U-Lock Mini Storage – Page 15 – Self Storage Tips and News

Ways to Take Advantage of Short-Term Storage

Short term storage offers a range of benefits and flexibility for those that need a little space for just a short time.

Short term storage offers a range of benefits and flexibility for those that need a little space for just a short time. When it comes to storage, we at U-Lock Mini Storage know that everyone’s needs are different, which is why we don’t require our tenants to commit to long-term lease agreements or lengthy notice periods. At U-Lock, we offer short term storage units on a flexible month-to-month lease and a short notice period of only 2-days. This allows our tenants to enjoy the hassle-free benefits of short-term storage with the convenience of extending month-to-month if needed. In this post, we look at a few of the reasons why you may use short-term storage and how you can use it to your advantage.

How long is short-term storage?

In general, short-term storage is a rental period up to 3-months. At U-Lock, we offer an open-ended, month-to-month lease agreement, which means that there are no long-term commitments required to use our self-storage facilities across Vancouver Island or the Lower Mainland. On our month-to-month lease, you can use our self-storage units for as little one-month-minimum or for as long as you like. With a flexible 2-days notice, you don’t have to worry about planning far ahead and can take each week as it comes knowing that your items are safe and protected in storage.

Reasons for short-term storage

Office Uncertainty

In the midst of COVID-19, many businesses have moved out of the office to remote working. With the future uncertain, businesses are debating whether to keep their current office space, downsize to a smaller space, or opt for remote work long-term. During this time, a storage unit can provide a temporary storage solution for storing things like desks, chairs, office equipment, furniture, and inventory while you consider what kind of dedicated space your business needs.

Storing Vehicles & Equipment During the Off-Season

Many individuals and businesses use our storage units to store seasonal equipment and vehicles short-term during the winter months. A storage unit provides a clean, dry, and safe environment for their personal and classic cars, motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, commercial vehicle fleets, and industrial equipment during the offseason. Because most people and businesses don’t have the garage, warehouse, or outdoor space to store their vehicles and equipment throughout the year, a storage unit provides an affordable, flexible storage solution that helps them free up much-needed space while giving them peace of mind that their toys and equipment are safe and protected.

Stress-Free Home Renovations

Home renovations are exciting but can also be overwhelming. Whether you’re hiring a contractor or doing your home renovations yourself, there is a lot of dust, paint, and messes. While you can use plastic sheeting, blankets, or covers to try and protect your furniture from dust and debris, it always somewhere finds its way in. A storage unit is a great place to keep your furniture clean and protected during home renovations. If you’re renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, rent a 5×10 or 10×10 storage unit to keep your dining table, chairs, and appliances safe and out of the way. If you’re renovating or painting the entire house, opt for a 10×15 or 10×20 and keep all your home furnishings safe and secure while the renovation chaos ensues.

Stashing Away Holiday Presents

Do you have curious children or impatient family members that can’t help exploring every nook and cranny in your home to locate the holiday presents you have stashed away for them? Instead of trying to hide gifts in your garage, attic, or closets where they may be prone to damage or prying eyes, rent a temporary 5×5 or 5×10 storage unit until the big day is here. At our U-Lock storage facilities, we offer storage units that are individually alarmed and heated, making them the perfect hiding spot to stash away gifts like new bicycles, electronics, sports equipment, instruments, and more.

Storing Camping Equipment

Camping requires a lot of gear and space to store it. During the offseason, outdoor enthusiasts need to find space to store things like tents, sleeping bags, camping beds, coolers, camping stoves, folding tables and chairs, and so much more. All these items take up a huge amount of space, and not everyone has a spare room, garage, or shed to keep their camping and outdoor gear secure, dry and out of the way throughout the winter months. While you wait for the warmer months to come back, a short-term storage unit can serve as a dedicated space for your camping gear that is easily accessible. That way, when the camping season rolls back around, you’ll be more than ready to break out your camping gear and hit the great outdoors!

Short-Term Storage Solutions with U-Lock

Do you need a short-term storage unit but not sure where to start? Give us a call at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online and our storage specialists would be happy to help! Simply let us know what size storage unit you’re looking for and how long you’d like to store, and we’d be love to help you set-up a reservation.

