Temperatures are expected to exceed 34C on Wednesday in parts of the UK, with red weather warnings in place for southern England on Wednesday and Thursday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued red heat health warnings covering the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England. Amid the scorching conditions, homeowners are being urged to check their garages, sheds, and lofts, as one common stored item—paint tins—could be ruined by soaring temperatures.
Why Paint Tins Are at Risk
According to Ryan Gorenflo, an expert at The Basement Doctor, leftover paint is one of the first things Brits should move out of hot garages and sheds during extreme summer weather. He warns that many people treat garages as safe storage spaces, without realising they can become much hotter than the rest of the home during a heatwave.
Ryan said: “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. 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.”
Garages Can Become Heat Traps
Garages, sheds, and lofts are often poorly insulated and badly ventilated, meaning they can heat up quickly during the day and stay warm for hours. That can be a problem for items designed to be stored in cooler, dry, stable conditions.
Ryan explained: “A garage can become a heat trap during a heatwave. People often think of it as an extension of the home, but it usually does not have the same temperature control, airflow or insulation as a living space. That means items sitting on shelves, floors or in cupboards can be exposed to much harsher conditions than people realise.”
He says the problem is worse when items are stored near windows, in direct sunlight, against hot walls, or inside metal cabinets. Ryan added: “If the tin feels hot to the touch, or it has been sitting in direct sun inside a shed or garage, that is a sign it should be moved. Leftover paint should be kept sealed, upright and stored somewhere cool and dry, away from direct heat.”
Other Items Vulnerable to Heat
While paint tins are the main item homeowners should check, Ryan says they are not the only things that can be damaged in a hot garage. Aerosol cans, batteries, electronics, candles, family photos, important documents, cleaning products, cardboard boxes, and soft furnishings can all suffer in high-heat or humid conditions.
Ryan said: “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. Some items can be ruined by heat, some can be damaged by humidity, and some simply should not be kept in spaces that get extremely hot.”
