public storage – Dino's Storage

Reasons for using winter storage

The days are now shorter, but still very nice weather to prepare for what could be a bitter winter. Whether it turns out that way or not, it is still very nice to be prepared for what may come our way.

One good thing to always do is to put your seasonal items away. Lawnmowers, rakes, gardening tools will all do better cleaned up and stored away from the elements in a nice climate controlled environment. Every spring we invest money to replace many of these items, while our diligent friends will tell us they get 10-12 years out of theirs.

Christmas presents I have always found to be a necessity to store away somewhere OTHER than in the house!

if you are a person who has decided to sell some belongings on Craigs List, it is much wiser to show the items to a stranger at a public place, other than your personal residence. Dino’s Storage leases are month to month, so if you have your ducks in a row, you can optimize the use of the storage unit you are using to get the best possible results.

Please write in and tell me suggestions that you may have.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL / CLIMATE CONTROL / HUMIDITY CONTROL-WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

The world of public storage is changing; and just as with everything else, you now have multiple choices. It can be hard to know what you need if you don’t know what it all means. Temperature control and climate control are basically the same thing. Many people make the mistake of thinking climate control means humidity control; but they are actually two different things.

Climate controlled storage spaces (also known as “temperature controlled” ) are cooled in the summer and heated in the winter. Severe hot or cold weather can damage items in storage units over a period of time. Things like wood furniture, electronics & media, wax, vinyl records, appliances, photos, & paintings tend to warp, crack, split, discolor. Most climate control facilities maintain a steady temperature of 50-80 degrees. As a general rule, the temperature in a climate-controlled storage unit should not fall below freezing in the winter or rise above 90 degrees in the summer. If the temperature in the region you live exceeds 90 degrees in the summer but does not freeze in the winter, air-conditioning would be a viable option to consider. Same with only extreme cold temperatures – a heated storage unit would work well. If your area experiences both extreme hot and cold temperatures, climate control is a definite must.

Humidity controlled storage spaces control and reduce humidity. Moisture and mold are two of the leading causes of damage. The best way to protect against humidity is to keep the air from going stale. Humidity controlled facilities are equipped with humidifiers that constantly circulate the air and reduce the amount of actual water vapor. Humidity is measured by percent. Between 25% – 45% is dry and 50% – 75% is normal. Most humidity controlled facilities keep the environment at no less than 40% and no more than 70%. This is the perfect choice of storage environments if you are storing musical instruments, fine furniture, electronics & media, paintings, fabrics, photos, irreplaceable items like precious family heirlooms or memorabilia, business documents and papers. It is especially important to choose this type of storage facility if you live in an area which has moderate to high humidity levels combined with high and or low temperatures. This is because the damaging effects of extreme temperatures on your belongings are multiplied when moisture is in the air as well.

Dino’s Storage facilities offer the comfort of climate control with the benefits of humidity control in one space. So you can rest assured that your valuables are secure in the best storage environment available.

IS MY STUFF INSURED?

This is a question I get occasionally while helping people with their storage needs. Or some people don’t even think to ask about insurance coverage; they’ve never used storage before and it doesn’t occur to them to ask.

And most are surprised when I say the answer is No, ANY storage facility will tell you they do not insure the items you put in the building. In no way, shape, or form can we be responsible for the items in the facility. In the event of a tornado, fire, flood, storm damage, theft, etc, etc.; the proper insurance coverage is the responsiblity of the tenant. It’s similar to renting a home, apartment, or business space. Your landlord doesn’t insure your belonging in your apartment and a storage facility can’t insure your belongings in your storage space.

I always tell my new tenants if you have homeowner’s insurance don’t just assume your things are covered while in storage; every policy is different and some only cover contents that are in the actual home. So when you move those contents out the home and into a storage unit; you may have 10% of your policy coverage for those items; or worse yet, no coverage at all!! I advise calling your agent and asking about something called “off premise policies”. Tell them “these items are going into a storage facility, do I have my FULL policy coverage?”. Depending on your individual policy, you may need to add some sort of renter’s rider or additional coverage.

A general renter’s policy will most times be sufficient to cover your belongs in storage, but again, every policy is different. So if you haven’t, it is still a good idea to call your agent and make sure you have proper coverage.

While Dino’s Storage itself doesn’t insure your belongings; we do work with a company that does. Bader Company is a storage insurance company that offers month to month policies, same as your storage lease. If you don’t have existing coverage for your storage unit, don’t want to shop a policy on your own, or simply want additional coverage; ask your manager; it’s simple and the premium can be added to your monthly storage rent. If it’s worth storing, it’s worth insuring!!

Contact Kerri at Center St for current specials this month, 402-504-4600 or Centerst@dinosstorage.com

STORAGE IS MOVING UP IN THE WORLD

I’ve noticed when some people inquire about public storage and I say “I’m a……multi level facility…” they say “Multi level? Do you have anything available on the 1st floor?”. But there are several great advantages to being high in the sky and Dino’s Storage will change how you may feel about a multi level building.

When Dino’s laid out the plans for our buildings we thought about our customers and did it better than some in the past, we installed elevators!! I had someone ask me once “Do you have elevators?”. Apparently they had used a multi level facility in Arizona and had to lug their belongings up stairs. I said “Yes we have elevators, not only do we have elevators; we have large freight elevators that will easily accommodate any big furniture pieces. You can even fit items loaded and wrapped on pallets. We also have flat carts available to our tenants for loading and unloading (yes, furniture fits on them too). Save your back and stop lugging heavy boxes. Just put them on a cart, step into the elevator, and roll your way down the aisles.

If you’ve ever used regular ground level storage you’ve probably had a manager or owner tell you “..to ensure you don’t come back to damaged belongings, it’s a good idea to put your stuff on pallets or up on boards and not directly on the concrete floor”. This is for several reason; but one is concrete is a porous material. When the ground is cold and the temperature in the unit is hotter, concrete can sweat. Which means condensation will collect on the floor (kind of like the tank on your toilet when you take a hot shower, or the windows in your car). So if your nice wooden furniture or cardboard boxes are directly on the concrete floor eventually it will wick up this condensation and can warp. This will not happen when you are off the ground.

Another concern with regular ground level storage is rodents. No matter what precautions you and/or the facility take; rodents can, and sometimes do find their way in. Especially in the winter. It’s cold outside and they scurry around the ground seeking shelter; as sometimesthat shelter is in your unit. Hey if you’re not on the ground you don’t have to worry!!

So when your thinking about what you want in a storage facility, set your sights a little higher. Once you store on the penthouse levels, you will want to stay there. And the best part is Dino’s doesn’t charge any extra for it, it’s just as affordale as the ground floor!!

Contact Kerry the Property Manager at Dino’s Storage in midtown Omaha for multi level climate control storage specials #402-504-4600, Centerst@dinosstorage.com