A new space for storage in your home part deux

Posted on May 17, 2012 in General, Loft Conversions & Extensions in London, Safety Advice by APNM 0 Comments

In a previous blog Modern Attics gave you some easy-to-follow advice on safely dealing with your attic items before and after your attic conversion has been carried out. To continue on from where we left off we will now look at the major considerations for attic storage (whether you are getting an attic conversion or not).

Assess potential problems by evaluating your attic space:

• Roof leaks – believe it or not but roof leaks are often neglected because the cost of repairing them is considered too big. The problem is they will cost you further down the road if left in disrepair. So how can you tell if your roof is leaking? It might not be obvious at first glance so you have to check for the signs. Check for stains on the ceiling(s) beneath the attic for stains or damp patches. This is usually the best way to be sure of a roof leak. Just a small leak can lead to huge problems. If anything the items you are storing in your attic can get extremely damaged by leaks.

• Climate – for insulated homes that have been well maintained there shouldn’t be too many problems. However, if the home has not been insulated appropriately and has not had its climate adjusted accordingly, this can create the wrong environment for temperature sensitive items and create cold, damp and humid conditions. Humidity differences and variations can destroy books and fabrics that are left unprotected or unsealed.

• Floor framing and roof framing – these two elements are key to determining strength, space and storage capacity.

So if you have checked all these off your list and everything is okay, move forward into organising your stored furniture and accumulated belongings.

In the previous blog we talked about using other spaces for storage so that your attic could be converted without clutter. What we didn’t discuss is what you should NOT store in your attic unless you have had it converted successfully:

• Obviously, safety first; avoid storing anything in your attic that could be considered a fire hazard or have the potential to cause a fire. Papers, flammable materials, ignition liquids etc.

• Leaving food up there is also a no-no. Unless you have a fridge/freezer connected (even this is not recommended) there should be no need to keep food in the attic – this can lead to all kinds of problems including attracting insects and animals if the food has not been stored properly.

• Any kind of storage media and electronic devices will not survive damp or dusty conditions very well. For instance; that old VCR that you haven’t used for the better part of a decade, try rolling it out and starting it up; chances are it’s not old age that’s killed it but the conditions it’s been kept in.

• Perishables such as paintings, musical instruments (from wood to brass), expensive jewellery or clothing. These are common items to be found up in attics but ultimately will end up being inevitably ruined if left to the dust mites.

• Heavy loads – if you haven’t had an attic conversion carried out extremely heavy loads could cause collapse in the attic infrastructure so please be careful.

• Avoid paints, solvents and chemicals – they give off poisonous fumes and in small spaces can prove deadly.

You can safely store things like ceramic, glass and metal based items as long as they are appropriately covered or packed away. Just be sure that everything is appropriately insulated and organised in an orderly and safe way.