Need to reserve a storage unit? Find a U-Lock self storage facility near you:

Self storage Burnaby or Vancouver

Self storage Chilliwack

Self storage South Surrey or White Rock

Self storage Parksville

Self storage Nanaimo

Self storage Victoria

How to Stage Your Home For Sale

When you are selling your home, you want it to look absolutely stunning for your potential buyers. That is where home staging comes in.

Home staging is a decorating approach used to accentuate your home’s most beautiful, elegant, and notable features and help your buyers picture themselves moving in and living there. On average, staged homes sell 88% faster and for a 20% higher price than non-staged homes. The impressive results of staging a home makes it an imperative part of selling your home.

Here are four tips for staging your home!

Remove Clutter

Make your home look cleaner and create room for staging items such as new furniture or kitchenware and decors.

You can also remove miscellaneous items like board games or old CDs and old clothes in your closets; potential buyers are likely to check out your closets to assess the storage capacity.

Items in your garage such as hockey nets or bikes should also be removed from your home for home staging so prospects can see the full capacity of your garage.

The less clutter you have in your space, the bigger it will look and the more appealing it will be to buyers.

The best way to declutter your home for home staging is renting a storage unit. By renting a storage unit during the process of home staging, showing, and open house, you can place all your items in the storage unit and make your home look more spacious and tidy for prospective buyers.

Since you can rent a storage unit on a monthly basis with no long-term commitment, you can rent a storage unit temporarily, only for the duration of the home staging and selling period. This flexibility allows you to greatly minimize your storage expense!

Stage the Most Important Rooms

Not all rooms are considered equal when it comes to home staging. You want to focus your efforts on the rooms that have the greatest potential to influence buyers’ decisions, and spend less time on the rooms that will not make much of a difference.

Rooms that hold the most importance for buyers are the living room, master bedroom, kitchen, and dining room. These are the rooms that you want to focus on the most when staging a home. Here’s how you can stage the four rooms:

Living Room

The living room is where families come together. Potential buyers need to see that there is enough room to fit their family comfortably in the space. They may also have concerns about entertaining guests or being able to place a television in a convenient location.

An empty space can be difficult to gauge visually, but clutter can make a room feel cramped even if it is not. Focus staging on creating a suitable conversation area. Keep accessories to a minimum, but do include some. For example, instead of an empty coffee table, place a book and a small teapot with a cup, or put a small flower arrangement in a lovely vase.

You also want to include multiple light sources, and leave them turned on during the showings to keep the space lit and bright. Do not forget to clean every surface thoroughly.

Kitchen

Since the kitchen is not usually thought of as a place for furniture, it does not always come to mind as a room that needs staging. However, the kitchen is a key factor in the sale of your home. That means you want to make sure it is presented in a way that makes it look functional and spacious.

Declutter as much as possible, and try to leave no more than three key appliances on the countertop. You can keep related items nearby. For example, a ceramic canister marked “Coffee” next to a coffee maker will look good, but make sure any excess items are put away. You do not want to overstuff your cabinets either, as potential buyers will likely open them. This could require relocating belongings during showings.

Feel free to add an open, strategically-placed cookbook or add a bowl of fruit to the counter. You can also include fresh flowers to bring life into the space. If you have a breakfast bar you can add place settings to show the intended use.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom needs to look like a restful retreat. This means decluttering and making sure all clothing items are properly hung or stored. Make the bed appear welcoming with freshly washed linens, comfortable throw pillows, and maybe an extra blanket near the foot. Turn on table lamps placed on nightstands, but limit other décor. This is another place where adding a book is perfectly acceptable.

Do not worry as much about the rooms that have less influence, such as guest bedrooms, children’s bedrooms, and bathrooms.

Dining Room

A dining room is seen as a sophisticated space, but it also needs to be comfortable. Leaving the space empty can make it feel dark and gloomy, especially if there are few windows or it has a dark paint color on the walls. Staging the space can make it appear larger and more functional.

Make sure the table is the right size for the room. If it is too big, and you can remove a leaf, then do so. Too small? Then add another leaf. Alternatively, you may be able to get a new tabletop for the base to make the table appear larger.

You can choose to set the table with nice place settings, or create a focal point on the table with appropriate home décor items. Often, it is better to put something on the table than to leave it empty: an empty table can seem uninviting, and that is not the feeling you want to inspire in potential buyers when viewing your home.

