Common ways items get damaged in storage

Storage should be a place that safeguards your items. However, in some situations, it could be quite the opposite. Moisture, mold, pests, are the most common threats in storage. Unfortunately, there are other situations that could compromise your items’ wellbeing as well. That is why it is very important to choose your storage carefully and to insure your possessions. Even if you think that your storage is perfect and that nothing can happen. In this section of your favorite Master Moving Guide, we will take a look at the most common ways items get damaged in storage and what you can do to avoid it.

What is your reason for storing items?

There are many different reasons why people use storage.  Storing excess items that you do not want to get rid of for good. Temporary emptying a home because of renovation. Moving to a smaller home. And more. Some situations, however, are riskier for your items than others are. When you are storing your excess items, for example, you will take time and make sure that your items are packed properly.

However, when you are moving and you suddenly realize that your items cannot fit in your new home. Or when you are renovating and you are in a hurry to get those items out your items could end up in some improper storage facility without proper protection. That is why if you are moving, ask your dorm room movers to pay special attention to packing. Or if you are doing a home renovation, call a professional packing service and let them pack your stuff.

Time will inevitably affect your items

Time spent in storage is one of the most important factors that will determine your items’ condition. Of course, the more time passes the bigger the chance that your items will get damaged in storage. However, in an unsuitable environment, your items could deteriorate much quicker than you hoped for.  This especially refers to wooden items in a wet environment or in storage heavily infested with pests.  Of course, you do not need moisture or rats to destroy your items. Natural time flow will eventually get to your items. Luckily there are ways to extend your items’ life.

Pack your items well if you want to prolong their lifespan

Be thorough when packing for storage. Use quality packing materials and appropriate packing techniques. This and renting a climate-controlled storage unit can extend your items’ life significantly.

Moisture is one of the most common ways items get damaged in storage

Moisture and mold are probably the most common ways stuff can get destroyed in storage. It could be structural dampness that is coming from the walls. Or it could come from condensation caused by temperature fluctuations. Whatever is the case, your items will not last long in such an environment.  Especially wooden items, metal parts, mechanical equipment, or electronics. That is why it is very important to choose your storage carefully. And hire professional moving assistance that will know how to pack your items properly.

How to avoid wet storages

When you are renting a storage unit, however, pay close attention. Small signs could reveal whether a place has moisture issues or not. Look for dump stains on the walls or chipped off pain or parts of the wall. Pay attention to mold. If you see mold on a wall (you can often find it in corners or lower parts of the wall) it is a clear sign that place has moisture issues.  Unfortunately, some facilities do a good job of hiding those red flags. So you can try to rely on your sense of smell. Moisture has a distinctive smell. And you can easily smell it if you pay attention.

Pests are one of the quickest ways items get damaged in storage

Pests are also one of the most common reasons items get damaged in self-storage. And there are many different kinds of pests that lurk from unattended storage units. Of course, it all depends on your location. Still, the most common pests that could be found in almost every part of the US are rats, mice, termites, bedbugs, and carpenter ants. Naturally, some materials are more susceptible than others. Wood, leather, different kinds of cloth, and similar. Therefore, if you are storing such items in a storage unit pay close attention to pests.  Luckily, pests are usually easy to get rid of.

How to protect your items from pests inside a storage

Before you start loading your items, check your storage space. See if the facility is handling possible threats properly. The easiest way to check this is to ask the management about it. And to pay attention to whether there are critter bait stations deployed around the facility. Also, when you are inside your storage unit, look for alternative entrances that those menaces could use and seal them.

Next, use appropriate pest control products to treat the space. Of course, you can call professional pest control to give you a hand. This is a much better option as they will do the job much better than you could. Moreover, you will not be handling dangerous poisons and chemicals on your own. Finally, before you start loading your items, clean them thoroughly. If you don’t you could easily carry in pests with along with your items.

There are other ways items get damaged in storage

Those are the most common ways items get damaged in storage. However, those are not the only ways. Improper stacking, fire, flood, or even thieves could also become reasons why you lost your stuff in a place that was intended to safeguard them. Luckily, such situations do not come often.