Storage units are a great way to put your belongings away while on long travels or if you're downsizing to a home with less space. Whether you're a pack rat who simply can't part with precious belongings or an average resident who could use a little extra space, there are ways to organize your least-used, but still important, belongings without throwing them away. Before you fill up the car or truck with your belongings, make sure to take a few precautions to make sure that your property is well-maintained while you're away.

Outside Climate And Environment Inspection

Depending on the type of storage unit, there may be a few outside conditions that you need to plan for. Look for self storage units that have a closing door and a sturdy frame to protect your unit from outside elements. A well-sealed frame is preferred, but you don't need to have a near air-tight seal for most purposes.

Inspect the outside environment to understand what sort of risks you may be dealing with. By asking a few questions, you can know what to expect when a mishap occurs and plan ways to mitigate future damage.

• Is the storage area in a flood plain? This determines how likely a flood may fill your storage room. This is an especially big problem if the door doesn't close with a sufficient seal.
• Are rain storms and flooding a common occurrence in the area? Even if your storage unit is in a flood plain, knowing how often the area actually floods can add some comfort.
• Is it humid often? Whether you're dealing with a storage room, a house or a business building, humidity can affect your goods.
• What are the local insects and animals that could get inside? Know the pests that could pose a threat to your goods and invest in repellent or ask for building improvements to defend against the pests.

Climate And Environment Control

To combat many of these issues, you should first find a storage facility that has as few risks as possible. If your selection is limited, you'll need to use a few techniques or devices to make the situation better.

For humidity issues, a dehumidifier is necessary. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air and release a drier supply of air into the room. You can't simply buy any dehumidifier and expect it to work; dehumidifiers are rated for certain room sizes and humidity exposure. You'll need to know the dimensions of the storage unit (length, width and height) and have the storage facility management patch up any leaks that could make the area more damp than necessary.

To combat pests,openings to the outside need to be closed off. This may mean filling cracks with caulk or silicone putty, or it could mean having the area renovated before moving your belongings in. If necessary, get insect repellent or traps in order to keep pest problems down, and seal your more sensitive belongings in containers.

Contact a professional self storage facility, like North Star Mini Storage, to discuss your storage options and discuss their options for keeping your belongings safer.