Repair House Issues

When staging your home, it is a good time to tackle the tiny nicks, scratches, holes, or other impurities that adversely impact buyers’ views about your property. Start with a melamine foam eraser pad and go room to room removing any scuffs from walls. You may need to do some paint touch ups too, if you notice areas where previously applied paint has chipped. Keep an eye out for any areas that could use a little TLC, then spackle and caulk as necessary. These easy fixes will help you show that your property is in exceptional condition!

Brighten Up Your Home

Brighten up your space by letting as much light shine into the house as possible to make your house more welcoming. You can open all your blinds, which in addition to letting in more light will also make rooms seem bigger. During showings, turn on all the lights in your house, including lamps and closet lights. Doing this will help make your home delightfully cozy and bright, which will help prospective buyers get a positive feeling about living at your property.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

29th Annual Festival of Trees Victoria

The 29th Annual Festival of Trees Victoria is happening Nov 19, 2020 – Jan 5, 2021. The Bay Centre Victoria has been transformed into a lush forest of beautifully hand-decorated trees done by local sponsors, businesses and organizations to raise funds for the BC’s Children’s Hospital. Guests can bring their loved ones, marvel in the magic of Victoria’s community spirit and vote for their favorite tree. Visit the Bay Centre Victoria website for holiday hours.

Donate to vote for our U-Lock tree and help raise money for the BC Children’s Hospital by texting TREE014 to 45678, or visit our Fundraising Page to make a donation.

Your support will help provide the best care imaginable for sick and injured kids from across the province, including the 3,300 kids from Vancouver Island who visit BC Children’s Hospital each year for specialized care they often can’t get anywhere else.

How to Select the Best Storage Unit Size for Your Needs

What storage unit size should I rent? The answer to this question depends heavily on your needs, since storage units come in various sizes and features. Factors such as the intended use, the number and types of items you want to store, and availability of units also influence your decision of finding a storage unit that is best suited for you.

Here are 4 useful tips to select the best storage unit for you!

1. Determine the storage unit’s primary function

To select a storage unit that best suits you, the first step is defining the main function of the storage unit. For example, are you renting a storage unit so you can declutter your home for staging? Are you moving abroad for 12 months and are looking for a long-term rental? These are fantastic questions to ask yourself to get yourself started on finding a suitable storage unit.

Other relevant questions you can ask yourself are:

Am I looking to store business inventory for the next three to six months?
Is it likely that I’ll need extra space six months down the road?
Do I need temporary storage for a move or home staging?
Do I need to store some items indefinitely?
Will I be rotating items in and out of the unit?

By clearly answering some of these questions, you will have a better idea of the storage unit size you should seek. For example, if you plan to store business inventory for the long-run and are expecting to store more items in the future, you can rent a larger unit with some room to grow.

On the other hand, if you only need to store items during a temporary move, you can pick a unit that is suitable for your belongings. Since the amount of items in your storage unit is unlikely to change, you will not need to rent a storage unit that has excess room.

2. Create an inventory list

You may have a general idea of which items you want to store in the storage unit, but walking through your house and developing a list is the ideal way to clearly identify items you want to store.

Sometimes you may not even realize how many items you need to store until you list them all.

When making your inventory list, remember to also do the following:

Count the number of items that will go into storage.
Get approximate measurements of your items to calculate the amount of space you need.
Place all the items you want to store in one location at your home to visualize and measure the amount of space you need.

3. Measure the Amount of Storage Space You Need

If you have a hard time conceptualizing space, you can try this trick: in your driveway or another open area, use masking tape to mark off the space of an approximate size of a storage unit you need. For example, you can mark off 5 feet by 5 feet or 5 feet by 7 feet. Then, place items you want to store inside to see if all the items fit in the marked area.

4. When in Doubt, Rent a Large Unit Size

Being more economically conservative by selecting a storage unit that is smaller than you need is not always a good idea for safety reasons. For example, you should avoid packing boxes more than four feet high. Also, you should avoid stacking more than two pieces of furniture. Doing so could result in damage to your belongings or become a hazard when unpacking.

Additionally, take note that sometimes a larger-sized unit is only a couple more dollars a month. In some cases, a larger unit might be less expensive if there is more availability. You could also save money on a larger storage unit if the rental is not climate controlled. Do not let the larger size deter you before you have a chance to run the numbers.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

Small Business Inventory Management: Tools and Tips for This Holiday Season

Managing business inventory for your small business requires a tremendous amount of detail. Business owners have to keep track of incoming inventory, current inventory, and processed inventory. If the inventory is not tracked diligently, the unorganized inventory will become a bookkeeping and inventory management disaster.

