Packing Your Storage Unit

How to Know Your Items Are Safe Whether you’re a veteran in the business or a first-timer, it can be rather easy to overlook important factors when it comes to renting storage. One thing that should be priority when searching for the reasonably-priced and most conveniently located units is the security of the facility you are renting from. Of all the things that happen in daily life, it will alleviate a lot of stress not having to worry about the wellbeing of your belongings. So how do you know if a storage facility is safe and secure? The most ideal way would be to go and actually tour the facility before you commit to renting. Look around the grounds to see what kind of lighting there will be at night and ask about security features that are in place such as fences and video surveillance. If there is a gate system, talk to the manager and understand thoroughly how it works. Although these electronic features are important, location is also big factor to take into consideration so keep in mind what kind of neighborhoods are nearby. Certainly life doesn’t always cooperate and you might not be able to tour the facility beforehand; however, you can do a lot of the research online by searching for testimonials and reviews on facilities in your area. Doing so may make aware of incidents in some areas you may want to avoid, while also informing you of which facility owners you will have a better experience working with.  For some people, these type of features might be the deciding factor. Some might even pay a little more or drive further to have the satisfaction of knowing their valuables are secure. These are just a couple factors to consider while choosing which storage is right for you! If you have any questions about storage security, contact us now!

Treasure Valley On-Site Storage Facility Organizing a business is vital when it comes to success for the long term. Studies have proven that employees morale can be directly tied to the workplace’s structure, organization, and facility. Providing a workplace that displays professionalism, efficiency, and complies with health and safety code can be a challenge but one with the help of a storage unit can be accomplished. Self storage facilities can be beneficial in a variety of ways. Here are just a few reasons why your business is a storage unit away from increasing productivity and employee morale. 1. Short Term Storage Is that old massive printer taking up valuable space in your office? Do you have unused cubicle walls laying around waiting to fall on the next person’s foot? Clutter can take up meaningful space and be hazardous to bystanders and employees. By removing the clutter and renting a storage unit, businesses can free up office space allowing the flow of traffic in the office to improve. Furthermore, a well kept office space can reduce the need for worker compensation claims saving the company money. Storage units are affordable and come in a variety of sizes. When choosing a storage unit, it is vital to know what size and what type of storage you will need. If you have printers and cubicle walls to store that are generally larger items, choose a 10×10 unit similar to the one Treasure Valley On-Site Storage Facility provides. 2. Document Storage Is there anything appealing to an employee about a stack of filing cabinets aligning the walls of an office space? Moreover, a company keeping all sensitive documents out in the open for display to others is dangerous and could lead to trouble. That’s where storage units come in handy. Self storage facilities can provide your company a peace of mind by providing your company a clean and secure area for storing those documents. First, storage units can keep sensitive documents secure through the monitored alarm system, gate access, and some facilities have onsite security. Second, storage facilities comparable to Treasure Valley On-Site Storage Facility deliver clean self storage units that are most of all affordable to rent on a month to month basis. 3. Inventory Storage As a restaurant owner and operator, inventory plays a crucial part in running a successful restaurant. Between janitorial supplies, seasonal decorations, non perishable food items, and excess inventory, a restaurant can fill up quickly. Self storage units deliver the owner a best of both worlds scenario. If you’re wishing to store perishable items, climate controlled storage options are available. Moreover, restaurant owners can select storage units that are easy and convenient to access. By selecting a storage unit, restaurant owners keep their patrons happy as well as their servers by freeing up the space.  Self storage facilities can be advantageous for all businesses big or small. By offering short term storage, document storage, and inventory storage for companies and restaurants, storage facilities provide assurance for their owners. The next time your office or restaurant becomes cluttered or the documents begin to stack to high, call Treasure Valley On-Site Storage Facility. We can meet all of your business and commercial storage needs.

