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.
When you’re moving to a new home, knowing the size of the truck and storage compartment you’ll need to move your items is an essential thing, especially when you’re moving far away. In some cases, making two or more trips can be detrimental or expensive, and it can also end up making you waste a lot of unnecessary time.
The first step is to figure out the number of cubic feet of space you’ll need for the move. Depending on the sizes and number of your boxes, as well as your furniture and appliances, you can calculate this number quite easily. These days there are also online moving calculators to help you determine the size in a more precise way.
You also have to ask yourself how the items could fit together, whether or not you’ll be moving a lot of fragile items or vehicles, and whether or not your budget can handle a larger truck size. Also, do you have any oversized items that will require special treatment?
The easiest way to decide is when you’re stuck between two sizes. In that case, always pick the larger one, since the smaller truck could entail a risk that you’ll fall short of the space you need. Many of the best storage units Colorado Springs has to rent will be able to help you figure out which unit will suit your needs.
A lot of the time, when you’re planning to store items long term, the mini storage Colorado Springs representatives will draw your attention to a list of items that you should avoid storing. This is typically to avoid having to clean and repair storage units that are damaged by decomposing perishables or flammable items that could easily cause a fire.
However, aside from these items, there are also others you have to avoid keeping in storage, not because of the damage that they could cause to the unit itself, but because of how they can damage your other belongings over time.
Some chemicals, such as fuel oils and the acids found in batteries are good examples of this. Although some of these are not likely to be too dangerous, they can end up damaging other items you store them with, especially on a long term basis.
Moist and scented items are the same, and the added moisture can also facilitate the formation of mold and mildew, which could spell disaster for any furniture items you might be storing.
Finally, avoid placing high value, sensitive and fragile items in tightly packed storage compartments. Over time, environmental stressors or earthquakes could lead to them being easily damaged or broken as a result of a fall, or if another item falls on top of them.
Finding the right storage Colorado Springs CO company for summer storage might seem like a straightforward thing to do. However, it’s usually a lot more hassle than it seems, since summer storage needs some added features that not all storage companies can provide.
First of all, you’ll have to know exactly what you want to store and what categories those items will fall into. For instance, if nothing you store is temperature or climate-sensitive, and you’re just looking to unclutter some of your living space without keeping your items out in the open, then one of the cheaper storage units will do. However, if you’re storing chemicals, flammable items, gardening materials or anything that could be damaged in an overly warm space, then you will have to look for a dependable storage company offering climate-controlled, secure units that you can easily access at short notice.
Being able to check on your items is as important as the climate control itself, since you’ll want to be able to make sure that nothing happened to them. For some fragile and expensive items, doing so could help you avoid losing thousands of dollars just by discovering a problem sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, finding the best deals should involve looking for the right storage unit first, and then comparing it with what other (cheaper and more expensive) storage providers can offer. That way you’ll have the best chance to find the most competitive price for what you need specifically.
The standard storage units available from storage space providers are not airtight, but most storage unit companies offer a wide range of units to rent, airtight compartments included. Airtight units are the top of the range – here are the benefits offered by airtight storage units:
Stable climate – sensitive objects can be severely impacted by changing climate conditions. Airtight units eliminate the risk not only by preventing the penetration of rain and snow from the outside, but also by maintaining the temperature and the humidity of the air inside the container at stable levels. Storage places have climate controlled storage Colorado Springs area so there is no need to worry;
Protection from pests – insects, rodents and birds can make their way through the tiniest hole or gap and they can cause lots of property damage. With airtight units, you can be sure that no such pests can find their way inside your compartment;
Enhanced security – airtight units are mostly used for valuable and sensitive items that need not only a stable climate, but the highest level of security as well. Storage space providers are aware of such requirements, therefore most of their airtight units are fitted with surveillance cameras and they also benefit from standard security features, such as human guards and perimeter fencing.
Furniture, especially expensive, high-end furniture, is built to last for long years, but it is intended for being used in controlled circumstances, in rooms that are dry and sheltered from the vicissitudes of the weather. Most furnishing items, especially the ones that are made partially or completely from wood, cannot last in damp, excessively cold or hot environments, at least not for long, so if you want to move such items to a storage facility, the best solution is to choose a climate controlled unit. Here are a few things that you should know about the option:
The highest level of safety for your valuable furniture – climatized storage units are airtight and equipped with climate control to make sure that no dust, dampness and pests enter the storage unit and to ensure stable temperature, all these features being essential for storing you furnishing items safe from damage;
The highest level of security for your expensive furnishing items – if the pieces that you want to move to a storage unit are high-end or antique furnishing items, you surely want to protect them from intruders as well. Most storage facilities are equipped with top-notch security features, including surveillance camera systems and are also protected with human and canine guards. Get your next move scheduled https://american-storage.net/.
Some storage space providers work with opening hours similar to office hours, but many companies such as American Storage have realized the importance of providing their customers round the clock access to the rented unit, so finding a storage company that is open 24/7 is easy these days. Here are the benefits of renting a storage unit that you can access whenever you want:
Round the clock security surveillance – most storage unit providers equip their facility with multiple security features, using human guards, dogs as well as surveillance through security cameras;
Access to your rented unit whenever you want – most of us have hectic schedules that do not allow us to leave our work or other duties during standard office hours. The storage facilities that offer round the clock access to rented compartments are great for us, busy people, because they grant access to the storage compartments any time, during the day and at night, on weekdays and in weekends alike. The categories of clients that can benefit from round the clock access include businesses that start work early, such as gardeners, people who work in shifts or usually finish late during the day, busy mothers who spend the day taking care of the kids and can access to their storage unit after the kids have been put into bed or before they wake up.
