When picking a Colorado Springs storage unit to provide a temporary or long-term home for your belongings, one of the most important things to decide is the size of the compartment – a space that is too large will incur unnecessary expenses, while a unit that is too small will not be able to accommodate all your items. Here are some tips about how to get the size right:
Determine the function of the storage space – the types and the volume of the items to be moved into the unit will determine the size of the space that you need. If you want to use the space for furniture or for vehicles, you will need a larger unit, while clothes, artwork or archives can fit into smaller units;
Make measurements – try to pack your items, then stack them and measure the volume to find out the approximate cubic footage that you need;
Be familiar with standard sizes – a 5 feet x 5 feet storage unit is the size of a closet, 5 x 15 units are the size of a large walk-in closet, while 10 x 10 units are roughly the size of half of a one-car garage. Standard sizes can go up to 10 x 30 or even larger.
Storage unit auctions are events during which the storage spaces that have been abandoned and for which the rent has not been paid for a certain amount of time are opened and their contents are made available for bidding. The storage near me auctions are exciting, great fun and also great opportunities to find valuable items for cheap. Here is how to find out about such auctions near you:
Auction finding websites – there are many specialized websites that you can use to find out about upcoming storage unit auctions. You will be required to enter a zip code, then you can sort upcoming events based on various criteria;
Calling local storage unit providers – most facilities organize such events regularly, so if you call them, you will find out about the exact dates and locations of upcoming events;
Storage company websites – most facilities also announce upcoming events on their websites.
If you know the date and the place of the auction, don’t just go there with all your cash in your pocket – find out about the conditions for participating in the auction, too. Be prepared that some companies charge a fee for allowing you to bid on the contents of their abandoned units.
Climate controlled storage units are spaces of various sizes located in storage facilities that are suitable for storing sensitive items that are vulnerable to changing temperatures and humidity levels and that need protection from dust, mold, mildew, pests and any kind of contamination, such as artwork, electronics, items made from textile, leather, wood or from metals prone to developing rust. The climate controlled storage Colorado Springs spaces offer the ideal environment for these sensitive valuables with the help of advanced systems that include heating, cooling, ventilation and the control of humidity levels. These storage spaces are not only fitted with advanced climate control appliances – they are also located in buildings that use suitable, usually all-around insulation to ensure even better air quality and even better temperature control.
Most commonly, the climate control systems in storage facilities use settings operated centrally and very similar to the conditions encountered in homes. This means that the climate conditions in all the units within the same facility are the same, including the temperature (usually kept in the 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit range), the humidity and the other parameters. To make sure that the circumstances in the building are suitable for your sensitive belongings, always inquire about the applied climate control settings before you rent your unit.
Storage units are not the same because storage needs are very different. In general, a storage unit is a place where people keep various goods.
The classification of deposits is very diverse and is done according to different features.
According to the storage method, there are closed, open and partially closed storage units. They can also be classified by size, set of services provided, type of property, their purpose (distribution, long-term storage, universal, specialized, commercial, industrial, etc.) as well as storage conditions (heating – cooling, ventilation, surveillance etc.).
Some storage units have special floors for heavy equipment, modern fire-fighting systems, the possibility to adjust the humidity, temperature, interior lighting, depending on the type of goods stored. Some are equipped with alarm, security and permanent video surveillance.
Nowadays, storage facilities that provide the entire set of storage services to minimize expenses are becoming increasingly popular, because many individuals and businesses look for optimal storing solutions that maximize their available space resourcefully. Selected the ideal Colorado Springs storage unit for your needs means navigating through all these features and choosing those that suit your needs best. Storage facility managers will help you assess your needs and choose a suitable storage unit that will help you utilize the available space in the best possible way.
Most RV owners are now ready to store their vehicles for the winter. Some of them may not know that there are mistakes they can make that could cost them money down the road. Find great RV storage Colorado Springs tips:
Not draining the hot water heater tank
Many RV owners think that pulling the drain plus is enough, but actually they must also open the pressure pop-off valve, to get the job properly done. If you ignore this last operation, there will still be remaining water in there, which will freeze and cause problems.
Using antifreeze directly into the fresh water tank
Yes, winter temperatures are a problem. Yes, antifreeze is very helpful, but instead of pouring it into the water tank, you should purchase a three-way valve from an RV dealer, to bypass the freshwater tank.
Exaggerating when using antifreeze
Using too much antifreeze is a mistake, and the size of your rig is not an indicator of how much antifreeze you will have to use. Specialists recommend two gallons, regardless the size of an RV.
Pay particular attention to the grey and black water tanks
You will have to treat them before draining them, to make sure you get rid of leftovers and prevent bad odors in the spring. As such, before temperatures go below the freezing point, fill your grey and back water tanks with fresh water, add the regular chemicals and allow it to sit for a couple of weeks before performing the complete drainage operations.