To help you better manage your business inventory, here are four tips you can use.

1. Store Old Inventory In a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit

Once the new season arrives, it is time to store your old inventory and make room in your store to display the new inventory!

If you are running out of space in your store or if you do not have a secure perimeter, rent a heat-controlled storage unit.

By renting a climate-controlled storage unit, you will be able to:

Protect items from extreme heat, cold, or humidity. A heat-controlled storage unit continuously circulates the air which keeps the air in the storage unit clean. This efficient circulation of air prevents your stored items from being exposed to harmful levels of humidity and dryness, which could potentially cause damage.
Manage humidity control level. This control is critical in preserving your items in good condition because your items may warp or decay if there is too much humidity in the air. By storing your items in a heat-controlled storage unit, you will keep your belongings in a space with approximately 55% base humidity.
Protect items from pests. Dissimilar to outdoor storage units that are not completely sealed, indoor climate-controlled storage units are fully sealed, which prevents unwanted guests, such as bugs, rodents, or moths, from invading your storage and damaging your items.
Protect items from debris. Heat-controlled storage units are located deep within a storage facility and have sealed and insulated roofs, walls, and floors. This robust sealing helps prevent dust and debris from entering your climate-controlled unit.

2. Keep Track of Your Low-Turn Stock

Low-turn stock is a product that has not sold in the last 6 to 12 months. It is a good business strategy to store a low-turn product and make space for your top sellers. For example, if you have some winter coats that are not selling well, you can store the coats in a storage unit to make space for other items. To promote the winter coats, you can use digital marketing approaches such as sending out email campaigns or promoting them through social media or your eCommerce website so your customers can purchase them online.

In addition, you can store these coats for the next short while in a storage unit and bring them out again when it is autumn or winter season and you can promote the coat actively through heavy discounts or promotions.

Using this approach helps your business greatly reduce the amount of wasted space in your store.

3. Use Inventory Management Apps

There are a number of inventory management apps you can use to better manage the flow of your inventory.

Inventory management software is one of the best ways to improve how you manage your small business inventory. There are many software options that can help small businesses digitize their inventory in a way that helps them keep track of it, forecast demand, and analyze inventory from various devices like your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Some management apps for you to choose from include:

Zoho

TopShelf Inventory Management Software

Inventory Now

4. Audit Your Inventory Regularly For Quality Control

Finally, you never, ever, want to forget about quality control. No matter what you sell, you want to make sure that your product looks good, works right, and does what it is supposed to do. Some businesses have a person in charge of quality control, while others have a team that does quick checks during stock audits or when the stock is coming in, to check for damages and other issues.

When your product is of the highest quality, it shows your customers that you care about what your business produces. This also helps with inventory management by filtering products to ensure that your shelves are stocked with only the best products at all times.

When you find products that have minor flaws, you can store them in a storage unit and sell them online at a discount rate, letting your customers know about the flaws. That way, broken, faulty, or aesthetically displeasing products will not clutter your storeroom, giving your best products the spotlight they deserve. Taking this approach lets you create space for higher value products in your store and sell products of the best quality.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

How Mini Storage Helps eCommerce Businesses Succeed

As more retail stores and small or home-based businesses are using eCommerce to sell their products, finding a suitable and sizable storage space to store inventory is a priority. An easy and cost-efficient approach to store your inventory is by using a storage unit. By renting a storage unit, you can select a unit size based on your inventory needs, budget, and take advantage of many key benefits. Here are the top five reasons why eCommerce businesses should rent a self storage unit.

More cost-effective than warehouses

If you have recently launched your own eCommerce business and do not have a lot of products in your inventory yet, starting off with a smaller-sized storage unit will be a fantastic way to get your eCommerce going! We have a wide variety of storage unit sizes for you to choose from. We recommend starting with a 10×10 feet storage unit; it is equivalent to half of a one-car garage which gives you sufficient space for a smaller amount of products.

If you need more space, you can rent a 10×15 feet storage unit, which is equivalent to roughly two-thirds of a one-car garage. We also have bigger storage units available – as large as 13×23 feet.

Renting a storage unit to hold your inventory is a more cost-effective way than using a warehouse because you can rent a storage based on your inventory size and budget, and you always have the flexibility to switch to a smaller or bigger unit. If you are selling at a high volume and your inventory is depleting, you can change your storage unit to a smaller unit to adapt to your new needs.

