Self-Storage Tips To Help Minimize Moisture Damage

By providing storage space on an as-needed basis, self-storage facilities (such as Koch St Mini Storage) usually take away most of the stress that accompanies the moving process. Add to this the fact that the storage space usually comes with added benefits such as 24-hour security and it is easy to understand why demand for these units has been on a consistent rise.  

However, packing as much property as you can in a limited space that is not under your complete control can expose it to a number of risks. One of the most common ones is water damage. The following are storage tips that you can use to limit your property's exposure to moisture damage.

Keep your valuables off the floor

The fact that storage facilities can rent out storage space to a large number of people usually affords them economies of scale. This is one of the main reasons why using storage units is relatively cheaper. The problem is that this usually leaves your property vulnerable to the mistakes of other storage unit owners. 

A good example is water spills from an adjacent unit. This water can find its way into your storage unit and thus damaging any valuables such as your paintings, sofas and any carpets. Water can also get in through a leaking roof. Melting ice can also cause moisture to enter your unit.

Pallets can be used to keep sofas and boxes higher up from the ground. And so can sizeable pieces of wood. Using them in your storage unit could go a long way towards helping to protect your property from water damage.

Mind your packing

It is advisable that you empty your fridge of any liquids and food. This is because the presence of water in your appliances increases the risks of water spills. Rotting food sometimes produces moisture. Ridding cans and any kitchen appliances of foodstuff will, therefore, help to avoid the formation of this moisture.

It is also important to note that while plastic bags may be useful in helping to protect your valuables against external water sources, they usually increase the risks of condensation. Tightly wrapping moisture-sensitive property like paintings in plastic bags is, therefore, inadvisable.

Take advantage of desiccants

The moisture in your unit's air can encourage mold formation on furniture and other valuables. And while installing a humidifier in the unit is an effective way of keeping it moisture-free, it's not the cheapest and most convenient solution, especially if you are renting the unit for a couple of days or weeks. In such a case, using desiccants is advisable. Substances such as silica gel are good at absorbing moisture from the air. Placing them in your unit is, therefore, a cost effective method of avoiding moisture-related problems. The only thing that you should keep in mind is that you will have to replace the substances regularly in order to maintain their moisture-absorbing properties.

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