Storing Recreational Vehicles and Boats

Storage facilities are popular for storing recreational vehicles and boats because they are perfectly suited for it. While not all boats can be stored in interior storage units, quite a few sizes can be accommodated. Recreational vehicles are even easier to store and follow the same general guidelines for storage as would be employed for storing a car. Here are a few tips for storing your recreational vehicle or boat at a storage facility.

Size matters, and if you are storing a boat then you need to know what size your boat is including head clearance. A 10′ x 15′ sized unit is as small as you can expect to be able to use for any boat, but a 10′ x 20″ is a better choice as you will find there are always some items associated to the boat you will want to store along with. A little extra room and the ability to maneuver inside the unit is worth the extra money. Most vehicles can be stored in a 10′ x 20′ unit.

Once you have determined the size of the storage unit you need, you can begin preparing it for storage. You should not proceed with storing anything until you have placed a plastic barrier on the floor to protect from drips winding up on the floor as well moisture rising from the ground that could cause corrosion to brake lines. Vehicles should be backed in so that if the battery dies while stored they can be easily jump started. It is your choice whether or not to disconnect the battery, but usually with newer cars that operate on a computer chip, this presents more cons than pros.

If you use a dust cover, it is essential that you choose one with a breathable fabric that is not going to trap moisture under the cover. In the case of vehicles, you should plan on stopping by every two weeks or so to start the vehicle for a couple of minutes. It is also a good idea to move the vehicle forward or backward a few inches to keep the tires from settling. When it comes to storing anything with fuel in it, if you cannot store it with an empty tank it is better to store it with a full tank so that an excess of fumes do not build up.

If your boat is too large to store in a unit, many self storage facilities offer outdoor storage for wrapped and unwrapped boats alike. If you go this route, make sure that your boat is being stored on a paved surface rather than unprepared ground or gravel. The headaches you will save when pulling out once boating season arrives are well worth any extra cost.

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

Shelving in a self storage unit

Adding shelves to a self storage unit is not only possible but pretty easy – even when you cannot drill into the wall. Most self storage units are rented with the understanding that the tenant may not alter the basic structure of the unit. Many people assume that means that shelves are not an option for them, or that they will have to either spend money buying an elaborate shelving unit or hope for the best using a cheap rickety stand alone shelving system.

If you know that you are going to need to use shelves in your storage unit for paper documents, electronics or anything you want elevated, there is a way to anchor your shelf units to the wall for added security. What you need to find is a self storage facility that has vertical support beams on at least one wall. If those beams are present, they can be used to anchor shelves so they do not tip. You will need to consult with the manager or facility attendant for what anchoring methods are allowable, but most will be more than happy to lend their advice.

You will not be hanging planks as shelves, but rather placing a stand alone shelving unit next to the beams. This requires no alteration of the unit itself and is a quick and easy task to carry out. It is best advised that you find out what methods of anchoring are allowed prior to when you begin moving your items in. This gives you time to pick up any materials you may need without the hassle of having to stop what you’re doing to go pick them up.

Before placing your shelving unit, you may want to place a paper or plastic barrier underneath it. Once you begin anchoring your shelves, you will want to secure it in at least two places – one being the top shelf and the other the middle. There is no need to secure the bottom.

Now that you know you how to add shelves to a storage unit and keep them free from tipping over, you can confidently store your items without fear of any damage from concrete sweating.

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

Self Storage Security

One of the most important things to look for in a self storage facility is security. The last thing you want to do is store your items, all the while wondering how safe they will be. To make finding a secure and reliable self storage facility easy, there are several key factors that one should look for to ensure you are placing your items someplace they will be secure.

Before renting a storage unit, ask to look around first. You should see a fence that surrounds the entire compound which is well maintained. Lights should be present at reasonable intervals and functional; these can be on a motion sensor or left on all night. Next take a look at the unit doors. You want to make sure they are in good repair and show no warping that indicate a prior forced entry.

Security at self storage facilities often hinges on access. A company employee should be on site during the day overseeing operations. Often, the mere presence of people on the lot is enough to keep away anyone who is up to no good. There should be only one point of entry/exit so that all comings and goings can be easily monitored. The gate should have an electronic keypad that requires each person/vehicle entering to input a gate code, unique to each customer. As these codes can be invalidated easily, this also helps the management keep out former tenants that have no business on the grounds.

The storage facility should have cameras on the grounds as a part of their security system. At least one camera should be monitoring the gate so that the license plate of each vehicle entering the grounds can be recorded. Cameras should also be monitoring the perimeter of the facility as well. It is also helpful if management has a good relationship with the local police, who can help monitor activities if there should be any need for assistance such as during severe weather situations.

