Patio heater storage in Exeter
Professional patio heater storage services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Patio heater disconnected safely, cleaned down, and stored properly for winter. Gas disconnected correctly, everything protected from weather, ready to go again next spring without dramas.
Don't Ruin a £200 Heater to Save £60
You could leave your patio heater outside all winter. You'll save an hour now and spend £200 on a new one in April when the regulator's perished and the burner's full of rust and spiders.
💡 Pro tip: The gas regulator is what kills outdoor-stored heaters. The rubber seals perish in freezing weather and UV, then leak when you reconnect them. A new regulator is £20-30 if you can find the right one, or it's binned and buy new time.
Why Proper Storage Matters
Here's what separates a heater that works for years from one that's scrap after one winter:
| ✅ Stored Properly | ❌ Left Outside |
|---|---|
| Gas safely disconnected | Regulator perished and leaking |
| Clean and dry | Corroded, rusty, seized |
| Under cover | Full of spiders and nests |
| Ready to use next year | Bin it and buy new |
What You Get
🏠 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Disconnect | Gas regulator removed properly, bottle valve closed |
| Clean | Wiped down, debris removed, checked for damage |
| Prepare | Pole sections separated if needed for compact storage |
| Store | Moved to your chosen storage location |
📦 You're Left With
- Heater safely stored for winter
- Gas bottle properly disconnected
- Protected from weather damage
- Ready to go next spring
Pricing Guide
| Storage Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard gas patio heater | 30 mins | £60 |
| Large or wall-mounted heater | 45 mins | £60 |
| Multiple heaters same visit | Add 20 mins each | +£25 each |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Quicker than setup since we're just disconnecting and storing.
Perfect For Your Garden If...
✅ No covered storage outside - shed, garage, or conservatory storage
✅ Quality heater worth protecting - expensive ones deserve proper care
✅ Want it working next year - not buying another one
✅ Elderly or mobility issues - gas bottles are heavy and awkward
Why Choose Us for Patio heater storage in Exeter?
Gas safely disconnected
Cleaned before storage
Protected from winter weather
Ready to use next spring
What to Expect
Step 1: Safe Disconnection
I'll turn off the gas at the bottle, disconnect the regulator properly (they can be stiff), and check everything's sealed. The bottle gets its valve fully closed - not just turned off at the heater.
Step 2: Clean & Check
Quick clean down - wipe the reflector and pole, brush out the base area, check for any obvious damage that might need attention before next season. Not a full service but enough that it stores clean.
Step 3: Store Away
If you want it more compact, I can separate the pole sections (most are designed for this). Then move it to wherever you're storing it - shed, garage, under-stairs cupboard, wherever you've got space. Protected from weather and ready for next year.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to store your patio heater yourself? Here's how to do it properly:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Adjustable spanner (for gas regulator)
- Cloth and cleaning spray
- Brush for debris
- Cover or old sheet (optional)
- That's about it - simpler than setup
⛽ Disconnecting gas safely
- Turn off the heater and let it cool completely
- Turn off the gas at the bottle valve (clockwise)
- Try to light the heater - this burns off residual gas in the line
- When it won't light, turn everything off
- Unscrew the regulator from the bottle (anticlockwise)
- Check the rubber seal in the regulator - if it's cracked, replace it now
- Store regulator somewhere dry (not attached to bottle)
🧼 Cleaning before storage
- Wipe down all metal parts - removes corrosive residue
- Brush out the base and burner area
- Check for spider webs and nests - they love these things
- Let it dry fully if it's been wet
- Don't use harsh chemicals - just soapy water
📦 Storage tips
- Indoors is best - shed, garage, utility room
- If outdoors under cover, raise it off the ground (pallets work)
- Separate pole sections if you're tight on space
- Don't stack heavy things on top - bends the pole
- Store gas bottles upright in ventilated space
🔍 Pre-storage inspection
- Check the burner screen for damage
- Look for rust spots - treat now before they spread
- Test the ignition battery - replace if weak
- Check wheels aren't seized
- Note any issues to fix before next season
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not burning off residual gas before disconnecting (wastes gas)
- Storing with regulator attached (perishes faster)
- Leaving it outside under a cover (traps moisture)
- Storing horizontally (can damage internal parts)
- Forgetting where you put it (label the storage box!)
💡 Pro trick: Take a photo of how it all goes together before separating sections. Come spring, you'll thank yourself when you're reassembling it and can't remember which section goes where.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌸 Spring setup too? Most people who use the storage service book me for spring setup as well. I'll get it out, check it over, reconnect the gas with a new regulator seal if needed, and test everything. Much easier than discovering problems when guests are arriving.
Gas bottle storage? Should be outside or in a very well-ventilated space, upright, away from ignition sources. In practice most people keep them in the shed and it's fine - just not near your boiler or electrical panel.
Cover needed? If you're storing indoors, not really. If it's in an open shed or under a carport, a breathable cover helps. Avoid plastic sheets - they trap moisture. Purpose-made furniture covers or old cotton sheets work better.
Damage found? If I find issues during pack-down (rust, damaged parts, perished seals), I'll let you know. Some things are worth fixing over winter, others mean it's replacement time. Better to know now than in March when everyone's buying patio heaters and they're sold out.
Multiple outdoor items? If you're putting away parasols, furniture, BBQs, whatever at the same time, let me know. Doing it all in one visit is much more efficient than separate callouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I store my patio heater for winter?
Left outside all winter, they corrode, seals perish, spiders nest in the burners, and you'll struggle to get it working next year. Gas regulators especially hate being left outside - they go brittle and leak. Twenty minutes to store it properly now saves you buying a new one in spring.
Can't I just cover it and leave it outside?
You can, but covers trap moisture underneath and actually accelerate corrosion. Plus they blow off in winter storms. If you've nowhere to store it, a cover is better than nothing, but proper indoor storage (shed, garage, even a covered corner) is much better.
Do you disconnect the gas bottle too?
Yes - I'll disconnect the regulator properly, check the bottle valve is fully closed, and advise on safe storage for the bottle. They should be stored upright in a ventilated space away from ignition sources. Most people keep them in the shed which is fine.
Will you clean it before storing?
Yes - I'll wipe down the pole and reflector, brush out any debris from the base, and make sure nothing's nesting in it. Not a full valet but clean enough that it stores well and comes out decent next year. If it's particularly grotty I'll let you know.
How long does pack-down take?
Usually 30-45 minutes for a standard patio heater. Disconnect gas, clean it down, maybe disassemble the pole sections if you want it more compact for storage, move it to wherever you're storing it. Quicker than setup because I'm not testing everything.
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