FOLLOW THESE WINTER PREP STEPS:
1. PREPARE FOR FLOODING.
With enough snow accumulation, some
outdoor storage units can be affected by flooding. If you think that flooding
is a possibility at your storage unit, it is a good idea to put your things on
pallets. Pallets should place your things high enough to avoid the kind of
flooding that comes from heavy snow accumulation.
2. CONSIDER PUTTING THINGS IN
WATER TIGHT BOXES.
Cardboard does not hold up well to water.
Even a little water exposure will turn cardboard into a soggy mess. The water
will rapidly spread to the things inside the box, which can be ruinous. And, if
you attempt to pick up the box, it will come apart in your hands. To avoid
these unpleasant outcomes, put your things in water tight plastic bins. The
bins will keep the water out and can be used over and over. They also hold up
to repeated use better than cardboard, making them a useful investment.
3. PROTECT ITEMS THAT ARE
SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE.
Some items can be harmed by significant
changes in temperature, either by the cold directly or by the shift back and
forth from cold to hot. Musical instruments and pieces of artwork are two of
the most obvious, but there are others, including anything with liquid in and
electronics. Lawnmowers, weed eaters and other small engines may benefit from
fuel stabilizer as well if you are going to leave them for the winter. That or
you can drain the fuel from them for winter storage. Think about what you are
storing and determine if these items will be damaged by the cold. If so,
seriously consider putting them in a climate-controlled unit. These units are
more expensive, but they are the best option for temperature sensitive items.
4. PLACE COVERINGS OVER YOUR
FURNITURE.
Some furniture can be negatively affected
by extreme cold, such as wood furniture. If you have nice wood furniture or any
other furniture that you are worried about being damaged by the cold, place a
covering over it. You can use blankets, tarps or anything else that will
provide a small layer of insulation over the furniture. If you are going to put
coverings over your nice furniture, you might think about choosing waterproof
coverings. The waterproof coverings will not only provide insulation but
protect against any water that might leak in from a damaged roof.
5. GRAB THE THINGS YOU NEED FOR
THE SEASON.
Since you are going to be in your storage
unit anyway, you might as well see if there is anything you need for the coming
cold. Many people use self-storage to keep things like winter clothing and
other winter-related gear, such as sleds, skis, and snowboards. You may find
that you have a number of items you can use in storage. You can also put things
in storage that you are not going to need for the winter, like summer clothing.
6. GUARD YOUR THINGS AGAINST
PESTS.
Critters like mice, rats, and insects
tend to head indoors when the cold weather arrives. Your storage unit may be
the ideal home for these pests, especially if you have any nice, warm furniture
inside. There are a few things you can use to prevent pests, including cedar
wood, plastic wrapping, and poison.