No Monthly Contract = More Flexibility

As mentioned above, you always have the flexibility to switch to a bigger or smaller storage unit according to your needs because storage facilities, such as U-Lock Mini Storage, do not require monthly contracts. This autonomy lets you switch between different unit sizes from one month to the next. For example, if your inventory is running low towards the beginning of the year and you do not plan on ordering a large number of products to replenish your inventory, you can downsize to a smaller unit.

Heat-controlled storage units available

Storing items in a heat-controlled storage unit prevents your belongings from being damaged from humidity or extreme heat.

Humidity control is vital in preserving stored items in optimal conditions. When there is excessive humidity in the air, some products may warp or decay. Heat-controlled storage units ensure that the humidity level in a storage unit is around 55% base humidity. Excess moisture is removed using air conditioning.

In addition to ensuring a healthy humidity level, a heat controlled-storage unit also makes sure that the stored items are not in an extremely hot and dry condition. Some items can suffer from warping, splitting, or cracking in extreme heat. To prevent this, a heat controlled-storage unit uses air conditioning to pump and circulate fresh air into the storage.

A heat-controlled storage unit is also ideal to deter debris, dust, and pest infestation. Heat-controlled storage units are completely sealed and secured, and are located deep in a storage facility which prevents debris, dust, rodents, and other unwanted guests from entering the storage units and damaging your products.

Enhanced Security

Storage units are an excellent place to store valuable items due to their incredible security measures.

Our storage facilities are monitored 24 hours a day using digital surveillance. Additionally, we offer storage units that have individual alarms installed, which means that an alarm will be triggered when a trespasser attempts to break into a storage unit.

To further enhance the security of the perimeter, we give each renter a unique access code that they must dial to enter the storage facility and unlock their self-storage unit. Each renter also must enter their unique access code to lock their storage unit and exit the building. This mandatory procedure lets the storage facility keep track of who goes in and out, thus preventing trespassers from entering the storage facility. Compared to storing inventory in a shed in a backyard or in a garage, storing your inventory in a storage unit is exponentially safer and more secure.

Convenient accessibility

To accommodate our customers’ schedules, we offer increased operating hours. You can have access from 6 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week, all year long. Please check your location U-Lock Mini Storage facility for extended hours!

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

How to Store Tires Properly to Prevent Dry Rotting

Storing tires can be a troublesome task due to their size and the extra steps needed to keep them in good shape. However, you might not have a choice if you have a set of winter tires for your car.

Storing tires can be a troublesome task due to their size and the extra steps needed to keep them in good shape. However, you might not have a choice if you have a set of winter tires for your car. If you are clueless of where to start, you are not alone. Many of our storage customers do not know how to store tires and come to us for advice.

It is not uncommon to see tires stored outside without so much as a cover, but it is likely these tires are not used on a road vehicle. If they are, their safety has been compromised in a major way. People also keep tires in garages that are exposed to big shifts in temperature; this solution is also not ideal.

Tires will degrade eventually, but there are things we can do to delay the process. Tires are sensitive to weather, sun, temperature, and time. The best way to store tires is in a dry, cool environment that will slow down the aging process. Keeping a fresh set of tires in the right conditions could add years to their life.

These tire storage tips will show you how to prevent dry rot and keep tires in excellent condition.

1. Clean and Dry Tires Thoroughly before Storage

It is important to remove any traces of asphalt, dirt and brake dust from the tires before storing. However, not all soap and methods of cleaning are created equal. Products specifically marketed for cleaning tires might not be appropriate in this case, so check the label. Avoid cleaning products with petroleum and all tire dressings. These products can be corrosive if your tires will be out of service for a few months or more.

To clean tires:

Mix mild dish soap and lukewarm water in a bucket.
Use a tire brush to scrub away any grime.
Avoid abrasive tire cleaners that can speed up the breakdown of the rubber
Avoid using a tire gloss or dressing prior to storing tires.
Make sure the tires are completely dry prior to storing but do not let them dry in direct sunlight.

2. Keep the Tires out of the Sun

Some argue that UV rays are the biggest factor in tire aging. Direct sunlight can heat the rubber and cause premature deterioration. The UV rays penetrate the rubber, dry it out and eventually break down the rubber compounds. The best way to keep tires from dry rotting is to limit sun exposure whenever possible.