Another part of self storage facility security rests in the hands of the renter, with respect to how they secure their unit. Combination locks and traditional keyed locks work equally well, but what really matters is the lock shackle. Cheap locks often employ a brass shackle or similarly soft alloy. What you want to look for is a 2″ shackle that is made of hardened steel. Smaller shackles are easier to break and larger shackles often fit improperly. While better facilities often offer space for two locks, one is usually all that is necessary.

By looking for these features, you can feel confident that you have located a self storage facility that will be secure and keep your items safe until you return to retrieve them.

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

Self Storage for Your Small or Home Business

A self storage unit can be invaluable for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and skilled craftsmen. Excess inventory, packing supplies and tools of the trade can be safely and compactly stored, eliminating the need to crowd one’s home, office or garage with business related items.

Packing supplies should be stored off the ground on wooden pallets, preferably in moisture proof plastic containers. Flattened cardboard boxes can be wrapped in plastic sheeting and sealed against moisture. Filler can be stored in boxes, tubs, or even large plastic bags until needed.

Excess inventory can be kept on installed shelves. Boxes should be clearly marked to make finding the right items a quick and easy job. Ensure that inventory will not be damaged by moisture in the air by investing in tight sealing plastic containers.

Self storage units are the perfect solution for home based businesses that require a certain amount of inventory be kept on hand to meet customer demand. When you carry multiple products, you can quickly run out of space in your home or garage. A storage unit gives you dedicated space which can be organized neatly.

Tools can be stored until required; one wall can even be devoted to storage, with larger items stored under shelving or boards from which specialty hand tools can be hung. Items like power tools should be kept off the ground and protected from moisture. Gasoline powered items should be clean and drained before storing.

A storage unit is ideal for storing janitorial equipment; carpentry, painter or tile cutting tools; carpet cleaning machines or floor buffers; lawn care equipment; and many other types of equipment used in small service based businesses.

Finally, a self storage unit can be the perfect solutions for small businesses that generate large amounts of documents that need to be kept for extended periods of time. The government requires many businesses to keep certain important documents and records for a number of years, and storing that many files in your home or office can take up enormous amounts of space. Fortunately, a storage unit can solve this problem as well!

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

Packing Tips for Self Storage

Deciding to store your valuable belongings in a secure self storage unit is a wise choice. The next step is packing your items carefully and storing them in such a way that they will be in perfect condition when you return to take them out of self storage. A small investment in proper packing materials can save you money down the road. No-one like to have to replace perfectly good things because insects, moisture or dirt ruined them.

1. Start with the floor. A large plastic tarp will do for small units, or you can invest in a large roll of heavy plastic sheeting to cover the floor of a larger space. This forms a moisture/vapor barrier to keep your items dry.
2. Pack your stuff correctly. Cardboard boxes are fine for some items, but heavy duty Rubbermaid is better. Put clothes in bags first, then in boxes. Don’t store perfume, potpourri, soap, or any other scented items as this will attract bugs.
3. Keeps boxes off of the floor. The plastic sheeting or tarp should protect from moisture, but it doesn’t hurt to add wooden pallets before stacking your boxes. Throw some mothballs in to keep bugs away.
4. Use your space wisely. If you like, you can add shelving to increase your storage space and keep the stacks of boxes from getting too high and crushing the ones beneath. If you do stack, stack sensibly, with heavier, more rigid, tighter packed boxes on the bottom and any lighter, smaller boxes or bags on top.
5. Leave a pathway. So many people start lugging stuff into their space and work from the back wall to the front. Instead, stack methodically around the three walls and put an ‘island’ in the center. This will leave a ‘U’ shaped path you can walk through to access all your stuff easily.
6. Back your vehicle in. If you are storing a car, you might have to jump it to get it out – so make sure the battery is accessible for a quick and easy start. Use heavy plastic sheeting on the floor and cover your vehicle with a car cover to keep dust off and prevent corrosion.
Following these packing tips will ensure that your belongings stay safe from moisture, dirt and insects during the storage period.

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

Who Needs a Mini Storage Unit?

Who Needs a Mini-Storage Unit?