Winter is close and storing your RV is now a priority. Here are 5 things to consider:
Where you store it
If you are not the owner of a property with a yard or a garage, where you can park your vehicle for the off season, there are other options: on a friend`s property, in a RV park or storage lot. Make your choice in time in order to make the necessary arrangements.
Pre-storage considerations
You must store your RV in a safe place, to prevent damage caused by moisture, rodents or weather exposure. Pre-storage considerations must include details on how long you will store your RV, climate & storage conditions as well as surveillance options.
Winterizing the RV
If you plan to store your RV for the winter, make sure to winterize it, especially if you live in an area with severe winter weather and low temperatures. Winterizing ensures that the vehicle will not be damaged during the hibernation period and includes protecting the plumbing from freezing, removing unused water from the system, using antifreeze, disconnecting batteries, installing winter covers etc.
Prevent rodents from being able to access your RV during storage
Seal gaps or holes using silicone or expanding foam
Cover gas vents to prevent insects from making their home inside
Make sure to remember uncovering them when you start using your RV again. You can find some of the best winter storage units at https://american-storage.net/.
Winter weather is around the corner, and it is time for boat owners to prepare their boats for winter storage. Winterizing your boat is necessary to protect it through the upcoming severe weather and low temperatures and to prevent unpleasant surprises at the end of the off season, such as finding your boat filled with water or in a poor condition caused by storage mistakes. It is always best to conduct a search and locate storage units near me for convenience and to check up throughout the winter months.
Here are 3 big mistakes you must avoid:
Using travel covers for winter storage
Travel covers are destined to be used in the summer and are constructed in a different manner than winter covers, from materials that are not suitable for winter weather. They have a low pitch and do not utilize heavy-duty wood framed construction, such as winter covers, to be able stand up to heavy snow loads.
Ignoring the upholstery
In the absence of proper maintenance and winterization, your boat’s upholstery will freeze and become very susceptible to damage (cracks) caused by snow loads and improper traffic.
Leaving the boat`s battery connected
Any battery that is left connected while the device/ vehicle it powers is not in use will drain out and die. To keep your battery functional, make sure to disconnect it when you but the boat to storage and fill it up with distilled water.
Storage units are great for people who have more things to store than available space in their homes.
Storage units are also important for the assets of your company. Every construction company, PC office, grain warehouse or any other company needs an area specially designed for storing goods. Online stores also need a place to store their products, a place that must offer optimal temperature, but also optimal insulation.
Each storage facility is different and provides its own set of features; you will just have to identify which one of the best storage units Colorado Springs offers is for you. Here are top features to look for in your next storage unit.
Climate control options vs. non-climate controlled storage
When you look around to rent a storage unit, one of the most important questions is – do you need climate controlled storage?
Climate controlled storage is more expensive and you must know if the benefits worth the added cost.
Storage companies provide different storage spaces at various temperatures: -20 ° C for freezing, 2-6 ° C for refrigeration – but also for dry products that must be stored at temperatures above 0 °C or do not require temperature control at all.
Basic self storage is enough for common household, yard or business items. On the other hand, the climate controlled storage Colorado Springs has is necessary – and actually highly recommended! – for sensitive items (musical instruments, antiques, electronics, fine art, documents etc.). The storage of some recreational vehicles should also be done in climate controlled units, if those vehicles are prone to be damaged by exposure to the elements.
Climate controlled storage is not just about temperature control, but also about better air quality. Air quality is a feature most people forget about when they rent storage units – and this is definitely a mistake. In climate controlled storage facilities, the air is continuously circulated, so it remains clean. You will not have to worry about ventilating your storage unit to prevent the problems related to poor air quality (moisture, mold etc.).
Recreational vehicles can be stored indoors and outdoors, depending on their type.
Driving through neighborhoods, you can surely notice RVs parked in yards. This is a good option if the vehicle is not susceptible to damage caused by exposure to the elements and if the owner has enough space, on the property, for storing it (parking your RV on the street is illegal).
If you take your vehicle to a storage facility, outdoor storage will be significantly cheaper than indoor storage. Some facilities feature awnings and security options, while others are just a slight upgrade from parking the RV in your yard.
On the other hand, indoor storage offers different levels of protection. It is not just about keeping your RV protected from the rain, wind, or sun radiation, but also about storing it in a proper environment, in terms of humidity, temperature and cleaning. Some recreational vehicles (e.g. inflatable boats), need such special storage conditions to remain intact. Indoor storage also provides better security and protection against theft. Many storage facilities in Colorado Springs are equipped with surveillance systems and have security personnel on site, 24/7. Obviously, these storage services are more expensive, but ultimately it is about how much is the vehicle worth to you.