How to keep tires out of sunlight:

Cover outdoor tires with a thick, sun protectant tarp. Make sure light cannot pass through the fabric.
Store tires indoors and away from windows or doors.
Use tire storage bags designed to keep tires out of the sun.
Purchase tire covers if you are keeping the tires on a car.

3. Store Tires in a Cool, Dry Environment

Find a cool and dry environment to keep your tires: ideally a place where the temperature and humidity remain consistent throughout the storage period. Dips or hikes in either of these conditions can result in premature tire aging. Storing tires in a consistently warm environment is not good for the rubber, but it is also damaging to keep tires in freezing temperatures.

Where to store tires:

Consider a storage unit to maintain a consistent environment.
A basement is a common choice, but keep tires away from furnaces, water tanks, sump pumps and other ozone producers.
Avoid storing tires in a garage if you can help it. Sunlight and weather exposure can damage tires over a long period of time.

4. Keep each Tire in an Airtight Plastic Bag

Aside from sunlight, the next leading tire deteriorating factor is oxygen. Some things in storage require airflow to breathe and stay in good condition. Tires, on the other hand, do better when they are vacuum sealed in plastic. An airtight space prevents oxygen from reaching the tires, slows down the oxidation process and prevents the oil from evaporating and drying out the tires. Remember to wrap each tire individually for the best results.

Tire storage options:

Specialty tire storage bags
Large black contractor garbage bags
Vacuum sealable plastic
Thick tarps that you can tie wrap tightly around the tire

5. Remove Tires from Vehicles that will Be in Storage for a Long Time

If you are storing a car for more than a couple of months, consider removing the tires from the car completely. Leaving the tires on the car can cause flat spotting. If you cannot remove the tires, at the very least be sure to take the car for a ride every few months so that the tires get some use. Tires do best in service because movement keeps oil evenly distributed in the rubber, which helps prevent it from drying out.

6. Professionally Inspect the Tires before Remounting Them on a Vehicle

Tires can last for several years in storage if they are stored in the right conditions. However, many tire experts recommend replacing tires six years after their production date regardless of the tread. Old tires can be compromised in other ways when the rubber compound breaks down.

To give you another perspective, it is like the difference between a brand new rubber band and one that’s been sitting on your desk for years. When you take your tires out of storage, make sure you look for signs of wear and check the date. If you are unfamiliar with what dry rot or crazing looks like, have a tire professional give your tires a once-over.

5 Tips for Maximizing Space In Your Storage Unit

Need to rent a storage unit for your belongings? A storage unit is an excellent solution to keep your items safe between moves, store your excess business inventory, or to free up more space in your home or office. If you’re renting a storage unit for the first time, you may be asking yourself, “what size storage unit do I need?” or “how can I best pack my storage unit to save the most money?” To help you utilize your space to the fullest, here are a few essential tips to help you organize your storage unit like a pro:

1. Create an aisle

If you intend to access your items in storage frequently, create a path down the center of your storage unit so that you will have easy access to all your belongings. Leave enough space for you to comfortably take out a box and sift through its contents when you need to. Organize your space by placing items along the walls. Not only will this help maximize space, but it will help save you a lot of time in the future when you’re looking for items inside your unit as it will allow you to move more easily without having to move items around.

2. Store larger items at the back of your storage unit

As you begin packing your storage unit, place your larger, heavier items towards the back of your storage unit. This includes items such as furniture, dressers, and household appliances. Get creative and utilize hollow space by storing small or fragile items inside drawers or wardrobe pieces. Items that you will need access regularly should be placed near the front of your unit to provide you with easy access anytime.

3. Utilize shelves and boxes

Are you using your storage unit as a long-term storage solution? Consider placing free-standing utility shelves at the back or sides of your storage unit. Shelving will help save you a lot of space as it will allow you to store small to medium boxes vertically rather than just storing your items on the ground. Shelving is great for storing and organizing items such as tools, holiday decorations, business documents, and electronics.

Don’t need your storage unit short-term? Consider storing your belongings inside moving boxes or clear plastic totes and stacking them vertically inside your storage unit. Stack larger, heavier boxes down first, and then place your lighter boxes at the top.

