If you have some tires you need to store for a long time, don't just throw them in the garage and hope to find them in a good condition after some months. Prepare and store the tires properly so that they don't get damaged in storage. Here are a few helpful measures to take:

Clean and Dry Them

Unless the tires are brand new, you need to clean and dry them thoroughly before storage. First, examine the tires for little stones that may have jammed between the treads, and remove them. Leaving the stones between the tread blocks will stretch them and interfere with the elasticity of the rubber.Next, wash the tires (soap and water will do)to get rid of the brake dust, oils, fuels and other grime that may accelerate rubber deterioration in storage. Wipe the tires dry when done.

Mind Dangerous Gases and Chemicals

Any chemical or gas that accelerates the deterioration of rubber is bad for your tires. Examples of these chemicals or gases include ozone, which is emitted by electric machinery such as welding machinesand gasoline or lubricant vapors. These are just a few examples of things that contribute to tire deterioration; its best to err on the side of caution and keep your tires away from all chemicals and their fumes.

Store the Tires Upright

Ideally, tires should be stored upright. Tires are designed to handle considerable weight in that position (after all, that is how they can support the weight of your car). Storing them on their sides increases the risks of their deformation. If you must store tires on their sides, take care not to stack more than three tires.

Mind the Storage Temperature

Apart from chemicals, heat is another thing that can accelerate your tires' deterioration. High temperatures break the rubber components of the tire into their individual components and cause the evaporation of chemicals that make tires flexible. The result is a condition known as tire dry rot, which is characterized by hard and brittle surfaces of the tire, as well as cracks on the tire surface.

As you can see, it's difficult to realize most of these tire storage conditions in a garage or a basement, which is why your house isn't ideal for long-term storage of tires. Leaving your tires outdoors also expose them to different weather elements, which will also damage the tires. Therefore, a climate-controlled storage facility is the best option for storing your tires. For more information, contact companies like Millville Self Storage.

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