Storage Tips
You may need storage
for a variety of reasons. Whether you are moving and need to use storage
for a few weeks, or you are storing up a full home and need a storage
facility long term, there are facilities available for your every need.
Here are a few tips for finding a storage facility that meets your
requirements.
- Planning for storage. When you are moving you may need a storage
unit to put some of your belongings in. You need to decide first what you
can live without so that you can start to plan what you will put into
storage. When moving, you can pay the moving company to use their storage
facility, or you can choose a self-storage facility.
- Selecting a storage facility. When selecting a storage facility,
location is key. Do you want to be able to utilize the storage facility on a
regular basis? If this is the case you need to find a storage facility close
to home. Start researching storage facilities in your area based on what you
need. If you are making a long distance move and you need storage along the
way, research storage facilities wherever you may need one.
- How much space do you need? You need to decide what size storage
facility you are going to use. Storage facilities have units available in
all sizes. Make a list of the items you will need to store, and then decide
on the appropriate size storage unit for your items. If you are storing a
minimal amount, there are also mini storage facilities available.
- Check the accessibility of your unit. When choosing a storage
facility you need to be sure to ask the storage unit representative when and
how you can access your unit. Most storage facilities have 24 hour access.
There are some, however, that have time restrictions on when you can access
your storage unit, and others that charge extra for unlimited access.
- Check for climate control. Another point that is extremely
important when choosing a storage facility is to find out if it has climate
control. This is important if you are storing anything that may be valuable
or delicate in the storage unit. Some documents or antiques may get warped
by being stored in a storage unit that is too hot, too cold, or too humid.
- Choosing how to pack. When you have chosen the right storage
facility for you, you then have to decide how you want to pack it. It's
easiest to use boxes that are consistent in size because it is much easier
to stack boxes of the same size in your storage unit.
- Store fully packed boxes. Make sure that if you are storing a lot
of packed boxes in your storage facility that they are packed all the way to
the top. If you stack half filled boxes on top of one another they will
collapse when you put anything on top of them. Even if you have to fill the
boxes with newspaper, Styrofoam chips or padding, it is important to have
your boxes packed this way when being stored in your storage unit.
- Protect metal items from rusting. Any items that are metal should
be cleaned off before you put them in your storage unit. If the items you
are storing in your unit are prone to rust, use a rag to wipe some machine
oil on them, this will slow down the rust process.
- Leave a path for easy access. Make sure you leave walkways in
between your rows of boxes and furniture in your storage unit. You need to
be able to maneuver easily in between the items you have stored in your
unit.
- Ask about security. Lastly, make sure that the storage facility you have chosen has enough security. Most storage facilities do have a good security system, but it is always wise to purchase an additional pad lock for the outside of your storage unit. You can also make sure to pack anything of extreme value in the back.