Surveying Conducive Storage Climate For Sensitive Goods
Not all storage facilities have the same filtration and climate control conditions. Some may rely on basic air conditioning while other storage units might not have air filtration at all. If you need to keep dust at a minimum and humidity under control. Before selecting a storage facility, take a look at a few environment and cleanliness concerns that could affect untreated wood, precious cloth, paper documents and other sensitive goods.
Humidity Management And Last Line Of Defense
Humidity isn't a problem for every part of the United States, but if you're living near the coast or the Southeastern US region, those muggy summer days are something to watch out for.
The damages of humidity are dangerous for different objects. Wood can begin to swell and grow fungus if not treated and/or sealed properly, while some cloth and paper products may shrivel and stain after getting damp from humidity. Climate control isn't always an option, so you may need your own humidity management in the form of a dehumidifier.
These devices can remove moisture from the air, but you'll need to make sure that the dehumidifier model of choice is rated for the storage unit size. If the dehumidifier is too small, the room will only be partially treated and will still be a bit humid.
Most humidifiers have a room dimension (length, width and height) recommendation in the manual or on the manufacturer's info plate attached to the device. If you can't find the information, contact the dehumidifier manufacturer directly and discuss your situation to get recommendations for keeping the storage unit dry.
As with any other device, you'll need to make sure that your storage unit comes with power. Dehumidifiers don't need to be turned on permanently, but you may want to speak with the facility management about electricity costs and hiring a caretaker to turn on the dehumidifier or any other devices as necessary.
Dust And The Electronics Heat Problem
If you're planning on storing electronics, keep in mind that dust can be hard to clean while still posing a major threat.
Dust can coat the insides of some electronics like an insulating blanket, which can lead to overheating once a device turns on. Especially in computers and other devices with high temperature components, you may have to deal with emergency heat shutdowns or even burning dust if the system gets too hot.
Computer systems with processors can get hot enough to start a fire if not managed properly, and even a thin film of dust can lead to temperatures reaching critical levels faster than planned. You can't just vacuum or brush the dust off; dust often needs to be cleaned away with canned air and isopropyl alcohol or an electronics-safe cleaning solution.
To reduce the amount of dust that gets into your electronics, make sure to seal them away properly. Avoid basic cardboard boxes or any containers with holes and opt for sealed containers. Keep in mind that sealed and airtight are not synonymous, and that you don't need to spend extra money on an airtight container just to keep out dust. If the storage facility is in a regularly flooded area, airtight storage may be necessary, but it's still better to seek storage on higher grounds.
Speak with a self storage facility manager to discuss local climate issues such as humidity, as well as electrical hookups for your devices and other options for keeping your belongings safe. For more information, contact a company like Statewide Self Storage.
