Phone: 217-234-4477
Email: storage@willaredt.com
Important Packing & Storage Information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION EVERY RENTER SHOULD KNOW
Other storage facilities may not tell you this but we want you to know: At any self storage facility, ours or any other, your goods are stored at your own risk and the facility does not provide any guarantee, warranty or insurance from loss, theft or damage. The facility only insures their building but not your stored goods. Some storage places will sell you an insurance policy but these are usually not a good deal and you are better off getting your own insurance. Some Homeowner's policies include "stored goods" insurance so you might already be covered. Therefore, we strongly recommend every renter check with their insurance agent in order to protect yourself from loss, be it theft, tornado, fire, or any other peril or disaster. If you chose to not buy insurance then you are choosing to "Self Insure" and you will have no recourse if something happens. This is why we strongly recommend every renter obtain insurance from their insurance agent. If storing a motor vehicle of any kind (car, truck, boat, motorcycle, RV, Camper) or high value items, we require you to maintain insurance at all times while these high-value items are being stored. We hope you appreciate that we are up-front and honest about telling you this.
Also Very Important
* Do not store food or any item that could attract pests.
* Do not put mattresses or cardboard boxes directly on concrete floors.
* Do not store anything that could be damaged by freezing or split open.
* Do not store hazardous, flammable, combustible, or regulated products,
including paint, paint thinners, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, or propane in a
storage unit.
* Open the unit every month or so to inspect and air out, especially in
hot, humid weather.
* We strongly recommend you use a humidity control product like Damp-Rid™ during humid weather to reduce humidity in your storage unit.
Good Locks Are Important!
Purchase a good quality, heavy duty keyed lock. Your stored goods are worth it!
Do not use light weight, combination or gun locks. Look for a lock with a
Hardened Steel Shackle no larger than 3/8-inch. A Chateau C870 or C970 are excellent locks as they are designed specifically for self storage use. We sell Chateau locks at an excellent price. You are free to provide your own lock if you have one.
Tips for Items You May Store
Furniture
It's a good idea to wax wood furniture before storing
it. Disassemble bed frames and tie them together. Store frames in back corner
to prevent them from falling over on other items. Use zip-lock bags to store
screws and bolts then tape the bag of parts to the items that they belong to.
If you stack furniture items, place pads, blankets, or towels between them to
prevent scratching.
Take down lawn furniture and remove legs from tables if possible.
Don't use plastic to cover items as moisture can condense under it. Consider
covering items using sheets or cotton cloth.
Wrap mattresses in mattress bags or cover with cloth. Stand
mattress on blocks or pallets to allow airflow and to prevent moisture from
getting to them. Do not stand mattresses on bare concrete, protect by standing
on blocks or a plastic barrier.
Label all boxes with the items it contains and room. Consider the
weight of what you are putting in boxes. Use two smaller boxes rather than one
heavy box. Use plastic zipper bags for small items and pack these bags in a
moving box or plastic tote.
Crystal, China, and Fine Glassware
Consider buying boxes designed for this with dividers. Wrap each item with
paper or foam. Label boxes with glass items and stack these on top. Add packing
material to both the bottom and the top of the moving boxes.
Pictures and Mirrors
Wrap pictures that are small and stand them on end in boxes. For larger ones,
buy special picture moving boxes. Consider using foam or bubble wrap.
Electronic Equipment
It is a good idea to use the original boxes.
Otherwise, use cushion material such as bubble wrap, cushion foam, and even
wadded up newspaper. Pack items separately. Use small boxes to reduce weight.
Consider the temperature as extreme heat can warp records and CD’s.
Clothing, Curtains, Drapes
It is a good idea to store drapes and clothing hanging
on non-rusting hangers. You can buy moving boxes designed for this called
wardrobe boxes. Store clothes in drawers to conserve space.
If storing wool items, use cedar chips and/or mothballs to prevent moth damage.
Kitchen Items
Put several small appliances in a box. Put small wares
inside larger appliances. Be sure to put packing material between them. Stack
pots, pans & bowls with padding in between & store inside a stove.
Appliances
Tape doors shut while moving. Wedge doors open in storage to prevent
mildew… ESPECIALLY REFRIGERATORS. Use the inside
of appliances as storage space for items such as blankets, towels, pots and
pans. Store laundry items inside the washer and dryer.
Be sure bottles of liquids will not leak. Remove all water from appliances to
protect from damage in freezing temperatures.
Natural Threats
Freezing can be a problem. Do not store items that
could break when frozen. Do not store food items or any item that may attract
pests.
Moisture, Mold & Mildew
Mold & mildew can be a problem in humid Illinois summers. We recommend
using a product such as Damp-Rid™ to help prevent mildew, mold, and musty
odors. This will reduce moisture in the air inside the storage unit thereby
protecting clothes, books, and furniture.
Concrete can sweat from temperature change. Cardboard boxes,
cloth, or a mattress set directly on concrete can draw moisture from the
concrete floor.
Protect your goods by laying down plastic or setting boxes up on
pallets or blocks. Air circulation
space between boxes and walls helps prevent mold and mildew.
Hard rain or melting ice may cause water seepage around doors so
keep sensitive items off the floor near doors.
Books and other valuables
Pack books together in small moving boxes or plastic totes. Big moving boxes of
books can weigh too much. Store your valuable papers in plastic totes. Put
cardboard boxes up on pallets or something to keep them off the floor.
Metals
It’s a good idea to put a few drops of oil or
WD-40 on items that might rust. Be sure these items don't come in contact with
other sensitive items.
YOUR SUCCESS IN STORING IS COMPLETELY DEPENDENT UPON YOU MONITORING AND PROTECTING YOUR GOODS. WE RECOMMEND OPENING YOUR UNIT ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO CHECK YOUR STORED GOODS. SINCE WE DO NOT KEEP A KEY TO YOUR STORAGE UNIT, WE CAN NOT MONITOR IT FOR YOU. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PACKING, MOVING, AND SELF STORAGE NEEDS. IT IS OFFERED "AS IS" AND NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED IS OFFERED. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF STORAGE RENTAL IS ASSUMED BY THE USER. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE.
Willaredt
Self Storage
Dean Willaredt, General Manager
Phone 217-234-4477