both! We don’t want to see your belongings get melted, soaked or chewed on. So, we wanted to take the time to teach you how to properly store items in your attic and basement, as well as educate you on what items should and shouldn’t go in these places. So round up your belongings, grab some containers and let’s get to storing!
What You Should (And Shouldn’t) Store In Your Attic and Basement
When stored correctly, there are a few items that will be safe in your attic and basement. However, there are also plenty of things you should never store there.
Items that are safe to store
As we mentioned earlier, attics and basements experience harsher elements than the inside of our homes do. With that being said, you want to be sure you are storing items that can withstand different temperatures and elements. Items that you can store in your attic and basement are:
- Unused pots and pans
- Ceramic dishes
- Luggage
- Seasonal decorations
- Items that are not as important or aren’t used as frequently
These belongings will be safe in your attic and basement, as long as you store them properly.
Do not store these items
Even with proper storage, there are some items that won’t be able to withstand the changing temperatures or moisture in your attic and basement. Refrain from storing these belongings in your attic and basement:
- Photographs
- Food
- Fabrics (clothes, bedding, etc.)
- Wooden furniture
- Cardboard boxes
- Paper documents and books
- Flammable materials
Not only are these items likely to be damaged in your attic and basement, but they may also attract pests like silverfish, termites, cockroaches, mice, and squirrels. Unfortunately, your attic and basement are typically “out of sight, out of mind” so if these items are ruined, or pests have infested either area, you probably won’t find out until you have a larger problem on your hands. This is why it’s so important to learn how to properly store and secure items in your basement and attic! So, here are three ways to protect the storage in your attic and basement:
3 Safe Ways To Store Items In Your Attic and Basement
1. Use Containers That Can Withstand Temperature Change
The one thing you don’t want to do is to store your belongings in a cardboard box. Plenty of pests will love to snack on cardboard, especially if it’s wet. Instead, use a clear plastic container to store items. We suggest using clear plastic containers so that you are able to see what’s inside. These containers are also stackable, making it easier to save space in your attic and basement. Get even more organized by labeling each container! That way, you will have an easier time finding what you need, when you need it. To protect your items, consider investing in sturdier, more reliable containers. They will keep your belongings safe, and a tighter seal will keep pests out.
2. Elevate Items In Your Basement
Since basements are more prone to moisture, you’re going to want to store your items off the ground in case of flooding or moisture damage. However, there are a few things you can do to protect your belongings and prevent water from making its way into your basement. Outside, make sure…
- Your gutters are clean and water is flowing through properly
- Water is being directed away from your home, rather than flowing towards it
- There are no foundational cracks allowing water to seep in
If you find that one or all of these are issues around your home, we recommend contacting a specialist to check for and repair potential water damage. If not treated quickly, water damage can turn into a mold nightmare, so don’t hesitate to call!
3. Insulate Your Attic
Insulating your attic is more than just preventing heat from escaping from your home. Insulation also helps with moisture and pest control. When your attic is properly insulated, you’re not only protecting your belongings, but your home as well. Here at Killingsworth, we use TAP Pest Control Insulation which is good for the environment and your home. TAP Insulation is made out of recycled material that is proven to control pests—which is exactly what you need when it comes to attic storage!
Protect Your Belongings—Invest In Killingsworth
You can’t control the weather, especially in the Carolinas. You can, however, control how you protect your home and belongings. If you’re planning to maximize your attic or basement for extra storage, you need to make sure your home is protected. After all, when you protect your home, you’re able to protect everything inside of it as well—including the storage in your attic and basement. Our team of experts can check for moisture in your basement that may threaten your belongings. If we find moisture (or even worse, mold) we can treat it quickly, all while protecting your basement from future damage. In your attic, we can install new insulation, which will maintain the heat levels in your home, reduce sound contamination, protect against pests and prevent moisture damage—did we mention attic mold is a thing? No one wants to store items in their attic and basement only for them to be destroyed by weather, moisture or pests. Let us help you protect your home and your belongings! Reach out to us to schedule an in-home inspection. Let’s work together to make sure your attic and basement stay in tip-top shape, all year long.
