A snowblower can be a great investment and it’s your responsibility to take care of that asset. But it often only serves its purpose during the winter. So how can you store your snowblower when you’re not using it? We researched the solution for you and here’s what we found.
Don’t leave your snowblower unprotected in your garage. Instead, follow these steps to put away the machine during the off-season:
- Drain the fuel tank
- Conduct a final maintenance
- Clean the snowblower
- Place a cover over the snowblower
Preparing a snowblower for storage in a garage might look like a relatively straightforward task. But miss some important details and you might put it at risk of being harmed. Continue reading as we talk about these snowblower storage preparation steps in greater detail.
How Can I Store My Snowblower In My Garage?
Proper storage for a snowblower may extend its lifespan beyond its average serviceable life of about 15 to 25 years. Some users reported that taking proper care of their snowblowers allows these machines to work for over 40 years.
So follow these steps to ensure that you properly store and take care of your snowblower while it’s in the garage:
Step #1: Drain the Fuel Tank
Take note that leaving the leftover fuel in the snowblower’s gas tank while it’s in storage can promote water and gunk buildup. Doing so may also shorten the machine’s serviceable life. So the first step to storing your snowblower is to drain the fuel from its tank, and here’s how you can complete this step:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Turn on the snowblower until it stops because of low gasoline.
- Place a pan underneath the snowblower’s fuel line.
- Use the pliers to slide and remove the retaining clip from the fuel line.
- Drain the leftover gas to the pan and reseal the fuel line.
Watch the video below to see the steps mentioned above in action:
Step #2: Conduct A Final Maintenance
After draining the leftover gas in the fuel tank, you need to ensure that the snowblower is still in good working condition before storing it in the garage. Different routine care options are available for you to try with your snow-blowing machine, including (but aren't limited to):
- Repair or replace the belts
- Remove rust and corrosion buildup on the spark plugs
- Replace the spark plugs if it has significant corrosion buildup
- Make sure that all parts have sufficient lubrication
- Treat the fuel line with ethanol
Don’t forget to watch this video to learn important details on how to do some of these snowblower care practices:
Step #3: Clean The Snowblower
Use a clean cloth dipped in a soapy yet reasonably mild liquid detergent solution to wipe loose dirt off of the snowblower. But you may also need to remove filth from its carburetor. If so, follow these steps to help you complete this task:
What You’ll Need
- Deep-socket wrench
- Rust remover
- Motor treatment solution
Step-by-Step Guide
- Locate and remove the spark plug on the snowblower with a deep-socket wrench.
- Apply a rust-removing solution to the spark plug if it has some rust buildup.
- Reinstall the spark plug into the snowblower.
- Put in motor treatment solution and mix it with an appropriate amount of gas in the snowblower’s fuel tank. Ensure to follow the product’s instructions for this step.
- Let the mixture sit in the tank overnight.
- Turn on the snowblower to the fastest speed until it runs out of gas.
Check out this motor treatment solution on Amazon.
The video below will also give you a visual representation of the steps mentioned above:
You can also watch the video below for some alternate steps to help you store your snowblower in the garage for summer:
Step #4: Place A Cover Over The Snowblower
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a snowblower is impervious to harm while you stored in it your garage. For instance, your property might be in a location with a relatively wet climate. If so, water might get into your garage, which might potentially damage your unprotected snowblower.
Secure your snowblower in your garage by draping it with a reliable cover. You’ll find suitable choices in a later section of this post.
Can A Snowblower Be Left Outside In Winter?
You may leave your snowblower outside in the winter, but make sure that you cover it with quality material. However, it may also not be a good idea to store the machine outdoors if you live in an area where snow can pile up significantly.
Can You Store A Snowblower In The Basement?
It depends on the type of snowblower you own. You may store an electric snowblower in your home’s basement. But it’s generally not a good idea to stow a gas-powered snowblower in that space.
Any gas-powered device, particularly a snowblower, left in the basement for extended periods can put household members and guests to unconsciously breathe off-gassing. It's a vapor that's typically thicker than air and can promote serious health concerns.
What's The Best Value Snowblower Cover?
It’s important to note that not every cover on the market can provide the same benefit to all snowblowers. Instead, it’s ideal to think about certain factors that can help you gain the best value from the snowblower cover you buy. Some of these things to ponder upon are:
- Size
- Material
- Quality
- Price
- Warranty
Still, some choices often stand above the rest because of their quality features and supplied value to their users. These options include:
1. Classic Accessories Snowblower Cover
This fabric can be a great choice for storing a snowblower in a garage and other spaces. Made with a waterproof material, this product doesn’t shrink if it becomes wet. It should also be reasonably easy to install and remove, delivering optimal convenience to its users.
Check out this product on Amazon.
2. Ariens 726015 Large Snowblower Cover
Users of this snowblower cover should expect this product to last longer than many of its competitors. Although it feels soft, it’s also reasonably flexible and conforms well to the shape of the different snowblowers.
Check out this product on Amazon.
3. Husqvarna 582846301 Heavy-Duty Snowblower Cover
Despite being slightly more expensive than other covers, it’s a weather-resistant model that does fairly well against the elements like sun, rain, and snow. It also comes with an elastic cord to ensure the material covers the machine securely.
Check out this product on Amazon.
4. Tough Cover 600D Heavy-Duty Snowblower Cover
Another heavy-duty cover to help secure snowblowers while in storage is this model. Made with a tough marine-grade fabric, it can prevent harm coming from the different weather to covered snowblowers. The package also comes with a durable storage bag and a limited manufacturer’s warranty.
Check out this product on Amazon.
Final Words
Snowblower owners shouldn’t store these snow-blowing machines in their garages improperly. Make sure to clean and maintain snowblowers before putting them away for the off-season. A high risk of harm can still be apparent if these machines remain unprotected while in garages in seasons other than winter.
If you like this post and would want to know other ways to store items in your garage, check out these other great reads:
