Renting a storage unit can be a great way to free up space and store valuable items in a secure location. Here is a list of helpful tips that can keep your unit organized and secure from the elements. Following these helpful hints will help you avoid mistakes that could potentially cause damage to the contents of your unit or cost you unnecessary time trying to locate items amid the clutter.

Lay Down A Vapor Barrier

As a preventative measure against a potential spill or leak inside the unit, put down a layer of vapor barrier inside the unit before you set anything inside. The vapor barrier will be a protective layer between your items and anything that comes inside the unit on the floor. With the changing weather conditions outside, rain or snow could cause water to run off underneath the door of the storage unit. The vapor barrier will help to prevent your items from getting soaked and could save you from having to replace damaged items.

Label Everything

A messy and unorganized storage unit will cause you a massive headache when you need to find something later on. Organize everything inside the unit with a white sticker and then use a dark permanent pen to label your boxes by category. Then, on a sheet of paper, list each of the labeled contents and post it on clipboard on the door of the storage unit. The clipboard can be used for a quick reference in case you need to find something at a later date.

Stack Items On Skids

A wooden skid is fairly inexpensive and you can put your valuable items on them to keep them off the floor. Make sure that when you stack up items inside the unit, that you do not stack items over three feet in height (or over 3 boxes), as they could topple over. Keeping your items up on skids and off the floor will also protect them from being in contact with the extreme cold concrete, which could cause items to freeze faster.

If you have any additional questions about what you can and cannot store inside a storage unit, you should call a local storage provider in your area or check out http://www.foothillsstorage.net. They will be able to answer all your questions about storage units, and they will be able to go over all the contractual obligations that you will need to adhere to when renting out a unit.