It doesn’t matter whether you are in the middle of a heatwave or a blizzard when it comes to keeping things safe. Extreme temperatures can be dangerous for your possessions. It’s easy to feel helpless when it comes to protecting your belongings. But don’t worry! This guide will help prepare your storage unit for the summer.
Heat
First, let’s talk about how hot storage units can get. The temperature inside your storage kalispell mt unit increases with the outside temperature. The temperature inside your storage unit can rise if it is enclosed by concrete or metal. This can cause a huge difference in temperature between the inside and outside. The temperature inside your unit can be as high as 30 degrees above the outside. This can have a huge impact on your items. High temperatures can cause some materials to warp, crack, rust, or melt, even though they are stronger than others.
High humidity levels can lead to mold and mildew problems. You might consider changing to a climate controlled storage unit if your items are expected to be stored for a prolonged period. These units automatically regulate the temperature. You don’t need to prepare the storage unit for temperature fluctuations.
Spring clean your storage units
Spring cleaning is a must, but we forget to clean out our storage units. Our belongings get covered in dirt and dust all year. You’d be amazed at how important spring cleaning of your storage unit can be. You should be ready for lots of work. It is not an easy job to clean a storage unit, so be prepared to spend at least a day cleaning it. Ask your family and friends to help. You never know, you might just find the hidden gem within this year.
You can keep your unit clean by doing a yearly cleaning. This will allow you to have more storage space. This will help you to identify and repair any damage and clean out your unit. Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to identify potentially dangerous items that you may have stored .
Dangerous Items
If you find any one of the following items in your storage unit, clean it immediately.
- Flammable liquids – Kerosene or gasoline should not be stored in a storage unit.
- Water – Both winter and summer can bring about serious problems. When the summer heat is intense, mold and mildew are more common. You are not safe even during winter. Water-filled vessels that are filled with water can crack or break during cold weather, because water expands when it freezes.
- Paper and textile – Heat inside units can cause certain textiles to fade or discolor, so don’t store them in your storage unit.
- Electronics – We tend to wrap everything in bubble wrap and stick it in our units thinking it is protected. Bubble wrap is not recommended for certain items. This is especially true for electronics and metals. This can cause further damage to your belongings. You might also risk some electronic parts melting in the heat from your storage unit. It’s better to keep electronics out of the unit.
Take a look at how you store
You might need to store your most fragile items in a storage unit for the summer. Take extra steps in this instance to prepare your storage unit. Desiccant pouches, which are the silicon pouches that you often find in new shoes or electrical packaging, can be very useful. These are great if you intend on storing your appliances in an air-conditioned storage unit. These water-absorbing pouches can protect gadgets and other valuables. Baking soda and kitty litter can be used around your unit to prevent mildew and mold growth. Make sure your towels, blankets and clothes are clean before you store them . Mildew and mold can thrive on clothes in warmer temperatures. This is especially true when they aren’t cleaned well.
You might consider switching to climate-controlled units
The primary goal for climate-controlled storage units is to maintain consistent temperatures and humidity levels. The temperature should be between 55- to 85-degrees Fahrenheit. However, this can vary. When making your storage unit safe, you must consider temperature and humidity. Both can have a negative impact on each other. The increased moisture in the air causes the temperature to rise. Additional humidity can also cause heat to increase. You can protect your valuables by ensuring that the temperature and humidity levels are constant.
These are reasons why you should consider switching to a climate-controlled unit.
- You live in an area that experiences high temperatures and high humidity. It is essential to protect objects stored in areas that are already subject to high temperatures or humidity. Your goods are almost certain to be damaged if you do not take extra precautions to keep outside elements out.
- You intend to store your belongings for a longer period. It’s impossible to predict what the weather will look like in the future if it’s hot and dry now. Choose a climate-controlled area if you want to be protected from unexpected changes in temperature or humidity.
- You are a collector. Your antiques should not be left to chance. They can also be damaged by improper packing. When preparing fragile items for storage, be sure to take care of them and not make any mistakes.
Closing words
You need to prepare your storage unit for heat, regardless of whether you store short-term or longer-term items. We hope this guide has helped you to find the right path. Have fun with storage!
This post was written by a professional at Greenbar Secure Storage. Greenbar Secure Storage has a wide range of storage units available in Prineville, Oregon. They offer a variety, including ground-level access, security cameras, 24/7 accessibility, and parking spaces. Locally owned and operated, we are the best choice for convenient and clean storage solutions in the Prineville, Oregon region. All of our commercial storage clients accept deliveries from businesses.
