We all need that extra space in our lives. And yes, many of us get creative at some point and come up with ways to add some in their houses, On the other hand – there comes a time when renting a storage unit, for the time being, is the only possible solution. So, why not? Storage units can really come in handy. And not only in a way that will add some space to your living area. It will help you organize better. And by doing so – renting a storage unit can really make your house look more neat and beautiful. Like a cover of a magazine. However, as we all already know – winter is coming! And if you, as many of us did, rented an outdoor storage unit in order to save some money – now you will need to prepare your storage unit for the winter.
But, do you know how to pull it off? There are some steps all of us should take – and if you do everything the right way – your belongings will be safe and sound during the winter period. And that is something all of us want, so – let’s dive in!
Prepare your storage unit for the winter by the book
Opening your storage unit after a while and breathing in all the dust doesn’t sound like fun. And it really isn’t. But, what needs to be done – needs to be done. And if your belongings’ safety matters to you (and we are sure it does) – you will take all the necessary steps in order to ensure the best possible protection for them. That means only one thing. That you will need to prepare your storage unit for the winter by the book. And here is how:
Think about everything in advance
Sometimes, you won’t even have to do anything. And that is the case if you have ranted a climate controlled storage unit. But, if you have tried to save some money along the road, and opted for an outdoor storage solution – you will definitely have to consider your next steps in order to ensure your items’ safety. It doesn’t matter if you opted for interstate movers Maine who gave you this solution, or you have picked it out all on your own. Outdoors storage units aren’t all that bad. But, they require some extra care. And that means you will have to start early and think about everything in advance. How early should you start?
Well, it all depends on how many things you have in your unit. And what type of items you have stored. Some things don’t really need all the extra care. On the other hand – some do. And that is why you need to make a solid strategy before you make any moves.
Sometimes the cheapest option isn’t really the best one.
Your inventory list can and will come in handy
If you have more than a few items stored – you don’t really remember what’s inside until you open your unit. And that is why making an inventory list was so smart idea to start with. And if you made such a list – you won’t have a problem now. You will be able to calculate how much time and energy this task will require. But, if there is no inventory list in place, we advise you to start as early as possible. It will help you stay on the track and complete all tasks on time.
Water is your biggest enemy in these types of situations
No, It is not only cold weather. It is water. And things it can do to your belongings. Flooding is just one of many things that can happen over the winter. Water exposure can provoke many unpleasant outcomes.
- Prepare your storage unit for the winter by taking all the necessary steps to prevent flooding and other water-caused problems.
If your storage unit can be affected by snow accumulation and other sources of water during the winter period, there are a few things you can do. All in order to ensure your belongings safety. One of the things you can do is to put your items on a higher level. How? The answer is pretty simple. Pallets. This way, your items won’t get in touch with water, hence – no damage will happen.
Don’t let flood ruin your winter.
Another thing you can do as an extra step, or as the only possible solution (if your storage unit is too small to add some pallets, etc.) is to opt for plastic bins. They are a bit more expensive than the usual cardboard ones, but they also come with a few extra advantages. One of them – they are water resistant. On the other hand – they are reusable and eco-friendly. So yes, you won’t only prepare your storage unit for the winter, you will do it in an eco-friendly manner.
Protect items that are temperature sensitive
If your storage unit isn’t climate controlled, you have a problem here. And not only if some of your items don’t go well with low temperatures. Some things won’t go well with the common temperature change that occurs in the winter either. However, there are some steps you can take to protect them even if your storage unit isn’t the safest one. Here are some things that require extra care:
- Musical instruments
- Wooden furniture, or anything else made of wood
- Liquids
- Art pieces
- Electronics
Of course, as you already may know, there are many more. But, the ones that we have listed here are the most common ones being stored all over America. And yes, it doesn’t matter if you have looked for long distance moving companies Alaska has to offer – this problem can happen to anyone, anywhere. What can you do?
- Place protective coverings over fragile items that are sensitive to cold weather.
- Drain fuel from your devices.
- Think about moving some of your items for the time being (art pieces and similar).
Electronic devices aren’t really winter-friendly.
Of course, you don’t have to do any of this all on your own. For example, if you are looking for cross country moving companies North Dakota, you can find the one that offers a wide range of moving and storing services. Services such as loading and unloading storage units. Just play it smart, and you won’t only prepare your storage unit for the winter, you will also save time and energy when doing so.