Let me guess: you’ve heard of storage rental before, but never really had a reason to use it until recently. You’re probably also wondering where to start and which facility is right for you.
What unit sizes would you need, what to look out for, and what not to look out for? While all these questions are great to keep in mind, this article will simplify some of them to help you decide which facility is right for you.
With that said, understand that self-storage is a great way to save and preserve your belongings. People typically use self-storage for a variety of reasons, such as clearing up space in their home or apartment. While others may view self-storage as a temporary solution for their moving transitions.
Regardless of what your case may be, we can all agree that keeping your belongings safe is one of the most important factors when deciding which storage facility to sign up for. With that said, let’s check out the 5 simple starter tips for beginner self-storage renters.
1) Find a self-storage rental with several security features – such as 24/7 video surveillance, electronic pin access gates, alarm systems, a well-lit facility, and more. These are some security-related features you should definitely look for at any facility.
Another tip to keep your eyes open for is how tidy the facility is, both inside and outside. The better a facility is kept, generally, the better it is maintained. This is typically a good sign. Another great sign of a secure facility is if they have an on-site employee 24/7, as it’ll help bring in a physical presence to help deter potential shenanigans.
2) Find out if the self-storage rental offers insurance – whenever a facility offers insurance, that’s always a good sign. It shows that the facility is confident in securing your belongings. Additionally, having insurance on your belongings is always good to have in case a security breach occurs or your belongings are damaged. It’s highly recommended to ensure your belongings are safe if you plan on storing your items for a long period of time.
3) Think ahead about protecting moisture-sensitive items – Not all belongings hold up the same way in a storage environment. Items like wood furniture, electronics, musical instruments, and fabric goods can be vulnerable to humidity and moisture over time. Before placing these items in your unit, make sure they’re fully clean and dry.
Use breathable covers on furniture rather than plastic wrapping, which can trap moisture against surfaces. Silica gel packets or moisture-absorbing products placed inside boxes provide an additional layer of protection. Taking these steps before move-in can make a real difference in how your belongings come out on the other side.
4) Find yourself a secure lock – one of the most important security measures you can take is to take matters into your own hands. While a lock may seem like the most obvious sign of security, people tend not to take into consideration the lock quality.
Keep in mind that some facilities may require you to bring your own security lock for your own protection, while other facilities have their own security measures to ensure your belongings are safe.
5) Find yourself a notebook or something to record your items – it’s important to keep a map record of where your belongings are located. This’ll ensure that no one has been in your unit and that it was exactly as you had left it.
Additionally, having a record of your belongings is great because it’ll help you stay organized come time to move. Another important reason why you should keep a record of your belongings is in case of an insurance claim.
Ideal Storage | Commercial Ave. Kingston, Washington 98346 United States
A secure self-storage facility is important to have, as it’ll help give you peace of mind. At Ideal Storage, we have video surveillance, alarm systems, and an electronic pin-code access entry gate to ensure your belongings are properly secured.
Ideal Storage offers a wide variety of secure storage units in Kingston, Washington, to help maintain your peace of mind. We offer a wide variety of storage units at low, competitive rates! Contact us.