Selecting A Storage Space
Self Storage is a convenient, safe, and inexpensive
way to store your belongings. Ask the storage consultant to help
you choose a space that fits your needs because rental of a storage
space is determined by the total size of the items being stored.
An efficiently packed small space will cost less than a larger
space. If you frequently use the space, a larger space, well
organized (racks and file boxes), may be more convenient.
Storage Space Rental Agreement
For your protection, a storage facility provides
a written agreement. Read it thoroughly and ask the storage consultant
to answer your questions. Make note of your payment date to see
if the agreement covers prorated rental periods. Also, find out
how and when your security deposit is refunded or forfeited upon
termination of the agreement. If you change your address or phone
number, be sure to notify the storage facility in writing.
Insure Your Goods In Storage
The goods you place in self storage spaces are the
sole responsibility of you, their owner. Goods, are not insured
by the storage facility. Your storage consultant may be able
to give you the names of insurers who provide low-cost insurance
coverage for your goods. Ask your storage consultant for a brochure
on self storage insurance.
Prohibited Storage Goods
Common sense and state
laws determine what may be stored. You alone control access to
your storage space; therefore, never store live animals, perishables,
liquids, explosives, flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials,
or other items that need a controlled environment. Remember to
drain the fuel from gasoline engines before storage.
INSPECT YOUR STORAGE SPACE.
The space
should be clean with a door in good working order.
DETERMINE THE PACKING ACCESSORIES YOU NEED:
Paper,
bubble-wrap, tape, rope, drop clothes, polyurethane sheeting,
furniture covers, pallets, skids, file boxes, and storage cartons.
Some of these items may be purchased in our showroom in the office.
FILL CONTAINERS TO CAPACITY:
Partially
full or bulging cartons may tip or collapse. Protect your fragile
goods with packing and place them near the top of your storage
space.
LABEL BOXES.
Keep a list of labeled
boxes at your office for easy reference when you need to locate
your goods.
APPLIANCES:
A refrigerator or freezer
should be thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar.
Some goods can be stored inside large appliances and boxes can
be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Make
sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they
are stored.
BICYCLES AND OTHER METAL ITEMS:
To retard
rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops
of machine oil.
BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS:
Pack books flat
to protect their spines.
Use packing to fill out empty pockets in the boxes. Do not pack
fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload.
BEDDING, CLOTHING, CURTAINS, DRAPES AND LINENS:
Clothing, curtains, and drapes should be stored on
hangers. If hanging cartons are not available, such items should
be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chests
along with bedding and linens. Our facility sells wardrobe style
cardboard cartons, which help protect your clothes. Food crumbs
or stains should be removed before storage and avoid storing
anything that may attract pests.
DISHES AND GLASSWARE:
Place a layer
of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing
glassware. All glass items should be individually wrapped: nest
cups and bowls and stand plates, saucers, and platters on edge.
Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons. Again,
fill all pockets with packing. Label all boxes containing glassware,
and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.
FURNITURE:
Stand sofas
and mattresses on end. Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table
legs in paper. If a table will not disassemble, place padding
on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing
up. Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers
for lines of small, delicate items. Keep upholstery off the floor.
Most lightweight chairs can be stacked "seat to seat"
or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled.
Finally, place a light cotton (e.g. a bedsheet) dust cover on
your furniture. We sell furniture, mattress and chair covers
for your convenience.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS:
Save the original
cartons that contained delicate ornaments and pad the ornaments
with packing paper or newspaper. Wrap strings of lights around
a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing
paper.
LAMPS:
Wrap large lamps based in padding,
wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes, and pack delicate
lamp shades separately. Do not use newspaper to wrap lampshades
or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. Do not
store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lamp shades.
TOOLS:
Metal tools should be cleaned
and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to
retard rust. Long-handled tools such as rakes, shovels and hoes
should be clean, lightly oiled and tied in bundles.