Active recreation on the water is gaining more and more fans. Many families buy polyvinyl chloride (PVC) inflatable boats, not only for fishing, but also for traveling along rivers and lakes, beach vacations and sightseeing trips.
However, possession of such a “toy” also generates tangible worries. For example, it is very important to store PVC boats properly, during the winter.
An inflatable boat must not be kept outdoors, under the open sky, during the winter, nor deflated in a cellar. Handling PVC products at low temperatures has its own characteristics. Notches may appear in places where the material folds. The effects of low temperatures can be different. If the product has been kept at a slightly negative temperature, the folding traces will disappear in a few days. However, if the temperature during storage was very low, serious damage is not excluded.
A boat once inflated should be kept this way all the time, in a place with adequate humidity and temperature. The best option is to find a local boat storage Colorado Springs location and rent a storage unit for your boat. There are storage units heated to certain temperatures that allow safe storage of a wide range of goods that cold weather would damage.
RV destinations are typically some of the best places you can think of when it comes to taking a vacation during the summer. Some of the following locations are considered to be the most exciting and interesting to visit when you’re taking your RV along for the ride:
Acadia National Park is a place of remarkable beauty and a birdwatcher’s paradise in the state of Maine. From hiking and exploring to taking a canoe down the river and choosing a good camping spot, you can do a lot of things that are strictly nature-oriented, while still keeping the luxury and amenities of your RV close by.
As far as family vacations go, the Gulf Coast is one of the best destinations you can pick. This excellent summertime destination has a few beautiful RV parks you can choose from, as well as warm waters to enjoy with the kids and a lot to explore in terms of WWII history at places like the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
Every American family that owns an RV should consider visiting South Dakota at least once – and not just because it’s the place where the famous Mt. Rushmore is located. Bear Country USA and the Black Hills National Park are also famous destinations that will surprise you with their amazing, panoramic landscapes, unique and stunning rock formations and impressive array of wildlife.
Lots of people use storage units. Most of the time they arrive after the lease period is over and pick up their belongings without anyone even knowing what was in there. However, in some cases, the company owning the storage facility has to take care of emptying the unit when the lease is over and no one arrived to claim the contents anymore. This is when it’s revealed that people store some pretty weird stuff in the self-storage units they rent out.
Rare comics and memorabilia are actually not that strange, and over the years there have been items such as the first Superman comic and Burt Reynolds’ old artifacts, which have attracted a lot of attention after turning up in random storage units across the country.
Some of the stranger things that have been found, however, are pretty unbelievable. These include a rocket, rare cars, a live hand grenade and even a human leg severed from its body. Cremated remains of human bodies have also been reportedly found throughout the years, as well as actual dead bodies. The case that takes the cake was probably that of a Florida family that kept their grandmother in a casket inside a storage unit for 17 years after she had passed away.
Taking proper care of your boat is essential in the long run, as its surfaces and engine will be exposed to the elements constantly whenever you take it out. As a result, you will need the right items and the best practices for maintenance:
The first things you need will be some basic tools for taking care of the engine. If you’re not very tech savvy, then make sure you still inspect your engine regularly and have someone help you flush it with fresh water after each and every outing.
Cleaning supplies are also very important. Your boat can develop mold easily being exposed to water all the time, so it’s a good idea to use your supplies to keep it clean and dry after each time you take it out to sea.
A few electrician’s tools will also come in handy to make sure the lighting and electric system remains in good condition. Always test them before you take your boat out to make sure there are no loose contacts and that everything is working fine.
Use the right polishes, waxes and coatings to keep all the surfaces on your boat protected from sunlight, rain and salt. Pay special attention to your gelcoat, which has the role of protecting your boat’s underlying fiberglass.
Older boats can have some woodwork that you need to take care of. Most of that woodwork is teak. As a result, teak cleaners, teak oils and polishes designed especially for wood will be very important in this case, since you’ll have to make sure the wood can withstand the elements in the best possible ways. For winter months be sure to find boat and trailer storage Colorado Springs area to keep them from being weathered during the snowy months.
When boating season is done and it’s time to put away the boat and take care of other things, it’s important to know what you should do with your boat and how you should store it. Typically, most experts like American Storage agree that a thorough cleaning and checkup should be in order, and that you need to cover your boat properly and put it into storage afterwards.
Depending on the system it uses, your boat might not be very resilient when the temperature drops below a certain level. As a result, you have to make sure that you keep it in a place where the temperature fluctuations aren’t too high. A garage would be a good idea, or you could consider using a climate controlled storage unit.
Before putting your boat into storage, make sure you clean, polish and dry off all its surfaces and that you flush the engine with freshwater one last time. Dirt and moisture are a bad mix, and if your boat is left without being tended to for many months, as it might happen during the winter, then you might get some unwanted surprises in the spring, when you want to take your boat out again and check on it.