There are many reasons an individual or family might need a mini-storage unit like those supplied by Broadview Mini-Storage! A few common situations where the need for a unit might arise include:

 

• Moving. Sometimes it’s a real pain to have to pile your new place full of boxes. With a mini-storage unit, you can move your important ‘need it right now’ items into your home and put the rest of the boxes in storage so you can unpack them at your leisure.
• Combining households. Marriage or kids moving back in with mom and dad can mean too much stuff for one house to hold. A storage unit can provide a solution whether you just need to store things until they can be sold or donated; or if you know you’ll need them later – but aren’t sure when.
• Seasonal Items. In the summer, the garage is probably the most convenient place for your lawnmower, edger, weed trimmer and leaf blower – but in the winter why not open up that extra space by storing your lawn and garden equipment in a mini-storage unit? (Remember to drain all gas and oil from your gasoline powered tools before storage!) You can also keep all of your Christmas decorations stored neatly in a unit, instead of delegating them to a closet or attic!
• Downsizing. If you move from a three bedroom house into a two bedroom apartment, chances are you’re tight on space.
• Parking. If you have a trailer, boat, RV, jet skis, ATVs or any other recreational/sporting vehicles you can’t park at home, a storage unit company often can provide a safe, secure parking space for you.

There are some things you shouldn’t store in a mini-storage unit – some regulated by law, and others by the individual company. Be sure to check with the storage unit company before storing anything you’re unsure of.

For example, Broadview Mini-Storage does not allow storage of the following items:

• Anything alive or perishable (pets, plants, or fresh foodstuffs)
• Anything illegal (drugs, weapons, etc)
• Anything flammable (paint, varnish, thinner, gasoline, etc)
• Anything explosive (LP gas, gunpowder, fireworks, etc)
• Anything hazardous, radioactive or toxic (chemicals or waste)

Use your unit responsibly, and you won’t have to worry!

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

 

 

What Size Storage Unit do You Need?

The size of your storage unit should match the amount of stuff you plan to put in it, plus a little extra so you can move around and find what you need when you need it. You don’t want to pay for space you don’t use, but you don’t want to be stuck in a crowded space where you have to take everything out every time you want to find something, then fit it all back in like a jigsaw puzzle!

Remember, if you have exceptionally large or bulky furniture, such as a remarkable large dining room table without detachable leaves, or an extremely long non-sectional couch, you may have to allow extra space for storage since it will be difficult to arrange these items to fit.

Here’s a quick guide to average mini-storage unit sizes and what you can expect them to hold:

• 5 x 10  foot unit:  holds 1-1½ rooms of furniture, or plenty of boxes
• 5 x 15  foot unit:  holds 2+ rooms of furniture, or even more boxes
• 10 x 10 foot unit:  holds 2-3 rooms of furniture
• 10 x 15 foot unit:  holds 3-4 rooms of furniture
• 10 x 20 foot unit:  holds 4-5 rooms of furniture (standard garage size)
• Ÿ10 x 30 foot unit:  holds entire contents of small house or apartment

In the winter, larger indoor storage units can also be used to park second cars  – invaluable if you only have room for one car in your garage and don’t want to have to dig your spouse or child’s car out every morning. Simply drop them off at the storage building to pick up their snow free vehicle!

Broadview Mini-Storage has all of these unit sizes available as indoor storage, and also offers large and small outdoor storage spots where RVs, boats, trailers or landscape equipment can be parked. Broadview Mini-Storage also offers various sizes of moving trucks for rent, as well as packing supplies and locks that can be used on their storage units.

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

Why is Location so Important for Mini-Storage?

Many mini-storage companies will buy up cheap land on the edge of town, so they can build freely and inexpensively. The main problem with this is that anyone renting a unit in one of these facilities has to take time out of their busy schedule to drive all the way out to the storage unit and back every time they need something. This leads to several possible outcomes:

The renter of the storage unit eventually gives up and finds another place to keep their items, requiring more hassle and moving.

The renter does without items they really need because they are in the storage unit, and becomes increasingly exasperated that they are paying for something that is inconvenient for them to access.

The person never gets around to solving their storage problem at all and just lives with the mess and clutter at home.
All of these outcomes could easily be avoided if the mini-storage facility is in a better location, convenient to the renter and accessible during extended hours. In addition, a mini-storage facility in a visible, easy to access location allows more people to know about and rent units from the company – meaning more units are being paid for at any given time – meaning the storage company can afford to offer discounts and incentives to customers.

Broadview Mini-Storage is centrally located in Broadview Heights, with easy access from the local post office, shopping centers, community areas, and major highways. It’s perfect for anyone in the Broadview Heights, Brecksville, Independence, North Royalton, Parma or Seven Hills areas near I-77 & Rte 82 (just down the Interstate from Rockside Rd.)

Stop driving out to the back end of nowhere to access your belongings. With a convenient location, affordable pricing, many different sizes of units and excellent customer service, Broadview Mini-Storage can solve all your storage problems in one easy step.

