Did you finally watch Marie Kondo and now decided to clean out your attic and get rid of things that just don’t spark joy anymore? If the answer is yes, there are some things you need to keep in mind when decluttering your attic, mainly organizing around your furnace. Here are some tips for decluttering and organizing your attic efficiently while also keeping your furnace working safely.
Assess the Attic Situation
When you’re ready to start your attic organization, the first thing you need to do is assess the situation. Where will everything go? How much floor space is there? How will you access the boxes? Is there enough room for boxes to be stacked up, or will they need to be arranged on shelves?
If you have limited space in your home and might have to store items elsewhere, make sure you have a plan before decluttering your attic. And don’t forget any future furnace maintenance. You’ll need to allot enough space for the furnace, and an HVAC technician, to do their jobs.
Remove Everything from the Attic and Clean the Space
Pests like bugs and mice can get into attics through small holes or cracks in the walls or ceiling that are not properly sealed. These critters make nests out of insulation, which they use to raise their young. This not only causes damage to insulation but also contaminates anything in the surrounding area with urine and feces. A clean attic helps deter pests and will help you see them quicker and, if need be, take faster action.
Declutter and Sort
When thinking about attic storage, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not a transparent bin. But these bins are great for storing your attic’s contents. When used in place of traditional bags or boxes, they make it much easier to find what you need.
See-through bins make it much easier to find what you need quickly than digging through boxes. You can also stack them on top of each other so that everything is organized and easy to access.
When storing boxes, don’t forget to label them. You can use a marker or a label maker, but make sure you write down everything you packed in the box. It’ll make life easier when searching!
Put up Shelves
Shelving comes in many different sizes, shapes, and materials. For example, you can get shelving that fits directly into your ceiling joists or use brackets to attach it to walls.
If you’re storing lighter items such as books or decorations, then shelf paper may not be necessary. However, if you’re storing heavier items, then shelf paper will help protect your belongings from getting damaged by moisture and dust.
Don’t forget to measure the space first. You don’t want to buy something that doesn’t fit in your attic. Measure the length and width of each wall and the distance between them. This will allow you to figure out how many shelves you need and where they should go to be most efficient with their use of space on the walls.
What Not to Store in the Attic or Furnace Room
Not everything is suitable for attic or furnace room storage.
Electronics
Even if they’re wrapped in plastic, there’s still a risk of condensation forming on the devices and causing damage. Dust can also get into gadgets, causing them to overheat when used.
Delicate fabrics
If you keep any delicate fabrics in your attic, ensure they’re well protected from the elements. Moths and insects can cause irreparable damage. Too much heat might also lead to discoloration or brittleness.
Important papers
Old documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses could easily get damaged by dampness or pests. So, keep these in a safe instead.
Food
Keeping foodstuffs like flour and sugar in storage might seem sensible, but these can attract pests if not stored correctly in air-tight containers.
Paint and flammables
If your furnace is in your attic, remove all flammables. If it can cause a fire risk, it needs to be kept well clear of your furnace.
Don’t Forget Safety Measures
If you keep your furnace in the attic, there are a few safety measures you should take.
Firstly, keep everything at least 30 inches away from your furnace to ensure the heat doesn’t damage the items. Space will also allow proper airflow around the furnace and prevent the unit from overheating.
Secondly, storing combustibles near the furnace is a huge no-no. Furnaces can get hot, especially if kept in an attic. You need to keep all flammables and paper well away from the unit.
Lastly, make sure that you don’t put anything on top of your heat exchanger (the part that transfers heat from the air to your home). This includes anything that can get damaged by heat. Also, ensure not to store items near any vents if possible.
Need to book furnace maintenance? Contact the pros at JW Plumbing, Heating and Air and sleep easy, knowing your furnace is in a safe condition.
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