3 Tips For Using A Self-Storage Unit

Self-storage units provide an invaluable service for homeowners who need to store their items for a move or simply free up extra space in their home. If it is your first time using a self-storage unit, there are a few tips that can help you organize your belongings effectively and protect them from damage.

Set Items on Pallets or Blocks

If you live in an area with high rainfall or will be storing your items during the winter months, one of the most important things you can do to avoid water damage is to store them up off the floor. High snow banks and flash floods can sometimes cause water to leak through the crack under a storage unit door, soaking the bottom edges of your boxes and furniture.

Wood pallets and concrete blocks are two very effective means of avoiding this scenario. A single concrete block under each leg of a couch or a pallet under a stack of boxes can keep your items high and dry in the event of a water leak.

Prepare If You Will Visit Often

Many people find themselves going back to their storage unit to retrieve items more often than they expected. If you prepare for this possibility and keep your belongings organized as you store them, it can make finding the item you need much easier. Be sure to label every container by its contents or the room that it came from. It's also a good idea to plan ahead and store the items you think you will need the soonest at the front of the unit.

If your budget will allow it, you should consider purchasing a storage unit that is one size larger than the minimum size required to hold all of your belongings. This will allow you to stack all of your belongings against the walls of the unit and leave yourself convenient walkways to access any item in the unit.

Consider a Climate-Controlled Unit

Whether you are storing wood furniture, electronics, or musical instruments, almost every homeowner will have at least one possession that is sensitive to temperature and humidity. The best way to make sure that these items will come out of storage as pristine as you left them is to purchase a climate-controlled storage unit. Storage facilities that offer climate-controlled units will often advertise the temperature and humidity ranges of these units, so you can judge for yourself whether they are right to store sensitive belongings.

Self-storage units are a secure and convenient option for storing items year-round if you take a few steps to protect and organize your belongings.

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