When you rent a storage unit, your biggest concern is probably security. For good reason–you want your personal belongings to be in a safe location.

But a lot of people overlook the conditions that standard storage units provide. This includes a lack of protection from extreme temperatures. Customers can sometimes neglect to consider the effects of temperature on their belongings.

If you live in an area like Chilliwack where temperatures can drop below freezing, heated storage units are a must. The information below explains how heated storage works and specific situations where it is essential. It lays out how this feature can help preserve your items so that you can determine if it is the right upgrade for your storage needs.

How Do Heated Storage Units Work?

Heated storage units become fully operational in colder months when the temperature drops, in order to safeguard your belongings and valuables from freezing. In heated storage facilities, forced air heating is used to keep warm, dry air moving throughout the building for all mini storage units.

One benefit is protecting temperature-sensitive items from the cold; the other is creating an environment that can better mitigate humidity levels as well. Humidity can damage items or lead to environments conducive to mould and mildew growth.

The major advantage of heated storage units compared to standard storage is the protection for your items against the effects of extreme ranges of temperature.

Items That Need Heated Storage

If you live in a climate prone to extreme temperature fluctuations, delicate items in standard storage units could be in danger. For instance, extreme cold can make plastics brittle and prone to cracking. This can be a threat to electronics, including computer equipment, as well as appliances that have plastic parts.

Extreme temperatures can damage wood as well. This includes musical instruments, furniture, or other items.

Important documents and photographs also can become damaged from humidity and colder temperatures. Even clothes or other fabrics can develop mould or mildew in these conditions. In short, if you wouldn’t leave an item out in the cold weather, then you need a heated storage unit to protect it.

Find Heated Storage Units Near Me

Now that you have an idea of the advantages of heated storage units over standard ones, you can decide if they are right for you. You can have the peace of mind that your items are secure and safe from the harmful effects of extreme cold temperatures.

At Access Mini Storage we have over 1600 heated storage units in a variety of sizes, with state-of-the-art, 24/7 security. Contact us today for pricing, availability, or to learn more about our short- and long-term storage solutions at our storage facilities in Chilliwack.

Renovations are revving up. Canadian homeowners spent more than $80 billion on home renovations in 2019 alone.

If you want to increase the value of your house, you should consider a home renovation. Yet you also need to consider the impact of your renovation on your belongings. One way to avoid damaging your things is through self-storage.

What are the threats to your belongings during a renovation? How should you pack your belongings so you can access everything? How can you leave room inside your house?

Answer these questions and you can have an effective and affordable self-storage experience. Here is your quick guide.

Protect Equipment From Renovation Debris

The home remodel process can create a lot of debris. Workers will try to keep your belongings safe.

But the process of adding new flooring or walling can throw dust and woodchips on your items. Renovations can also cause pests like carpenter ants to enter your home.

You should remove whatever you can remove from your house. Put it inside a storage unit and place a tarp overtop.

It is okay to use plastic wrap for glass or small objects. But you should not wrap wooden objects in plastic. The water inside the wood can evaporate and become trapped in the plastic, warping the surfaces of your items.

Keep Essential Items Accessible

Learn how to pick the right size for your storage unit. You should find a unit big enough to accommodate all your belongings. But it should be small so you can access everything you need in a few paces.

Everything that you need for your daily life should stay close to you. You should keep medications and personal papers inside a bag or binder.

If an essential item has to go inside your storage space, you should put it in a cardboard box. Then place the box toward the front of the unit. Clear out a path so you can go right up to it and take what you need.

Keep Valuable Items Safe

Electronics, keepsakes, and other valuables can go into any number of storage solutions. But you should be smart about how you arrange your belongings.

Put bulky and heavy objects on the floor of your unit. If you need to stack objects on top of each other, lean them against a wall or corner. Wrap fragile belongings with bubble wrap so they do not break.

Leave Room for Home Renovation Work

Pieces of furniture can impede the movement of workers. Try to remove chairs, desks, and tables from your home. If you have a couch, break it down into its individual components and remove all of them.

It is okay to leave a rug or shelves in a room. But you should tell your renovation company about them. They can plan around their presence and avoid using tools that may break them.

Get Your Self-Storage Unit

A home renovation is good for homes but bad for belongings. Workers can spread dust and debris that can damage your furniture and possessions.

You should move what you own into a self-storage unit. Cover your belongings in tarps and plastic wrap.

Put your essentials in boxes and leave them toward the front of your unit. Valuable items should go on the floor so they don’t fall over. Make sure to leave room for the renovators.

For easily accessible, convenient self-storage units in the Chilliwack area, contact the experts at Access Mini Storage Ltd to reserve a unit.