Name: Stop and Store Self Storage Lowestoft
Brand: lowestoftselfstorage
Rating: 4.8 (97 reviews)

Sometimes people only need the use of a self storage facility for a short period. Some of these reasons are that they are waiting to move into a new home and need to keep their furniture safely. Another reason is that while they are carrying out renovations on their home they need to keep their belongings out of the way. Whatever the reason, a short-term self storage period is considered to be for periods of up to three months.

What we consider long-term storage is when people require the use of a self storage unit for longer periods. Some may need it for 6 months to a year, and some for even longer than this. We find that many of our customers needing long-term storage are looking to live and work abroad for a year or more. They may have a contract to work in Singapore for a year, for example, and know that they will be back. They do not want to sell off their belongings only to have to replace them all when they return home. So, renting a unit at a self storage facility is the best way to ensure that their belongings will be kept in a safe environment for as long as they are away.

Another reason for using long-term storage is if they decide to rent their house or apartment out unfurnished or partially furnished while they are away. They will need a place to store their furnishings while they are away. The obvious solution to this is a unit in a self storage facility.

Preparing Your Belongings for Long-Term Storage

There is more to the successful storage of your goods than just throwing them into a box and placing them in your unit. There are some precautionary steps to take before storing your goods for the long term. This way, they will be in good shape when it is time to take them out of long-term storage. This should be your goal when you decide to store your goods for a long time.

1. Use New Boxes
  
  If you choose to use cardboard boxes, we advise our clients to buy new, sturdy cardboard boxes. Used boxes that you obtain from your local store may contain moisture and even be infested with bugs which will hatch out in the dark unit when they are packed away. Old boxes are also not as strong and tend to collapse or tear apart when they are stacked up.
  
  Plastic bins are also good to store your belongings. They may even have wheels to make them easy to move and be built to be stackable. They will keep their shape for the duration of your storage.
  
  Never use plastic bags to pack your belongings. Any moisture will be trapped and will cause their contents to rot. Plastic bags also tend to disintegrate after a while and fall apart, scattering your belongings around.
2. Packing Fragile Items and Appliances
  
  Wrap breakables such as crockery and glassware in newsprint paper and bubble wrap. You can also use clothing and bedding to pad the boxes containing fragile items.
  
  Appliances need to be drained of all water and cleaned out properly. Any water that finds its way into the storage unit will allow mildew and mould to form, both of which will cause extensive damage to your stored items.
3. Tv’s and Electronics
  
  Pack them in the boxes they arrived in if you still have those, otherwise wrap them up carefully. When placing them in your storage unit, do not place anything on top of them.
4. Furnishings
  
  Vacuum and clean all soft furnishings and mattresses. Disassemble any furniture and wrap them in clean drop sheets or even duvets and sheets. When you pack upholstered furniture in your unit, make sure that it lies flat and not on its side as the stuffing will drop on that side. Wooden furniture should not be wrapped in plastic as wood sweats, and this moisture will be trapped. This moisture will damage the item.
5. No Foodstuffs
  
  No food, not even canned food, should be stored long-term. Check your fridges and containers for any food residue, as any food can attract rodents and pests. Food will rot and create a very smelly environment in your unit, which is something that you want to avoid.
6. Moisture and Bugs
  
  The golden rule for successful long-term storage is to make sure that everything that is stored away in your unit is 100% dry and check that there is no insect infestation anywhere. If there is any chance of any bugs in your furniture or clothing, spray with insecticide. Moisture and bugs can cause major damage to your items. This is even more important if you intend to store your stuff for the long term as it may be many months before you check on your unit, at which time the damage wrought may be considerable.
7. Label Your Boxes
  
  You are sure to forget where you packed things after a while, so label your boxes in detail, and even make a small map to keep at the front of your unit showing which box is where. This will save a lot of guesswork when the time comes to clear out your unit.

Choosing your self storage facility for long-term storage means looking for favourable rates, checking out the security so that you can leave your belongings with confidence that they will be looked after and not go missing, and finding the right sized unit where you can fit everything in. The facility also needs to be clean and well-maintained to minimize the risk of pest infestations.

Why Use Stop & Store Lowestoft

If you are interested in finding out how Stop & Store Lowestoft can help you with the long-term storage of your belongings and have any questions regarding how to pack your goods up with a minimal risk of damage, please contact us.

Going Abroad for a Year? Prepare Your Belongings for Self Storage