With winter in full swing in Delaware, many homeowners may be looking to do some maintenance on their lawn equipment before spring comes around. Maintaining your equipment during the winter is vital as the harsh weather conditions can deteriorate your equipment faster. Maintenance during the winter will increase your equipment’s lifespan, ensuring it is usable when the weather warms up. Here is how to maintain common shed equipment in the winter to prevent costly maintenance fixes in the spring.
General Maintenance Tips
Make Sure Everything is Clean and Dry
First and foremost, you need to clean your equipment thoroughly. Clean away any dirt or debris on the equipment with soap and water, then rinse completely and let it fully dry. It is important to make sure the equipment is fully clean and dry before storing it back in the shed. If there are any corrosive materials still on them, it can make the metal parts on the equipment rust during the winter.
Check If Repairs Are Needed
When cleaning your equipment, inspect them for any loose screws or damages that need to be repaired. Oftentimes salt on the road from snowfall can cause metal parts to corrode. Prevent these parts from needing costly repairs by lubricating them with oil during the winter. Winter is the best time to do inspections and repairs so that your equipment is ready for you to use in the spring.
Make Sure the Shed is Fully Sealed
At Space Makers Sheds, we build our structures with high-quality materials that will not require as much maintenance. However, after some general wear and tear, over time some cracks and holes can form in the shed that will need to be repaired. Seal up any cracks or holes in the shed with caulk to ensure that no unwanted drafts or moisture get inside and damage your belongings.
Check Batteries and Gas Tanks
Batteries
Cold weather can heavily reduce battery capacity, even causing them to die if they are left unused all winter. If you are planning to use any battery-powered equipment during the winter, regularly check the battery life to make sure they are still working. If you are not using the equipment, take the batteries out and store them in a warmer place in your house. The temperature we recommend storing batteries in is at least 59° Fahrenheit.
Gas Tanks
Gas can deteriorate as early as 30 days after its last use, especially if there are low gas levels in the tank. Condensation can form inside gas tanks causing the gas and the engine to freeze. Keep the gas tank full during the winter, as it will give less room for condensation to form preventing the gas from freezing. If you empty it, the tank and even the carburetors can corrode, rendering them useless. To ensure your full gas tanks will be usable for spring, add fuel stabilizers to your gas to extend its life. Stabilizers will make your gas work for up to 24 months, making them perfect solutions for storing gas in the winter.
Maintaining Common Shed Equipment
Lawnmowers
Exterior
To prepare a lawnmower for spring, there are a few things you need to do. First, clean the outside of any grass clippings or dirt found on the mower. You will also have to clean and sharpen the blades, which we recommend doing once a year. Damaged blades should be replaced for safety reasons. Any exposed metal parts of the lawnmower, including the blades, should be lubricated with oil during the winter to prevent them from rusting.
Interior
Once the outside of the lawnmower is clean and prepped, prepare the inside. During the winter, leftover oil can corrode the mower’s engine. Change the oil once a year to ensure it is clean, and make sure all internal parts of the mower are coated in the new oil. Run the lawnmower for a few minutes to coat all the parts. To further protect the engine, add fuel stabilizers to the gas tank to ensure it doesn’t freeze during the winter and damage your engine. Finally, replace any spark plugs and air filters to expand the lifespan of your lawnmower.
To ensure you are maintaining your lawnmower correctly, address the owner’s manual. For added protection, we’ve found that storing the lawnmower in a dry location in the shed prevents unwanted moisture from getting in it.
Gardening Tools
There are a few gardening equipment that need maintenance during the winter, including handheld tools and garden hoses.
Handheld Tools
For tools, first, clean them with a stiff-bristled brush to get any mud or rust off them. Then you will have to sharpen any tools used for cutting or digging to ensure they are usable for spring. To prevent rust from forming on the metal, use a rag with oil on it to lubricate the tools. If the tools have wooden handles, check them for cracks and splinters. You can use a piece of sandpaper to smooth down the edges, then treat the handles with linseed oil to prevent them from splintering further.
Garden Hoses
Finally, check your garden hoses for any leaks then mend them with repair tape or electrical tape. Hoses should be fully drained then rolled up and laid flat for storage.
Outdoor Furniture
Cleaning
When storing outdoor furniture for the winter, you first need to clean the furniture thoroughly. Use mild soap and water with a sponge to clean all dirt off the furniture, or use baking soda for tougher stains. Then rinse it down completely and let it completely dry before storing it. If you use cushions for your furniture, we recommend you also clean those and store them in your shed.
Storing
Store your furniture and cushions out of the way, like in a loft. Space Makers Sheds’ structures have the option of coming with a loft for extra storage space, especially for items you want out of the way. Storing your furniture properly will prolong its lifespan and maintain its visual appeal. Remember to periodically check on the furniture throughout the winter season to see if there is any moisture buildup, mold, or pest damage that needs taken care of.
Space Makers Sheds’ structures are built to withstand Delaware’s extreme cold temperatures, high winds, and heavy snowfall, ensuring your belongings inside are protected. Our high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship make our structures durable throughout all seasons. If you’re looking to find a new storage shed to protect all your lawn equipment, check out our in-stock inventory or design a custom shed fit for your needs. Contact us today to get started!