Most people realize how bulky drum kits are when they can’t use them. When the time comes to store them away, you may be wondering where the safest place will be.
Many people have outside garages and sheds that are used as storehouses. That sounds like the perfect place to put a drum kit, right? Not entirely.
We’re going to explain why storing drums in a garage isn’t the best idea, but we’re also going to give you a few tips for doing it if you have no other choice.
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Storing Drums in a Garage or Shed
The bottom line is that storing your drums in a garage or shed can damage them over time. This is especially true if you leave them there for a long time without giving them any TLC. Many people end up doing this, and then they wonder why their drum sets are so banged up.
If you can, you should store your drums somewhere in your house, like under a staircase or in a spare bedroom. Your house gets a lot more airflow, and everything is likely to be a lot more protected than in a garage or shed.
However, not everyone has the luxury of storing their drums inside. If you have to use the garage, you can store your drums in a way that will preserve their quality as much as possible.
Here is everything that you need to know about storing drums in garages or sheds.
Things to Note When Storing Drums
Drum and Hardware Cases
Before worrying about anything inside a garage or shed, you should do your best to protect the drum shells, cymbals, and hardware before they enter storage. The best way to do this is by getting drum and hardware cases.
You can get soft bags for them as well, but hard cases are always the better option when it comes to storing drums for extended periods.
You should get a cymbal bag as well, and it should be padded enough to protect all your cymbals resting inside it.
If you store your drum kit without putting all the components in bags, the quality will degrade a lot quickerwhen it sits in a garage or shed.
Temperature
Temperature is one of the biggest things to worry about if you live in an area where the weather fluctuates. Garages and sheds typically aren’t controlled in this area, so the constant temperature changes will affect your drums.
One of the most noticeable things that happen is drumheads expanding and contracting. This pushes your drums out of tune. It’s not a huge deal, though, as you can just tune them again.
The problem that can’t be fixed easily is your drum shells warping. Extreme temperature changes will cause your drum shells to lose their shape, and this happens over a long period.
So, make sure that you’re controlling the temperature in the room if you plan on storing your drums there.
Pests
Pests are a lot more commonly found in garages than they are in houses or controlled environments. Even if you have your drums in bags or cases, pests can make their way inside and damage the wooden shells.
It’s not uncommon for people to find nests inside their hardware bags. These things have the potential to cause permanent damage to your gear, so you need to do your best to keep them out of your garage.
The best way to do this is by keeping it clean. Doing a regular garage or shed clean will help you see if there are any pests to worry about as well.
Humidity
Humidity most goes together with temperature, but it can be bad for your drums even if the humidity levels don’t fluctuate.
If the humidity in the garage or shed is too low, the wooden shells can dry out and splinter. If it’s too high, it can cause them to warp.
High humidity will also corrode your cymbals a lot quicker than normal. If you ever wonder why your cymbals are turning green, it’s most likely due to high humidity levels in your area (so you’ll want to stay on top of cleaning them).
High humidity is a lot more common than low humidity in garages, so just keep that in mind. You could get a dehumidifier to keep your stored drums safe.
Flooring
Most garages have concrete floors. When your drums are resting on these floors, moisture can get to them a lot easier.
So, make sure that you’re placing all your drum bags and cases on covered flooring. If you have a drum rug, put everything on that. If you don’t have anything, go get a cheap blanket to lay under the cases.
You should also place the drums away from a window, as direct sunlight can also cause damage over time.
Dust
The final thing to worry about in a garage and shed is dust. It’s a good idea to take a damp cloth and wipe the cases down regularly. Open the cases and wipe the drums down if you see that any dust got through to them.
Most garages are dusty. It’s just what ends up happening when you don’t go in there a lot. Just know that the dust is another cause for concern if there is too much of it getting to your drums.
Dust can get into acoustic drum hardware and cause the mechanisms to stop working well.
What About Electronic Drums?
You should treat electronic drums in the same way that you treat acoustic drums when you’re storing them in a garage or shed. However, you should be even more cautious about the drum module and the cables.
Excessive dust and temperature changes can often lead to malfunctions with the internal wiring, so make sure to place the electronic components in a very safe a secure spot that is covered.
You don’t get dedicated bags for electronic drum pads as you do for drum shells, so you should just find bags that fit them. You can still use the same hardware bag, though.
Final Thoughts on Storing Drums in a Garage or Shed
If you want your drums to stay as safe as possible, it’s better to avoid storing them in a garage or shed. If that’s not possible, follow all the tips that we gave here closely.
Regularly check on your drums and give them a quick wipe with a damp cloth. If you constantly do that, they should be okay until you’re ready to set them up again.