Pinpointing Clean, Controlled, Secure Self-Storage Options

Do you need to protect valuable clothing, electronics with exposed inner components, or other sensitive materials during long-term storage? Although putting everything in a box can help the situation to an extent, problems like humidity, theft, or heat stress can still get through some containers. Here are a few storage unit options to help you understand what you need and whether you're dealing with quality features.

Climate Control Options

Many objects can rot, lose their color, tear apart as their fabric or materials spread apart, or otherwise deteriorate because of humidity. Whether it's because of a roof leak of humid air that hangs throughout the area or it's because of something else, you'll need a climate control system in the storage facility to combat the problem.

Air conditioning is the most basic form of climate control and humidity removal, as it removes some humidity from the air as a passive part of the cooling process. Air conditioning is also necessary to avoid heat damage or cooling contraction damage (contraction being the opposite of thermal expansion), which can be a major problem for electronics and metal machinery.

If air conditioning's passive humidity control isn't enough, dehumidifiers are an option. Look for either storage facilities that have dehumidifiers built into the storage units or units that have electrical outlets for customers in order to connect your own climate control device.

Storage Facility Security

To prevent theft, a set of physical security, surveillance, and personnel security options can be used.

At the very least, go for storage facilities that are either indoors or protected by tall perimeter fences or walls. The idea is to control visitor traffic, making it harder for a thief to look like a casual bystander. An indoor facility creates fewer spaces to hide and more opportunities to be on camera if cameras are available.

Security cameras are the next option, but you need to make sure that they're actually working. Some businesses install mock/fake cameras to act as simple deterrents, or they fail to turn the cameras on. Pick a date and time to walk in front of the cameras, then ask to see video evidence from that date and time. If you're not on the video, make sure that the facility fixes their security, or go to another facility.

Personnel security involves security guards and staffing hours. If your belongings are worth thousands of dollars or can't be replaced--and especially if other clients have obviously expensive belongings that go to and from their storage units--you'll want a security guard team to make theft less tempting.

Security guards should at least be present after hours when normal staff isn't available. There's no need for armed guards except for the most sensitive, expensive materials, so don't be surprised to see unarmed or personal pistol-only armed guards. A set of active eyes on patrol can contact authorities and challenge most security issues at storage facilities.

Contact a self-storage facility such as Payless Self Storage to discuss other features of your future storage unit.

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