For more information and storage tips. Please visit Broadview Mini Storage.

What to Look for in a Mini-Storage Company

Maybe you’re moving and need to store a few things while you get settled. Maybe you’re combining households and need time to figure out what to do with your extra stuff! Maybe you just don’t have enough room for seasonal items and want a safe, secure place to keep them until you need them again. A mini-storage unit could be the perfect solution to your needs!

How do you select a storage company? There are a few main features that you should ensure are in place to keep you and your belongings safe. Use this checklist to make sure you find the best solution for you!

• Location. You want your storage unit to be easily accessible, especially if you are storing any items you might need on a moments notice. Find a unit located either near your home, or convenient to where you frequently drive.
• Safety. The unit should be housed in a well lit lot, with a coded security gate to discourage loitering. It’s best if the units are arranged in open blocks, without narrow inner alleys.
• Customer Service. Your unit should always be available to you during the hours you are promised access, and during business hours someone should be in the company office to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Try to find a locally owned and operated company for best results in this area.
• Affordability. You can expect to pay slightly more for extra features such as excellent security and premium customer service, but this can often be offset by taking advantage of discounts offered, such as prepaying for several months in advance, or accepting online billing options.
• Extra Features. Many storage unit facilities also offer moving trucks for rent and sell moving supplies such as boxes, tape and packing materials. This can make a move even more convenient, since you get everything you need at one location.

Broadview Mini-Storage fits the bill for all of the above. Family owned and operated, Broadview Mini-Storage is conveniently located in the heart of Broadview Heights, right near I-77 and Route 82, with easy access from surrounding communities. Customer service is a top priority, as is the safety and security of every customer, and a variety of billing options and discounts exist to make renting a storage unit hassle free!

To learn more about Broadview Mini Storage, please visit our website http://www.broadviewministorage.com.

 

Broadview Mini-Storage to Sponsor Local Scarecrow Competition

Local Self Storage Company Supports Second Annual Halloween-on-the-Heights Festival at the Broadview Center on the Broadview Heights City Hall Campus

In honor of the season, Broadview Mini-Storage (located in Broadview Heights, OH) is once again supporting the Halloween on the Heights event on the Broadview Heights City Hall campus.  The event will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010.   This will be the second annual event.  Last year, despite terrible weather, nearly 1,700 people showed up for fun and laughter, and nearly 200 residents, school groups and businesses entered scarecrows into a scarecrow competition.   

This year the celebration is being moved indoors; the Broadway Center at 9543 Broadview Road will be housing the actual festival. Sponsors of the event (which include the City of Broadview Heights, the Broadview Heights Community Foundation and the local Chamber of Commerce with support from Broadview Mini-Storage) hope to see over 300 scarecrows entered in the contest this year.

The event is free, and Broadview Mini-Storage is making and distributing 200 free scarecrow kits. Interested parties can pick up kits Tuesdays through Saturdays between the hours of 9 and 5 at their location behind the Broadview Heights Post Office on Postal Drive. More information can be obtained by calling 440-546-1000

Specific scarecrow guidelines, copies of competition rules, and drop-off instructions can be picked up at the Broadview Center or at Broadview Mini-Storage.  Assembled  scarecrows can be brought to Broadview Center between October 8 and October 22. The scarecrows will be placed in and around the building for decoration. The festival will be open Saturday October 23 from 1 to 6, and entry is free. Refreshments (including pizza, doughnuts and cider) will be sold at the event.

Businesses and organizations (excluding political candidates) may rent a table for $60 by calling or emailing Tom Craft at 440-717-1199 (thcraft@artistafin.com). No sales of food or drink will be allowed, and each business will be responsible for decorating in family friendly Halloween style and for providing and handing out small treats to visitors.

Other entertainment at the event will include costume contests, refreshments, a pumpkin launcher, coloring contests, a “chamber of horrors‟, inflatables, a hayride, and trick or treating. The Broadview Spotlights will be presenting “Enchanted Hollow-een”, an outdoor theatrical production (cost: $3).

Broadview Mini-Storage serves the Ohio communities of Broadview Heights, Brecksville, Independence, North Royalton, Parma or Seven Hills near I-77 & Rte 82, providing premium self storage services, excellent customer service and moving truck rental from our convenient central location. For even more information about Halloween on the Heights, call 440-526-4357 or visit the City of Broadview Heights website at www.broadview-heights.org  To see pictures of last year’s scarecrow competition, please visit the Broadview Mini-Storage website at www.BroadviewMiniStorage.com