Summer is great for fun in the sun, but eventually it comes to an end. As fall sets in, you’ll want to make sure you have some of the main cleanup jobs tackled, as the changing weather can lead to problems you might not have accounted for, especially if you moved to a colder region where the autumn weather is not as forgiving as where you used to live.
Here are a few quick tips to help you deal with your fall cleanup:
Shake off the leaves and get them out of the way. Fallen leaves can lead and attract pests throughout your garden and yard, and it’s also a good idea to keep them clear of areas that are somewhat more sensitive.
Clean out your attic and roof, and make sure that neither of the two are prone to water damage. A quick inspection of your roof and attic will help you keep everything safe from the autumn rain.
Clean your shed and garage and put away all the tools, vehicles and items that are typically used in the summer. You might also need to clear some of the clutter by looking at and renting Colorado Springs storage units and getting a low cost, climate controlled storage unit that can house some of the larger or more sensitive items, vehicles and equipment.
Boats do well when they’re in the water, but they don’t always do so well when they’re exposed to the elements and the drastic temperature changes that happen during late autumn and winter. Precipitation, freezing weather and fast temperature and weather changes can easily damage your boat, so that it can look and feel worse for wear when spring comes.
It definitely pays to keep your boat inside during the winter, especially if you live in an area where precipitation is heavy and your boat can be buried in snow in just a single night. Searching for storage units near me for boat storage is a must.
The first enemy that you’ll be fending off by keeping your boat safely tucked away in your garage or inside a storage unit is rust. Boats made mainly out of metal can easily end up rusting if they’re not kept away from rain, snow and ice.
Hail can also be very damaging, especially if you have seats and electronics stored on your boat that can be damaged easily by a passing hail storm.
Finally, the changes in temperature can cause some metals to dilate and contract quite quickly which can lead to both external and internal damage. If you don’t keep your boat away from such temperature fluctuations, you might find that it’ll stop working entirely by the time spring arrives.
When the spring comes, you will want to avoid any major repairs to your RV that could cost a lot of money and entail a great deal of hassle. To do so, it’s important to winterize your RV before the winter comes, and comfortably keep it in storage until the cold months of winter blow away.
In order to properly winterize your RV, you have to first ensure that no lingering water remains that can damage its internal structure and systems. Once water freezes inside your RV it can cause a lot of damage. So make sure you have the following points covered:
Drain your black and gray water tanks to prevent them from freezing and breeding bacteria.
Drain all water lines as well as your water heater.
Bypass or remove entirely any water filters that you might have in your RV.
Additionally, it’s good practice to protect all your water lines and plumbing by introducing antifreeze into your RV. After removing all the water and pressurizing the system by closing all faucets, introduce the antifreeze. Use a water pump for pressurization, and then turn on the faucets until you start to see the antifreeze liquid coming out of each fixture. Make sure to repeat the process for both the cold and warm water system. For safe keeping look to the RV storage Colorado Springs options for indoor climate controlled spaces.
A good boat can be very robust when you take it out to sea, but it can become extremely fragile when left in storage for a long period of time, especially in the winter and in a storage unit or a garage that doesn’t have proper climate control.
The first thing you have to think about is the engine. Depending on the type of engine or motor your boat has, you’ll have to take precautions, such as removing any liquids that might freeze or cause damage and rust to set in.
Keeping your boat covered is very important as well. You don’t want the elements to affect it too much, and you have to make sure it stays dry. So, if you plan to keep your boat in a place that could flood or sustain water damage because of a leaky roof, make sure you use proper covering to prevent water and low temperatures from causing too much damage.
Finally, make sure you hire a reliable boat storage Colorado Springs company to help you find the perfect storage unit. Although you might be fine storing your boat at home, if you want the best possible protection, a properly sized, well-designed, climate-controlled storage unit is your best option.
If you want to move to a new house, it’s important to know whether you should pack all your items on your own, or hire a moving company to help you out with that. Some movers will help you by default, unless you specify that you don’t need any help. Others will still be able to give you a lot of good advice, even if you opt for a more individualistic approach.
The obvious choice of hiring it out should be reserved for the following scenarios:
You have a lot of items and not much time on your hands.
Many of the items you want to move are very fragile and/or require special treatment and special packaging.
It’s your first time moving to a new house.
You don’t have enough helpers to get you through the packing process in enough time.
That being said, if you’re confident that you can pack everything without risking any damage during the move and without wasting too much of your precious time on it, then it’s a good idea to opt to pack for the move yourself – especially if this isn’t your first rodeo.
Regardless of whether you choose to do it yourself or not, however, it’s always a good idea to at least contact your local movers at https://www.american-storage.net/, ask them about any special prices and services they might have to offer regarding packaging, and inquire about any advice they may be able to give you, to make your move easier.
