Much like the garage, your attic is a perfect storage black hole —
things often get put up there, never-to-return. But if you've spent years
packing bits and bobs in the space above your house without much thought, you
might want to reconsider.
Most attic spaces are subject to extremes of temperature and fluctuating
humidity, which make them an unsuitable place to store certain
things. It's time to pull down the ladder and have a dig around
at what's up there. Here's our list of things you shouldn't store in your
attic.
1. Old tech
VCRs, TVs, smartphones, laptops and games consoles - any delicate
electronics - shouldn’t be kept where there are big fluctuations in temperature
and high humidity levels such as an attic. Moisture can easily collect inside
and damage them. If you no longer need them, consider selling on
eBay instead of storing.
2. Photographs or
picture albums
Your recent memories may all be in digital format but how sad would it
be if old family or wedding albums, slides or negatives got damaged from
exposure to excessive heat and cold? Remember, wherever you do store them, it
needs to be away from direct sunlight so they don’t fade.
3. Books
If you are a bookworm, it’s an insect called silverfish that you need to
worry about. They love to nibble on starchy substances, such as wallpaper or
the glue in book bindings - and they are often found in attics. Books stored in
the attic can also get damp and if they do, mould and mildew can grow and cause
damage.
4. Paper
If you have papers that need to be preserved, like tax return
information and birth/marriage certificates, don’t shove them in the attic.
These things should ideally be stored in a fireproof safe or filing cabinet in
the house itself.
5. Video and Audio
Tapes
Due to age related deterioration, if you have old family video tapes, or
archives of your precious reel to reels, lps and cassettes stored in the attic,
these should immediately be removed and housed in a stable environment, before
the damage is irreparable. Binder deterioration is fast becoming a major
issue in the archive world and one that we must highlight to clients.
Kind Regards
Cheryl
Cheryl-Lee
Foulsham
Director
Oxford
Duplication Centre
Corporate,
Heritage and Consumer Digitisation
T: 01865
457000
Open Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8-4pm, Friday 8-3pm
www.oxfordduplicationcentre.com
cheryl@oxfordduplicationcentre.com
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