Prepping Your Self-Storage Unit For Severe Winter Weather
As temperatures start to fall, you may be thinking about prepping your home and car for severe winter weather. As you make these preparations, you should also consider prepping your self-storage unit as well. This is particularly important if your unit is located in an outdoor facility that doesn't offer climate control or interior hallways to protect your items from the weather. Here are some steps you can take to prepare your storage unit for severe winter weather.
Remove Fragile Items
If you have antiques, glassware, or other fragile items that might become damaged due to freezing temperatures, consider removing them from storage until the spring thaw. Pack these items carefully with tissue paper in sturdy boxes or containers to transport them safely back to your home, and keep them in a closet or heated basement until they are ready to go back into storage.
Line The Floors
As snow and ice go through melt and freeze cycles during the winter, water may enter your storage unit through the front door area. The water can damage items stored inside of boxes, and the water can even freeze again when inside the unit, causing additional damage to furnishings or other items you have stored away. Line the floor with flattened cardboard boxes or sheets of cardboard, which can absorb water and keep it away from your items. You may also want to add a door sweep to the door to prevent water from seeping inside the unit.
Tarp The Ceiling
if you are concerned about leaks from the roof of your storage unit, consider lining the ceiling with plastic tarps or sheeting. Use tape to create individual pockets throughout the tarp. This will help water to collect in smaller areas instead of weighing down the tarp in the center. By evenly distributing the weight of water from leaks, you can help keep the tarp in place. Be sure to check the unit frequently, and bring someone with you to help carefully remove the tarp if it has collected water.
Cover Everything
You may already have cloth tarps on furniture, but you should consider covering everything in the storage unit with plastic tarps or sheeting. This plastic can protect your items from water leaks and drips while also providing an added layer of warmth for your furnishings and boxes. Cover your furniture loosely with the plastic, and secure entire rows of boxes by using bungee cords or ties to keep the tarps in place on these larger items.
If you have a lot of fragile or valuable items in storage, you may want to consider transferring them to a heated storage unit instead. Check with a storage facility, like Penn Plaza Self Storage , to see if it has any heated units available, and if not, use these tips to prepare your outdoor unit for the cold winter months.