Hoarders like myself need a lot of space to store all our things. Sadly, in my case, it’s difficult to keep all my belongings in my home. I live in a small 2-bedroom condo in downtown Montreal so you can only imagine how much space I have for my things.
So over the years, I have rented quite a few storage units in Montreal. If you have the same space problems at home, you can opt to rent one (or two) as well. But before doing so, you need to be aware of a few things first:
Wrap Your Stuff
As much as possible, use an industrial plastic wrap for all the things you put inside a storage unit. When they’re properly sealed, your things are protected from dust and pests, enabling them to stay clean and new for a long time.
Use Pallets
There’s no guarantee that water, snow and other elements won’t get inside your unit so keep your items off the floor with the help of pallets.
Label Everything
Six months from now you’ll forget some of the things you have put inside your unit. Or worse, you won’t remember which box contains what. To prevent this, you should label each item/container/box. You should also have a checklist of the items you have inside your unit.
Get a Durable Lock
Storage facilities in Montreal usually have good security but that doesn’t mean you can just be careless. Buy an all-weather padlock for your unit and make sure it has a short arm so that no bolt cutter can slide in.
Be Ready for Changes in Temperature
Some items can easily be damaged from extreme temperature changes. These include furniture, electronics, old photographs, vinyl records, etc. These items need to be double-wrapped or placed in a unit that has temperature control. Otherwise, keep them in your home.
Take Care of Your Unit
Most tenants of storage units know the importance of protecting their belongings while in storage but very few are aware that it’s just as important to protect the space you’re renting. You could pay a hefty fine if the unit gets damaged while you’re using it. I’d advise you to plastic off the floors and walls just to be on the safe side.
Use Your Space Wisely
You’ll soon realize that even a big storage space will eventually run out of space for you to store all your things. So you need to use your space as wisely as possible. Stack it up from the floor to the ceiling, and know how to do it effectively, safely and securely as well.
Insure Your Belongings
The best way to keep your items protected is to insure them. Ask the storage facility you’re using if they offer this option. If not, you can ask your insurance agent to include this as an add-on to your policy. It will probably cost you no more than $10 each month in exchange for your peace of mind.