One of the major issues that well kept storage facilities in Colorado Springs and other areas are faced with is the loss caused by abandoned storage units – units that have been rented and filled, but for which the renter has not paid the fee for over three months. The standard solution for the problem is to seize the unit with all its contents and to auction the items stored in the unit. If you are interested in this type of treasure hunting, here are some tips for you:
Contact the storage facilities in your region – the fastest and easiest way to find out about auctions is by contacting the facilities in your area to ask them about the days when they have live auctions;
Be prepared to pay a small fee – while most auctions are free to join, requiring bidders only to pay the price they have bid for, some events, especially the ones offered by large facilities, can be joined for a small fee;
Take your time – be prepared that the bidding process will take some of your time, usually 3-4 hours;
Have some cash on you – many facilities accept only cash payments for auctioned units, so make sure you have as much cash with you as you can spend on the bid.
Renting a storage unit can be very useful in different circumstances: keeping various seasonal items ready for the next use, minimizing clutter, storing professional or personal belongings during relocations etc. Basically, with a storage unit you can save time and space when you need them most – and that`s the main benefit.
You can store a wide variety of things: sporting equipment, gardening equipment, household items (furniture, books, clothes, kitchen supplies, office supplies, clothes etc.) commercial goods, electronics (TVs, gaming systems, computer equipment etc.) and unplugged appliances. You can find car storage Colorado Springs area too!
However, it is good to know that some items are not allowed to be stored.
Weapons
Firearms and ammunition represent particular items, with particular storage requirements that are not provided by a storage renting company.
Hazardous materials
Anything that can catch fire or explode is prohibited: propane, gasoline, chemicals, paint, fireworks etc.
Toxic materials
A storage unit is also not a place for fertilizers, bio waste, radioactive waste or illegal substances.
Food items
Food items (including pet food) are perishable, so they encourage bacteria and attract rodents and bugs, therefore their storage in such units is forbidden.
Living plants and animals
Storage units are designed for non-living things. Nothing that requires food, water and light can be stored there.
Renting a storage unit is an option considered by many people and has become a very profitable business. Storage rental places allow you to keep your belongings safe even if there is no room for them in your house. It is an excellent way to declutter and also to store your things while you relocate or during a home renovation project.
There are different types of storage units Colorado Springs CO are designed to accommodate most individual needs. They have different names (personal storage, mini storage etc.) and provide various amounts of space, rental periods and features. Security is provided, but it comes in different forms: locks, key card access, code access, security cameras, security guards, door alarms, permanent on-site management etc.
Basically, you can opt for outside storage and indoor storage.
Outside storage is more common, especially for storing vehicles, because they are less affected by the elements than other personal belongings. This type of storage is also more affordable, because it provides only a covered unit, typically partitioned by wire mesh.
On the other hand, indoor storage provides a safe environment for other objects that could not be stored outdoors: furniture, documents, household appliances etc. It is even possible to rent climate controlled units if you need them.
Self storage is a huge business in the US, taking up about 2.3 billion feet of space. And it seems that it is here to stay for a very long time.
Speaking about time… If you rented a storage unit and plan to keep it indefinitely, maybe you wonder what will happen to it if you die. There are several possible scenarios, depending on whether you have or haven`t provided access to someone else.
If you have given access to another person, things are simple: that person can go to the place, empty it out and close the contract.
On the other hand, if you didn`t give access to your storage unit to anyone, the executor of your estate can be granted access once they present the necessary paperwork.
There is also a third scenario, if you never told anyone about your storage unit. In this case, someone close to you might find about it if they have access to your mail (facility managers typically send a letter before foreclosing) or to your credit card or bank statements, where there are listed your monthly or annual charges for the storage facility.
Boats can have many different purposes. Some use them for fishing, for recreational activities, for transportation, while others depend on them because they are essential for their job. Boats, like any passion, require quite a lot of time and attention. They have to be protected and maintained, in order to be used for as long as possible. The most efficient way to protect a boat is to store it somewhere inside like a public storage Colorado Springs area unit or garage, because this is the only way to avoid the risks associated with exposure to the elements.
An effective way to protect it is storing it in a metal container. Renting storage containers offers completely flexible and customizable storage solutions.
This type of garage for a boat is a solid metal construction, very convenient and affordable. Besides keeping your boat away from damaging factors such as sun exposure, hailstorms, humidity and cold, there are other significant advantages of storing it in a container: first of all, you can keep the boat on private property, without paying rent for a place in a harbor; secondly, it is also convenient because you can perform any cleaning and maintenance operation at your own pace. Any nautical equipment can be stored in these containers.
Furniture sliders are an excellent and overall affordable means of getting your furniture to move more easily. Heavy items such as shelves, couches and large cabinets can be hard to move around, and they can make your work more difficult when you plan to load them into your storage unit. But with the help of furniture sliders, you can get the job done faster and with less physical work.
Furniture sliders are special sliders made from a smooth surface that can be placed under your furniture, allowing it to slide more easily across different surfaces. These sliders also have the role of protecting your floors and surfaces, as you can slide the furniture without risking to scratch or damage your flooring in any way.
These sliders work especially well on hardwood flooring, but they also work on metal and other materials. Sliding your furniture into a self storage Colorado Springs area unit will be very easy, and it won’t require much effort to get it properly into place.
The great thing about furniture sliders is that they can eliminate some of the workforce involved in moving heavy furniture items. Even though you might still need two people to move a couch, you won’t have to be as athletic, and in some cases, one person will be enough to move furniture that would normally have required two or three strong individuals.
