Things To Ask About Before Storing Your Furniture In A Storage Facility
Whether you're changing the look of your home but want to keep old furniture, you've recently inherited furniture from a deceased family member, or you collect antiques, you may wish to rent space for these items in a furniture storage facility. When you've identified a few facilities in your city that offer the space at the right price for your budget, it's worthwhile to speak to the rental manager at each facility to find out which business will best suit your needs. In particular, ask about these features that will be instrumental in the proper protection of your stored furniture.
Climate Control
Wooden furniture needs to be kept in an environment in which the humidity is constant. Ideally, the environment should be kept around 50 percent humidity. This level of humidity is critical to the longevity of your stored furniture. Wood will expand and contract due to changes in the humidity around it. This fluctuation can lead to cracking or warping to the point that you could return to a storage unit to pick up your furniture and find that the joints no longer fit correctly, for example. A rental manager who can guarantee a consistent humidity level in your storage unit is a good sign you've found the right facility.
Anti-Pest Measures
Just as humidity changes can threaten your furniture, so too can pests. Rodents may gnaw on the wood, while other pests may eat through the upholstery to make nests. You can't risk such problems while your furniture is in storage, so make sure that the storage facility has anti-pest measures in place for its customers. You want to hear about secure units that prevent the entry of pests, for example. You can visually assess this area, too — take a look at some sample units to ensure there are no cracks at the base of the walls or doors that may allow access to pests.
Items To Borrow
You also want to find a furniture storage facility that lends useful items to its customers. Moving furniture can be a challenge, but the job is made easier with carts, dollies, straps, moving blankets, and other such items. Instead of trying to rent these items on your own, see if the storage facility has them available in the office for customers to borrow. You can then use these items, as well as a couple strong-armed friends, to get your items into your storage unit safely.