In the 10+ years I have been running this self storage facility I have learned a few tricks to having an event free storage experience. In the following list are helpful hints that we have learned over the years. They are provided here only as suggestion for your consideration.
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-Packing
1) Packing and storing things in cardboard boxes is nice, but if you can afford it, buy large plastic bins to pack in. This is especially true for valuable belongings. Although they are a little more expensive to buy they offer a significant improvement in protection from mice, humidity, water and other things being packed above or around them. No matter what precautions you take to avoid damage from mice, the person in the unit next door might not be as careful.
2) Mark your boxes and containers. While you are packing things number the outside, top, bottom and all 4 sides of the container with a number. Then on a piece of paper write down which room or location that box came from (Sally's or Johnny's bedroom, the kitchen, etc . . .). If you want to be even more exact, you can list the items packed inside each box by number. This is the same system professional movers use. It makes finding things later much faster and easier.
3) Make sure to mark light and fragile boxes appropriately. The marking should be highly visible so that anyone handling the box or carton will know to be careful.
4) When water freezes it expands! If you have any items that contain water (or any unknown liquids) DO NOT store them in an area without climate control. These items will break when the temperature falls below freezing. Then, when the temperature rises above freezing that water will damage your belongings.
5) Avoid storing any liquids of any kind. It doesn't matter if it is vinegar from the kitchen, can goods such as soup, soda, left over paint or motor oil from the garage, etc . . . if it is liquid it has the potential to come open or leak. This can cause a lot of damage to your belongings! It doesn't matter how well you think it is sealed it has the potential to leak and cause damage.
6) If you are storing anything that contains fuel or oil, say a weed whacker, chain saw, lawn mower, Coleman lantern, etc . . . drain all of the gas and oil out of these items. This goes along with hint above concerning liquids in general. Fluids and air expand and contract with changes in temperature. The tops to gas and oil tanks can work their way loose and you can end up with a real big mess and damaged property. It is strongly recommended to remove these liquids and avoid storing them.
7) Make sure to use adequate packing material. If you are on a tight budget newspaper is the least expensive thing to use; however the ink can come off the paper and get all over some items. You can also buy clean (no ink) packing paper which is similar to news paper. If you have something that is expensive or very fragile I would recommend using buble wrap or foam peanuts. You might also consider double boxing it.
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-Storing
1) Plan ahead! If all or most of your belongings are in storage you may find that you need to get into them to find something while they are still in storage. Most people take advantage of all the space a unit has to offer and pack it full. It will help you to keep track and take notes of the relative location of each of the boxes and items. You should also try and anticipate which boxes or items you might need to find while your belongings are in storage. Pack those towards the front and top.
2) Make sure your light and fragile items are packed on top on a secure base.
3) The floors in a storage facility are solid concrete. In the winter they become very cold, frozen like the ground. In the spring if warm moist air comes into contact with the frozen concrete condensation will form. To protect against this there are 2 options. If you pack the floor of your unit such that air can not contact it you will avoid any condensation. If this is not possible you can get some free used pallets and put them on the floor of your unit. Then you can elevate your belongings off the floor.
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