Things to Consider Before Putting Things in a Storage Unit
Self-storage units are an excellent option for people that need a place to put their belongings during a transition to a new home or if they don't have enough storage at home for everything. Getting the storage unit ready for your belongings can help keep anything from getting damaged while it is in storage.
1. Prepare the Floor
It is never a good idea to stack boxes directly on the floor inside a storage unit. If water does get into the unit, the boxes start to absorb the water, fall apart, and fall over. The contents of the bottom boxes may get wet as well, so if there are things that water may damage in the boxes, you may end up with a huge mess.
Placing some wooden pallets on the floor is a simple way to keep the boxes off the concrete. Unless the water gets several inches deep in the unit, the pallets should be able to keep the boxes high and dry. The pallets also allow air to circulate under the boxes, so if water does get in, the air moving under the boxes will help dry out the floor sooner.
If you find used pallets to put in your storage unit, get ones that are the same size so that you have a level surface to stack all your boxes on. A level surface will help avoid any issue with the boxes falling over or leaning one way or the other.
2. Organize Your Boxes
If you are going to put a lot of boxes in storage, it is a good idea to take the time to sort out what you have that you may need to get to and what you can live without for a while. Put the things you do not need on the bottom of the stack if they are large enough to support more boxes.
As you add boxes, keep the ones you may need access to near the front of the stack. The best place for them is in the front and about waist high with nothing else on top of them. That allows you to open and access the contents of the boxes without having to lift or more them.
Another useful trick is to stack your boxes in a U shape around the unit to leave a center aisle that you can use to get to things in the back of the unit as well as the front. It takes a little planning to make it work if you have furniture in the unit as well, but it makes it easier to deal with if your stuff is going to be in the unit for an extended period.
If you're ready to rent a self-storage unit, visit websites like dbrvs.com.
