If you need to place some or all of your belongings in a storage unit, making the best and safest use of that space is quite important. As part of that, utilizing specific stacking and packing practices is a good idea, as effective planning will be quite useful to the storage and retrieval process. Therefore, instead of moving everything into the storage unit, it's best to apply the following advice as you are making the necessary preparations.       

Opt For Metal Shelves For Fragile, Breakable Or Electronic Items

One of the more common mistakes seen when packing a storage unit is seen when smaller, breakable, etc. items are wrapped and placed into boxes. If those boxes are placed directly onto the floor and items fall onto them, damage can occur to one or more of those items. If the box in question is placed on a flat surface higher up, such as a table or chest of drawers, it could also get knocked off or otherwise incur damage.

Instead, opt to use shelves. By securely bracing those shelves against and between walls, its movement is unlikely. By wrapping, insulating and otherwise limiting the movement of the item, damage is less likely. Therefore, you can expect that your belongings are often going to be safer.   

Make The Supportive Items Within The Storage Unit Waterproof

In many instances, couches, beds and other big pieces of furniture go on the bottom of the stored items. Unfortunately, that means that if the worse happens and water somehow infiltrates the storage unit, those fabric- based items are compromised first and accrue the maximum amount of damage. Since mold can develop in as little as 24 hours and is incredibly difficult to get out of fabrics, home furnishings, etc., water can disastrous to your stored items.

Fortunately, it is often possible to prevent or minimize the water damage by protecting those support items. One option for doing so is thoroughly wrapping each item in plastic sheeting, paying special attention to the ends and corners. In addition, taping those sections is also helpful and if possible, storing even support items above the ground can further reduce the chances of water damage.   

In conclusion, protecting the items in a storage unit not only makes it easier to access them in the future without fear of damage, but also minimizes the likelihood of impacting the items while they are in the facility. As a result, using the advice shared in the above sections to plan for the appropriate placement of your items in the unit is a good idea.  

For more information, contact a business such as I-70 Self Storage.