How to Categorize Storage Self-Storage is a great solution for those who are running out of home-space to store all of their belongings. Truthfully, all of us have things that we cannot part with but we don’t have space for. If you can find a storage facility that is the right price, within close proximity, and where you know your items will be stored safely, it will be the solution to keeping & accessing your items whenever you need them. However, once you have begun renting a unit there are some tricks in the way you organize that will help keep things you need most accessible. When most people move their stuff into a unit they begin stacking it from back-to-front until it is full. But by taking a little time to organize will save you a lot of time in the future when you need to find something. Here are some things to consider when moving into a unit: Label Your Boxes, Bins, and Containers If you mark what type of items or specify the room contents on the outside of the box it will save you from digging through all your boxes when you need to find something. For example, simply marking “kitchenware” or “photography equipment” on the outside of your boxes will help you know directly where to go when you need to find a specific item. Place Frequently Used Items at the Front Take a moment to assess which things you use most and will potentially need to access in the near future. Keep those items at the front by the door and you won’t have to crawl over all your stuff to find the things you need. Sketch a Diagram Of all the suggestions, this one is probably the most ingenious. As you fill your unit, draw a sketch of where boxes and items are stored to reference when you need them in the future. Use Vertical Space Using shelves in Storage is a great way to maximize the efficiency of the space you have while keeping your stuff organized and easy to access. Make sure you determine what size of unit you will need by using a “storage size estimator” and then fully utilize the space you have by neatly stacking it with shelf-units. Being organized is one of the most efficient way to save time and energy, but also of avoiding the headaches that come with using self-storage. If you have any questions about what type of storage you might need, call or email us by clicking on the link! (CONTACT US) .

Winter is coming up, and that means it’s time to start preparing your vehicle and toys for storage. If you use more than one set of tires, such as winter tires or all-season tires, it’s important to store them correctly. By doing so, you’ll get the most out of your tire’s life and save the hassle and money of replacing them. Here are several tips on how to get the most out of your tires by storing them properly. Clean Tires Before Storing As with anything you store, cleaning tires before long term storage is important. Dirt, dust, and grime left on the tires can cause damage when it sits for too long. Wash the tires with soap and water or a wheel cleaner. Make sure to let them completely dry before storing them. Water left in the tire will cause damage as well. If you don’t have time to let the tires completely dry, wipe them down with a towel and get as much water off as you can. Storing a Vehicle If you have to store a vehicle long term, make sure to give the tires a break. The constant weight of the vehicle on the tires can cause stress and damage. If possible, periodically move the vehicle or take it out on a short drive. By rotating the tires you will relieve stress on them and keep them from wearing out too quickly. Spare or Loose Tires Tires that are not on a vehicle will have a completely different storing method. Once the tires are clean and dry, the best way to store them, is in an airtight bag. A dark lawn or garden bag works great for this. Try to remove as much air from the bag, some people like to use a vacuum to suck out the air. Once you’ve removed as much air as possible, tie the bag and secure it with tape. Tire totes are a convenient way to store and carry tires as well. However, most tire totes are not airtight. It’s still recommended to bag the tires in an airtight bag before putting them in the tire totes. This will make them convenient to carry, while also keeping your tires secure, and clean when they aren’t in use. If your tires are still mounted on the rims, they should be stored by stacking or hanging. But, unmounted tires should never be hung or stacked. It can cause stress, distortion, and damage to them. Unmounted tires should always be stored upright. Do not stack your tires too high, because if they fall over, it could damage the tires. By storing the tires properly, you will avoid damage and extend the life of your tires. Other Storing Tips With the previous tips, your tires will be securely stored. But, there are a couple more tricks to protect your tires in storage. When it’s time to put your tires away, store them in a cool or dry place. Avoid any place that can get extreme weather like heat, cold, humidity, or excess water. All these extremes can damage your tires. Sun is also damaging for tires, and if left in direct sun the rubber can break down. By keeping your tires out of the sun, you will prevent damage that can ruin your tires. By following these tips and tricks, you will be able to get the most out of your tires. Properly storing tires is important, and with these tips, you’ll be an expert! A storage unit is a great option for storing tires because they keep the rain out and the sun off of your items. To learn more about our storage units at Treasure Valley On-Site Storage, visit our rent page .

How to Pack a Box Here are a few things to think about when it comes to packing boxes for your next move. First, whether you are moving yourself or hiring professional movers, you will want to pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in bigger boxes. This will make handling much easier and decrease the chance of items getting damaged. You will also want to utilize all the room available in boxes and not leave any empty space. One of the biggest complaints among movers are unbalanced boxes which increase the probability of things getting damaged and also of injury to the mover. Filling the extra space with clothing or packing paper will make handling the box much less strenuous. Moving fragile items such as dishes and glass can also be tricky. As you pack your delicate items, put packing paper around each one, then wrap bundles of five or six together with more paper. Keeping items bundled together helps decrease the chances of something breaking. Also, use plenty of packing paper to fill any extra space in the box above or beneath your dishes to prevent them from moving while in transit. For other items of value such as tv, pictures, and paintings, make sure to use special packaging specific to the item to ensure protection. These are just a few small tips that could save you some big headaches!