4. Disassemble your furniture

Large furniture items can take up a lot of space and leave you with awkward, open gaps in your storage unit, which can be a challenge to fill. While taking apart your furniture sounds like a lot of work, it can help you maximize your space by allowing you to organize and fill your storage unit more efficiently. Disassembling large furniture items such as dining sets, desks, or beds before placing them in storage is a great way to free up more space inside your storage unit. Vertically store disassembled bed frames, headboards, furniture, and table legs upright and on the sides so you can open up more floor space for your other belongings.

5. Purge or donate what you don’t need

Regularly decluttering your storage unit is one of the best ways you can maximize your space and savings. The easiest way to free up space is to get rid of items you don’t need or are unlikely to ever use again. While it can be tempting to hold onto keepsakes or “just in case” items, you’re wasting valuable time, space, and money by storing them inside your storage unit. If you have items in storage you are unlikely to ever take out and put into your home, then consider selling or donating them instead.

Storage units on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland

Have questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online and our storage specialists would be happy to answer any storage questions you may have! Let us know what you’re looking to store and how long for, and we’d be happy to guide you towards the right storage solution to fit your personal and business needs.

Need to reserve a storage unit?

Find a U-Lock self storage facility near you:

4 Signs Your Business Should Rent a Storage Unit

Renting a storage unit is a terrific solution to declutter your business space. Whether you are looking to free up office or retail space, a storage unit will help you achieve optimal workplace organization and hygiene.

Here are the top four signs your business should rent a storage unit:

1. You are running out of space

With social distancing policies in full effect in the public spaces and within offices, some companies are running out of room in their workplace. Areas that were once used to store documents are now needed to provide space for staff. This is when a storage unit comes in handy.

By renting a storage unit that meets your needs, you will gain space to store documents, office supplies, and equipment. At U-Lock Mini Storage, you can choose from a variety of unit sizes we offer. For starters, we have the 5×5 feet unit which is equivalent to a regular closet. If you only have a few items or documents to store, the 5×5 feet storage unit will surely suffice! If you have more items to store and need a bigger space, we have the 5×10 feet storage unit available. This storage unit size is equivalent to a walk-in closet and it is ideal for those who want store documents and possibly some office equipment or supplies.

If you have even more office items to store, you can rent a 5×15 feet storage unit.This storage unit size is approximately the same as a large closet and it has the capacity to store business supplies, a few pieces of furniture, sofas, chairs, chest of drawers, as well as some small items and boxes.

2. Security Concerns

If you have security concerns for your office and don’t want to store important documents on-site, rent a storage unit.

All of our storage units are secured in a gated facility with perimeter fencing and a main gate. The perimeter fencing keeps out people who are not staff or storage users at the facility. The main gate with electronic access can only be opened or closed when a code is entered on an electronic keypad. This enhanced security protocol ensures that only customers and staff can enter the perimeter while keeping track of who enters or exits the building.

Moreover, some of our storage units are individually alarmed. Renters are given a unique access code to disable the alarm to enter, and enable it on their way out. An attempt to break into an alarmed unit will trigger the alarm system and security or law enforcement will be called to remedy the problem.

The whole perimeter is also monitored 24 hours a day using digital video surveillance with multiple cameras, which are placed strategically in different locations to capture footage from all angles. Any potential thieves, trespassers, or malicious activities will be recorded.

3. You are Moving to a New Office

If you are moving to a new office or facility and have documents or office supplies or equipment that you do not want to bring into your new space just yet, rent a storage unit.

As mentioned before, we have a variety of storage unit sizes to choose from. You can start with the 5×5 feet storage unit if you only have a few office supplies or equipment to store. If the 5×5 feet storage unit does not suffice, you are welcome to upgrade to 5×10 feet, 5×15 feet, or bigger storage units!

4. You Have Inventory Surplus

If you are a retailer operating a brick and mortar store, you can significantly benefit from the perks of self storage. Oftentimes, it becomes difficult to keep your inventory under control with seasonal changes. Using the additional storage space a storage unit provides can help you better manage your day-to-day operation. The temporary storage can be used to store items that do not fit on your shelves or need to wait to be displayed later.

Additionally, businesses can better prepare for seasonal sales by acquiring merchandise in advance. For instance, summer clearances which normally occur in late July and August, can be managed much earlier by buying stock in advance and keeping it in storage and then sold during the clearance period. Businesses can purchase clearance stock at competitive prices in advance and sell later at higher prices. Businesses can also rent storage units to store out-of-season products; for example, a retailer can store their summer items when autumn comes to make room for seasonal items in the retail store.

