When picking storage, most people just look at security. However, there are several other factors in storage that could be just as damaging to your stuff if you don't pay close enough attention.
Climate Control
The leading cause of damage to goods in storage are high humidity and extreme temperatures. If the items you are planning to store require some sort of climate control to remain in good condition, choose a warehouse that has climate control.
Find out how the warehouse monitors the climate controlled spaces, and ask if they have an alarm system to warn if temperature or humidity are out of whack, and if there is a back-up generator to deal with power outages.
Also ask if they use temperature and humidity chart recorders or other devices to monitor conditions in in the controlled storage facility.
These items would benefit from the extra expense of climate-controlled storage:
- Paper products like important documents that may rot due to high humidity;
- Electronics such as computers; and home furnishings, especially antiques, that may suffer wood rot if stored in high humidity.
- Furs (store in a cold environment during the summer months when not in use to prevent the oil loss from excessive heat and humidity, which causes the skin to harden).
- Dampness can destroy mattresses with mould growth and rust in the metal springs.
- Musical instruments such as pianos may be sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, especially humidity. They may get rusty and the wood can rot.
In traditional storage neither the humidity nor the temperature are controlled. The space has the same levels of humidity and temperature as the rest of the warehouse. The warehouse is usually kept at a temperature a few degrees above the outside temperature in winter and a few degrees below the outside temperature in the summer. The humidity level depends on outside humidity levels.
Humidity Control
It is desirable that items sensitive to high humidity be stored in spaces with the humidity level set below 55RH (Relative Humidity). Mould and mildew growth are inhibited at 55RH. Mould and mildew grow on most surfaces and their spores become airborne; this enables them to spread easily if there is high humidity.
If an old leather jacket has been stored for a time in an attic or basement it will smell musty and be covered in white spots -- this is mildew. Objects made of iron can rust in high humidity conditions and the higher the humidity the more rapid the corrosion.
Pest Control
Even if you pay extra for climate control, your goods may still be destroyed or damaged by pests such as mice, rats or insects, which are not controlled by environmental temperature and humidity levels. So make a thorough check of the warehouse and ask about pest control programs:
Ask for a documented program showing the location of bait boxes inside and outside the facility; frequency checks of bait boxes including those for insects should be detailed.
- Look at a map of the facility showing where the bait boxes are located
- Ask the facility operator what action is taken if something is found in the bait boxes inside and outside the building. If he doesn’t take corrective action, look elsewhere: An effective pest control program depends on follow up and corrective action as soon as an issue is noted.
- Look at the grounds of the facility, they should be neat and clear of overgrown vegetation as this attracts vermin. There should be no vegetation at all against the perimeter walls, and the perimeter should be graveled or cemented about eighteen inches out from the building.
- NEVER put foodstuffs in the storage space. Vermin have an excellent sense of smell and they will burrow their way through surrounding goods to reach the food. Food warehouses are able to store food items because they have specialized pest control programs, with a strong focus on preventing vermin or insects getting into the warehouse.
- Ask if the inside of the building is sprayed regularly against insects. If an infestation occurs, an investigation must be undertaken to discover how the insects are gaining access to the building and how they are able to multiply. Most warehouses have electrical zapper units to kill off insects.
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