Finding a storage facility to rent from can be a pain! There are a lot of factors that go into finding the storage facility that’s right for you. Most people might think that the only factor would be the cost, This article will explain other factors that are just as important as the cost when searching for the correct self storage facility.  Finding! Forget about the old days of using the phonebook to call a bunch of different storage facilities with half of them answering their phones, and half of those people having what you have available to rent, and then half of those not being able to meet you at the facility to let you in until it’s on their time frame. Today we have the greatest resources ever, the Internet. You can quickly search on the internet find a website for the storage facility and see everything they offer, what units are available, you can rent and pay online, and move in same day. When it comes to finding, The Internet is the source to go to! Now that you’ve found a bunch of different storage facilities it’s time to ask yourself some questions about the storage facilities that you’ve found. First, is Cost: How much does the storage unit cost? Location: Is it close to roads? How is the Neighborhood? Are the Neighboring business kept in good shape? Lighting: is there good lighting available for those darker winter months? Easy Access: Can you easily maneuver a truck around the facility? Fence & Gate: Is there a fence or a gate? Features: Do they have any convenience features such as ability to rent online? receive Text/Email Notifications about your bill, or account? Can you access your bill online and make a payment online? can you be set up on recurring billing? Keep all of these questions in mind as you search for and rent your next storage facility, it could save you some headache down the road.

Finding a trustworthy storage unit is kind of like finding a trustworthy landlord, except you only really get to deal with the storage company once or twice when you sign up and move in. After that, you hopefully won’t talk to them at all. You pay your rent, visit your storage unit when you need to get something or put something in, and that’s all there is to it. However, there are some warning signs you should keep an eye out for to make sure your relationship with your storage company is a good one. Decide on the Type of Storage Unit You Need Take a look at the things you plan to put into storage. You may already have an idea of the size of storage unit you want to rent, but keep in mind that you don’t want to just rent a storage unit that will fit all of your items, you want a unit where you can fit yourself inside with a little room to work. If you ever want to be able to get your items out, you don’t want to pack your storage space wall to wall, floor to ceiling. Many people get the smallest possible unit they can get in order to save money, and then wind up having to empty half of it to get to a box that’s in the back. Don’t be that guy, unless you know you’ll never need anything you’re putting inside. Do Your Homework Now we’re going to focus on how you can find storage buildings as opposed to at-home storage boxes sealed boxes that you can’t access when you want to go get your Christmas lights. First, don’t get stuck on the storage facility closest to your home. Here are some things to do before you even pick up the phone. Don’t get stuck on location. There’s no faster way to find yourself storing your precious memories in a facility that sucks than to get stuck working with the one that just happens to be closest to you or cheapest in your community. Cast your net wide enough so you have a good handful of options that you can investigate. Check the reviews. Look up the storage facility on Google. You obviously want to take reviews with a grain of salt, but if they’re all bad or there’s a recurring theme, you may want to steer clear. The reviews can also give you some insight into what you may want to keep an eye out for if you go visit the storage facility. Compare the gate and office hours. A number of storage units only post their gate hours, to make the location sound like it’s open later than it really is. Remember there’s a difference. The gate hours are usually the hours in which you can access your storage unit, but the office hours are almost always shorter. If you have a problem or need to speak to someone, you’ll only be able to address your issues during office hours. Similarly, make sure the gate and access hours are convenient for you. If your storage unit closes at 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays, it’s probably not very convenient, and there may be a reason why. Go Visit and Ask Questions Now that you know what you’re looking for and you have a few options, it’s time to go take a look at the storage locations you’re considering. Once you walk through the door, don’t be pressured to sign on the dotted line right away, even if the property management tries to tell you that units are limited. Most companies will let you at least hold a unit overnight so you can think it over. Make the most of your visit by looking around and asking questions instead. Ask the property management if you can see the unit you would actually get. This, or at least a unit on the same floor or in the same area. Some storage facilities will show you a clean, 3rd floor unit but actually rent you a dirty, bug-infested basement one, so be assertive if you have to so you can see a unit representative of the one you’ll actually sign for. Ask if there are any rental specials or discounts available. Most storage companies will offer you the first month free or for $1, which makes the transition from an old storage unit to a new one really easy (especially if you’ve already paid for the last month in the old unit) or if you want to make moving into the new unit a little less painful on the wallet. If they don’t offer a special, don’t worry, the next one you visit probably will. Find out what happens if you miss or are late on a payment. In many places, storage units aren’t treated like apartments. On the first day of the month, your rent is automatically late. Grace periods vary by the company or even by the state, and in some cases even being a few days late with your payment means your unit’s contents can be auctioned off to the highest bidder at a wholesale auction. The last storage unit I rented gave me that scare tactic, and reminded me that I should always be timely or else the unit would be scheduled for auction and I would incur daily late fees. Make sure you know what your storage unit’s policy is before you’re stuck trying to do a wire transfer or pay online because you left town without dropping off a check. Once you’ve seen the unit you would actually get and you have a good understanding of what you’d be getting into, ask the property manager if you can put the unit on hold if you like what you see. They may or may not be able to, but don’t fall for high-pressure tactics. Even if you can’t hold the unit, get a business card so you get back in touch with the person you met. Hopefully, this helps you to find the perfect storage unit possible and hopefully that storage unit is ours!