You can also rent heat-controlled units to help protect your merchandise. heat-controlled storage is a special type of storage that allows you to regulate and maintain a certain temperature inside your self-storage unit.

Heat controlled storage is a great way to protect your belongings such as furniture, works of art, and other delicate items from harsh conditions, like humidity and extremely hot or cold temperatures.

Although you may not realize it, many items are prone to damage if stored in these irregular conditions, so heat-controlled storage is the ideal solution to preserve your items.

Here are examples of items that will benefit from a heat-controlled storage unit:

Antiques
Cosmetics & Toiletries
Art & Collectibles
Goods and Furniture made of wood, leather, or wicker
Electronics (e.g. TVs, Stereos, and Computers)
Media (e.g. CD’s, DVD’s, and Cassette Tapes)
Candles
Photographs and Film
Medications / Medical Supplies
Bicycles
Musical Instruments

For specialty businesses such as carpet retailers, it is worth your while to keep a few samples on the premises of your store, while the bulk of your merchandise can safely sit inside a storage unit ready to ship as needed. Similarly, utility stores can take advantage of container storage to keep some of their stock outside the store. As sledges, gloves and snow shovels will sell at a higher markup during winter, it is sensible to put them into storage as opposed to selling them for a reduced price in the summer.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you:

Key Benefits of Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Explained in 8 Questions

What is a heat-controlled storage unit? What does it do? What are its benefits? These are common questions customers have about heat-controlled storage units. We are here to ready them today by answering the following seven questions!

What are the key benefits of using a heat-controlled storage unit?

Heat-controlled storage units protect more delicate belongings from damage from extreme heat, cold, or humidity by keeping the temperature in the storage between 11 to 13 degrees. Moreover, a heat-controlled storage unit is not sealed the same way a normal indoor storage unit is. A heat-controlled storage facility continuously circulates the air which keeps the air in the storage unit clean. This means you will not need to open your unit just to get some fresh air inside. The efficient circulation of air prevents items stored in a heat-controlled storage from being exposed to unhealthy levels of humidity and dryness which could potentially damage the items.

What kind of items would benefit from being stored in a heat-controlled storage?

Essentially, any item that is delicate and is prone to damage from humidity or extreme heat. The items include:

Wood furniture, upholstered furniture – especially antiques
Fine art
Mattresses
Musical instruments
Books, notebooks, and magazines
Business records and important documents
Electronics
Vinyl records

How Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Control Humidity?

Humidity control is critical in preserving the conditions of stored items. If there is too much humidity in the air, items may warp or decay. By storing your items in a heat-controlled storage unit, you will keep your belongings in a space with approximately 55% base humidity.

Removing excess moisture in the air is not the only key benefit of using a heat-controlled storage unit; you can also ensure that your stored items are not exposed to extremely dry conditions. Some items such as musical instruments craze, dry out, or splinter in dry conditions. A heat-controlled storage unit ensures there is fresh air circulating, which keeps the stored items in good condition all year round.

Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Prevent Pests?

They sure do! Unlike outdoor storage units that are not sealed well enough to keep out unwanted guests such as bugs, rodents, gnats, or moths, indoor heat-controlled storage units are completely sealed. This prevents unwanted guests from invading your storage unit and damaging your items, since rodent or insect infestations may cause your belongings to become contaminated by feces or dander. Yikes!

How Does a Heat-Controlled Unit Protect Electronics?

The high humidity from weather conditions can create moisture on the electrical wiring of electronics and appliances. This moisture can cause severe damage to the wires in refrigerators, televisions, or stereos, to name a few, rendering the devices unusable.

Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Protect Belongings From Weather-Induced Incidents?

Heat-controlled storage units are located deep in a protected storage facility, which makes the storage units less susceptible to weather-induced incidents, such as flooding or leaks. Outdoor storage units on the other hand are more prone to such incidents that might cause damage to your belongings.

Does a Heat-Controlled Storage Unit Prevent Mold?

In extreme and unregulated temperatures and humidity levels, both delicate and not-so-delicate items in a storage unit may become damp, leading to mold growth. Once mold begins to grow on fibres, such as fabric and paper, it is very difficult to remove it. The mold leaves a stain on the material and creates an odd smell and might be harmful to breathe. Fortunately, with proper heat control in your storage, you can avoid mold growth on your possessions.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or contact us online at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Looking to reserve a storage unit? Find a self storage facility near you: