Wooden pallets keep everything from food to furniture safe and organized as you ship it from one place to another. But wood pallets can crack, swell, or house mold, especially when left in snow, rain, and extreme heat. Understanding how weather affects wooden pallets can help you avoid these issues and keep your operations running smoothly.

1. The Problem of Moisture and Humidity

Moisture can compromise a wooden pallet’s durability. Exposure to rain or high humidity causes pallets to absorb water, leading to swelling, bending, or even cracking. Plus, damp wood creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth, which poses a serious contamination risk, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Wet pallets weigh more than dry ones, which could increase transportation costs. These issues are costly and disruptive, so store your new wood pallets in a covered, ventilated space to combat these issues.

2. Temperature Extremes and Their Effects

Wood reacts to temperature swings in extreme ways. Freezing cold makes wood brittle, so pallets are more likely to snap under heavy loads. Excessive heat dries out the wood, leading to cracks and splinters. Choosing new wood pallets and inspecting them as you use them can save the pallets from temperature-induced problems.

3. The Sneaky Damage From Sun and UV Rays

UV rays can break down a wooden pallet’s surface, weakening its structural integrity. Sunlight also fades labels and markings for inventory tracking. This can lead to misidentified shipments or delays in warehouse processing. Keeping pallets out of direct sunlight preserves their strength, structure, and readability.

4. Pests Love Burrowing Into Pallets

Warm weather attracts pests, like termites and beetles. If pests settle into your pallets, they’ll feed on the wood and, in some cases, contaminate your products. This can lead to customer complaints or regulatory issues that can harm your business’s reputation. Investing in pest-resistant pallets, such as heat-treated or chemically treated options, protects your shipments and your supply chain.

Protect Your Pallets Today

Now that you know how weather conditions impact wooden pallet performance, you can protect your investment. Accomplish this and more when you partner with First Alliance Logistics Management. We provide expert advice, logistics support, and new wood pallets. Reach out today, and we’ll help you find the right pallets for your operations.