As the UK braces for a heatwave with temperatures expected to exceed 34°C on Wednesday, homeowners are being urged to remove paint tins from garages, sheds, and lofts to prevent damage. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued red heat health warnings for several regions, including the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England.
Why Paint Tins Are at Risk
According to Ryan Gorenflo, a specialist at The Basement Doctor, leftover paint is one of the first items Brits should relocate from hot garages and sheds during extreme summer conditions. He explains that garages can become significantly hotter than the rest of the property, acting as heat traps due to poor insulation and ventilation.
"Paint is one of the most common items people leave in garages, sheds and lofts, but it does not cope well with extreme heat or big temperature changes," Gorenflo said. "If paint is stored somewhere too hot, it can separate, thicken, dry out around the edges or become much harder to use later. By the time you open the tin for a simple touch-up, it may already be ruined."
Other Items to Move
Paint is not the only item at risk. Aerosol cans, batteries, electronics, candles, family photographs, important documents, cleaning products, cardboard boxes, and soft furnishings can all deteriorate in high-heat or humid conditions. Gorenflo advises treating the garage as a "storage risk zone" during a heatwave.
"The heatwave is a good reminder to treat the garage like a storage risk zone. If you have not looked through it for months, now is the time to check what is actually being kept in there," he added.
Tips for Safe Storage
Leftover paint should be kept sealed, upright, and stored somewhere cool and dry, away from direct heat. If the tin feels hot to the touch or has been sitting in direct sunlight, it should be moved immediately. Avoid storing items near windows, in direct sunlight, against hot walls, or inside metal cabinets.