Natural disasters happen and we can only do so much to control the damage. However, we can do our best to protect our belongings before the storm starts. Below are 4 tips on preparing your storage unit before a storm.  Insurance. Insurance is one of those things that most of us don’t worry about. We usually think that nothing bad will happen to us and we don’t need it. However, especially if you are storing your belongings in an area with frequent natural disasters it is important to make sure your items are covered. Some facilities require insurance, but if they don’t your personal insurance company can likely help you. This is a great preventative tool that can save you the financial strife of purchasing all new items in case of a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster. Store items on top of pallets. If it is possible, when you move into your storage unit try to store things on top of pallets with a tarp underneath. The tarp protects the floor from scratches and the pallets protect your items from water damage in case of a flood or hurricane. You can usually get pallets for free or extremely cost effectively from local shipping companies or other facilities. Remember to always check with the owner or manager of the facility to make sure this is in compliance with their rules! Check your unit before the storm starts. When you are aware that a storm is coming if it is still safe to do so, you should go to your unit and get anything extremely important out of it. For example, if you know you have stored birth certificates, or social security cards you should retrieve them before the storm. You should also check that the door is securely locked and things are as far off of the floor as possible. Check your unit after the storm. You should go to your unit and check on your items as soon as (safely) possible after the storm or disaster. This can prevent unnecessary damage caused by water or other potentially damaging materials. Another reason to check as soon as you can is because if it is necessary to file an insurance claim you want to take prudent measures and get the claim filed as soon as possible. Many insurance companies will not accept a claim if you did not do everything you could to minimize damage. For example, if there was a flood and you went to your storage unit 3 weeks later and found mold the claim may not be covered. However, if you go the first day it is safe to do so and take preventative measures you will be more likely to have your claim accepted. While these suggestions may not fully protect your items from a natural disaster they will certainly help. It’s always better “to be safe than sorry”!

Three Tips To Overcoming The Fear Of Towing An RV Don’t let the fear of towing stop you from enjoying the RV experience. Every year over one million RV’s take to the road. Towing an RV is doable! Here are three tips for overcoming your fear of towing an RV. Step One: Get in the right headspace RV towing can be intimidating. However, it’s not only for people with specialized skills. Like we said before, over one million RV’s take to the road every year. Towing is just a skill you need to learn, and in no time you’ll be comfortable towing on your own. Step Two: Start your training online There are plenty of resources available online to get you started. A great resource is looking up “How to tow a travel trailer” on Youtube. It’s important to learn the components of a hitch and the principles of towing before you hit the road. Learn things like, how far to pull out before pivoting so you don’t jump the curb when pulling out of a gas station. By researching ahead of time you’ll calm nerves and have a better idea of what you’re doing. Step Three: Be prepared When you’re ready to hit the road, make sure you are prepared. It’s important to get a reputable RV dealer that will make sure your RV and tow vehicle are a good match. A reputable RV dealer will also make sure your hitch is properly installed. This ensures your safety and that your towing experience will run smoothly. To learn more about overcoming the fear of towing and RV, make sure to watch this video from Janine Pettit: https://youtu.be/JfQghscWCVo Janine is the founder of Girl Camper and Camper-in-Chief of Girl Camper magazine. She has been training both experienced and novice campers for years with a focus on inviting more women into the wonderful world of camping and RVing. For more tips on RVing, check out Go RVing on Youtube.