By Jennifer Reeves

When you start out looking for that self storage unit to help free up some of the space in your home, it can be somewhat overwhelming.  By taking a little bit of time, and putting thought and care into the process, you can avoid a lot of the headaches that some people experience.  Always remember that the folks at upickstorage.com are here to help you out when you have any questions about the storage of your valuables.

Problems such as mildew, warping of wood furniture, and the cracking or splitting of items are caused by extremes in temperature and fluctuations in humidity.  Climate controlled units prevent this from happening by keeping the temperature steady, and even adding humidity control in this part of the country. This means that the unit should never go below 40 degrees in the winter months, and never above 90 during the summer.   Most sensitive items require an environment with a relative humidity level that is below 55 RH.  By choosing a climate-controlled unit and following good packing methods, you can rest assured your items will be safe.   Each facility has its own standards, so it is best to ask your helpful manager what this regulated temperature is, and what level the relative humidity is kept.

You always want to begin by determining your need for climate control.  Is it really worth the extra expense?  If you live in FL, where the weather shares heat and humidity with us, you will want to take special care in packing and storing all items.  As a rule of thumb, if you would store the belongings in your garage and feel comfortable, definitely don’t worry about having climate control.  Outdoor furniture, lawn equipment, camping gear, and other items of this nature would all be fine in a standard unit.  Placing these items on pallets, or 2x4s to help keep good ventilation, will always help protect from moisture build-up. 

There are going to be facilities in this area that offer humidity control, without the temperature control.  If you are on the fence about climate control, or simply want to be safe with your lawn equipment or tools, this is a great option.  It takes some of the worry away, but isn’t quite as expensive as full climate control.

Since humidity is such a major factor in weather here, and is the culprit of mold and mildew, climate control is necessary when storing the majority of household items.  Mold and mildew can cause deterioration and discoloration, and can generally ruin the items you are investing in keeping safe over a period of time.  Below is a list of items that should be stored in a climate controlled environment:

• Photographs
• Musical Instruments
• Important personal or business documents
• Clothing, or natural material items
• Antique furniture
• Cameras and film
• Electronics, CDs, DVDs, records and other media
• Computers
• Mattresses
• Books
• Artwork, craft supplies
• Leather items
• Fine china

Remember:  if you have a sentimental attachment to what you are storing, it’s best to do so in a climate controlled environment.  This goes for items of high value as well.  If you are questioning the safety of items you know you are going to store for an extended period of time, it is simply best to use climate control- your peace of mind is well worth the investment!