Considering Long-Term Self-Storage? Read This First
One of the critical things you need to have in mind when it comes to self-storage solutions is the duration of the storage. Are you after short-term or long-term storage? Knowing what you want beforehand will help you get the most out of your self-storage unit. If you are new to self-storage solutions, you can miss a few key things that may lead to disappointments down the line. To avoid such outcomes, you will need all the tips to help you to not only get the ideal self-storage unit for your items but also to use it the right way. Therefore, if you are considering long-term self-storage, here is a thing or two you should know first.
Find Out If Your Contract Is Subject to Changes in Prices
It's important to understand that some self-storage companies won't guarantee that your rental price for the unit will remain unchanged over the duration of the storage. If you won't be around over the storage period, you need to plan on how you will be notified in case of any price changes.
Consider A Climate-Controlled Unit
If you are storing your stuff over the long-haul, chances are it will be subject to the different climate across the seasons. Depending on what you are storing, you might need to ensure that your items won't be affected by extreme changes in temperature, humidity, etc. Some items such as furniture and medication may be sensitive to extreme changes in the climate across the seasons. Therefore, to safeguard such items from potential damage that would result from drastic changes in temperature, choose a climate-controlled self-storage unit. The conditions inside such units are usually moderate and remain unchanged across the seasons of the year.
Avoid Cardboard Boxes
How well you pack your items for long-term storage has a significant impact on whether or not they will suffer some damages during the storage. One thing you need to pay extra attention to when it comes to packing your stuff is the kind of boxes you use. Unless you have rented a climate-controlled unit, avoid cardboard boxes and use plastic ones instead. Cardboard is usually highly susceptible to changes in humidity. That means moisture can easily damage the boxes and affect the items you stored inside.
Keep Your Stuff Off the Floor
Whenever possible, keep items such as boxes and furniture off the floor. Floors, especially concrete floors, can allow moisture to seep in and destroy your items. Therefore, put protective materials on floors before you start loading your items into the storage unit. The storage unit provider can help you find the protective materials.