Take special care for storing appliances, furniture and machines.
We are happy you are considering us for your storage needs.
Our facility accommodates both residential and commercial storage requirements.
We hope the information we provide here is helpful to you. Our friendly staff
is always ready to assist you with your storage strategy.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only.
Heritage Self Storage shall not be liable for any errors in the content,
nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Storage Suggestions - Plan, Plan, Plan
Make a list of the things you'll pack. You will thank yourself later.
Before you even start to box things up, devise a simple record keeping system.
This can be a basic computer text file with numbered list entries, or you
can use a spiral-bound notebook for this. Think about the items you will
pack. Group them as if you are placing them in a certain box. This
list will help you determine how many boxes you need.
Make a list of all the packing supplies you need.
Such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, marking pens, damp rid, rope, and pallets.
Having enough boxes will make your life easier. If you purchase boxes from
a storage/moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund.
Use unprinted paper for wrapping, as newspaper can stain your items, or use
bubble wrap to safely cushion breakables.
Visit the storage facility.
Bring along your list of items you plan to store to show to the manager.
The manager can help you determine the correct size for your needs and
show you around the units so you can get an idea of the sizes available.
Read the lease so you are aware of company policies on move in/move out,
rent and other important information.
Make a packing strategy.
Try to use boxes that are a uniform size -- these are easier to stack.
Have a color system.
Choose a color for each room in the house or for each category of items you pack.
Then apply a sticker of the correct color to each box so that you know what
room in the home (or category) the box is associated with.
Tips on Packing
If you have a moving deadline, start packing ahead of time.
If it is summer, then start packing with the winter clothes. Box up other
items you won't be needing immediately.
Keep things together - especially loose parts.
Keep remote controls packed with the item they control. Place nuts, bolts, and screws
in an envelope and tape it under the item it belongs to. Keep cables together
with the devices they belong to, also keep the manual or a hand-drawn diagram
on how the cables are hooked-up so that you can get the device working again when
you unpack it.
Label those boxes.
Along with color coding the boxes with stickers, be sure to mark with
big letters what is in each box. Try to be as specific as possible.
Mark the top of the box, as well as the sides of the box.
Check the weight of each box.
Try to fill boxes to the top. Boxes that are only half full tend to collapse if
other items are placed on top of them. Use wardrobe boxes to pack clothes that
hang. Pack hanging items tightly so they don't swing around. You can use the extra
space at the bottom of these wardrobe boxes to store other items. Make sure
the boxes you pack are not too heavy -- distribute heavy items to different
boxes so that the boxes don't break -- or injure the person who has to lift it.
Loading Your Storage Unit
Leave a small walkway for easy access.
Leave space for a small walkway between the boxes and furniture in your
unit so you can easily get to the items you want without having to
move stuff around.
Leave space around your items and the unit's wall to allow air to circulate.
This helps avoid condensation and mildew buildup. Laying plastic sheeting on the
unit floor or using pallets also helps.
Store frequently used items at the front of the unit.
Doing this avoids having to search for them.
Make sure appliances are clean and dry before storing them.
Leaving appliance doors slightly ajar helps prevent mildew.
Protect your items.
Cover items with moving pads, sheets, or light blankets to protect them.
Special care for machine tools.
Drain and clean all debris from equipment before you store them.
If you are storing any machinery that runs on gas, drain the tank
before you store it. If storing metal machines or tools, rubbing a
small amount of machine oil on them helps prevent rusting. Applying
rust protector to these items is another alternative.
Special care for mirrors and paintings.
Store mirrors and paintings on end, not flat.
Do not use plastic to cover your belongings.
Covering items with plastic retains moisture; cover them with light blankets
instead. Plastic is a good ground cover. In other words, place your items 'on top' of
a ground cover of plastic sheeting, but do not place plastic 'on top' of your items.
