There are a variety of reasons why you may need to store your belongings for a long period of time. Long term travel, military deployment, an out-of-town job opportunity, downsizing your home or even a business needing a place for excess inventory, are all common situations in which you may need long-term storage.
It is very important that your items are prepared properly for long term storage as some items may require different care or treatment.
Whatever your situation, follow these long-term storage tips to help make the process a little less stressful.
When deciding on the storage facility, there are many things you should take into consideration. Choosing the right storage facility can be just as important as preparing your items properly for storage.
Choose a storage facility with a wide range of unit sizes and one that has climate controlled storage units. Climate controlled self storage units are optimal for long term storage as you won’t have to worry about fluctuating temperatures damaging your belongings.
Location is important, especially if you need to regularly access your storage unit. Make sure to find a place that is close to home or work. It is a good idea to check your belongings periodically to air out your storage space and address any possible issues.
Make sure the access hours suite your needs so you can get at your belongings when needed.
Security is a big factor when it comes to self storage . Choose a storage facility with security cameras, good lighting and individual access code entry. A facility that is also serviced by a pest control company is an added bonus.
Go online and read any customer reviews. These will be a very honest representation of the company and give you a good idea of what to expect.
When placing items into a storage unit, it is very important that all items are both clean and dry, especially when it is for a long period of time.
Vacuum all furniture before storing to make sure there are no crumbs that could possibly attract pests. When storing appliances, clean them thoroughly and leave the door propped open to prevent mold and mildew.
Always make sure everything is completely dry before putting it into a storage unit. Any excess moisture could cause mildew or mold to grow on your items.
Packing your belongings properly will help make sure they are in the same shape when you pick them up as when you left them.
Use brand new packing boxes instead of old reused boxes. They will keep their shape better and you will know for sure that they are clean. Buying new boxes also allows you to buy boxes of the same size for easier stacking in your unit.
Use bubble wrap and packing paper to protect your fragile items. Fill any empty spaces in the box with extra paper to make sure the items don’t move around in the box.
Invest in some vacuum sealed bags. Not only will they save you a ton of space, they will also help protect your items from mold and mildew.
If any important documents, such as birth certificates or wills, are being stored, put them in a plastic zipper bag to help protect them from any moisture.
Seal all of your boxes properly. If they are not sealed well, it is possible for dirt and dust to get inside.
Place pallets on the floor of your storage unit to place your items on. This will allow for more air circulation in the unit and keep your items off of the cold, concrete floor.
To keep dust and dirt off of your furniture, cover them with furniture covers or tarps.
There’s nothing worse than trying to locate an item in a sea of boxes that are not labeled. Label your boxes with the room they belong too and the main items they contain. When you store for a longer period of time, it is easy to forget where things have been placed. Label your boxes on all four sides so that if they get moved around, the label is still visible.
Create an inventory list that is a more detailed reference of all of the boxes in your unit. You can label the boxes with a number and list all of the contents in that specific box on the inventory list. Keep the inventory list at the front of your storage unit for quick reference. This will make any visit in the future a quick and easy one.
Storage Insurance is always a good idea whether you are storing for short term or long term. Storage facilities in Edmonton often require the contents of your storage unit to be insured. At Elite Self Storage in Edmonton we offer affordable storage insurance, ask one of our storage rental experts for details.
You can also call your insurance company to find out if your items are covered on your homeowners or renter's insurance policy. Find out what kind of coverage you will have as some insurance companies will not cover your stored belongings.
At Elite Self Storage South Edmonton, we offer indoor heated storage units and drive-up unheated storage units. We also offer indoor vehicle storage and RV Storage.
Come to Elite Storage for no games, no gimmicks or hidden fees! We provide month-to-month storage rentals with a full month value. Don't be fooled by our competitors who bill weekly or in 28 day billing cycles as this costs you an extra storage payment per year!
Not sure how to pick your storage unit size? Take a look at our storage unit size guide or call one of our storage rental experts today 780-452-8242 and they will be happy to help you select your storage space size.
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