Tips On Protecting Your Pop-Up ShelterIt Tent This Winter

Pop-up tents provide the perfect solution for many logistics companies at this time of the year, as the retail industry heads into the Christmas rush. 

Temporary warehouses create great spaces for businesses to hold extra stock, as this will help them avoid delays in delivery and ensure customers receive their goods in time, so everyone gets their gifts before Christmas Day. 

Last year, FedEx predicted that carriers would deliver 1.29 billion parcels in the UK between October and December 2024. This was more than ten per cent greater than the year before, which means there could be even more parcels being shipped out during this festive season.

With so many people buying online to avoid going to shopping centres or the high street, it is essential retailers have enough stock kept in warehouses, so that goods purchased can be sent out in good time. 

Therefore, these outdoor storage shelters need to be kept in good condition at this time of the year, as no business will want to disappoint their customers before Christmas. 

Here are some tips on keeping your PVC shelter dry this winter:

Clear snow immediately

Winter weather in the UK can vary between relatively mild to below freezing, which means there is always a chance of snowfall. This could cause problems to the stock inside the tent if the shelter is not prepared for it. 

For a start, it is a good idea to make sure it is secured down properly, as a sheet of snow on the roof can easily become very heavy. If the pop-up shelter is not adequately secure, the extra weight could weaken the overall structure. 

It is also sensible to position the shelter away from trees, as there is the risk that branches covered in snow could break under the extra weight and fall onto the roof, causing damage to the building. 

If snow does fall, make sure to clear as much of it away immediately to avoid the roof weakening under the extra weight. This can be done with a snow rake or even a broom with soft bristles. 

Use waterproof materials

While snow is a possibility every winter, it is not always guaranteed. However, wet weather is, so it is essential to choose a pop-up shelter that is made from waterproof materials. 

PVC fabric, for instance, provides sufficient protection against rainwater, making sure the contents of the tent remain protected and dry. 

Alternatively, a waterproofing spray could be applied to other materials, as long as it is evenly and sufficiently administered.

It would cost a business a huge amount of money if they had to replace the contents of the shelter due to water damage, so it is imperative that strong waterproof materials are used.

Add ventilation to avoid condensation

While you want to protect everything inside the tent to make sure customers receive undamaged goods, you should also consider adding ventilation.

This is because without ventilation, there is the risk of condensation building up, as the temperature inside the shelter is likely to be much warmer than outside. When warmer air touches a colder surface, in this case the walls or roof of the shelter, it forms water droplets. 

If there is a build-up of condensation, this could result in the contents becoming damp. It could even cause mould to form, which can spread very easily. 

To avoid this, choose a tent that has some openings, such as mesh windows, which allow a better air flow around the structure. Vents or fans also work well, as they circulate the air; therefore, the contrast between the outside and inside temperatures is not so drastic. 

Check the tent regularly

While these measures will provide a secure, weather-proof shelter for all the packages this Christmas, it is important to inspect the contents of the tent regularly. 

Something could go wrong, such as the fan could stop working or snow could build up on the roof and water could start leaking inside. Therefore, it is important to keep up with maintenance work and check it frequently to ensure everything continues to work well.