How to Prepare Your Storage Unit for Winter
It’s no secret that New York City has some of the harshest winters in America, and these conditions can affect many aspects of daily life. Freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, dangerous ice, and strong winds impact your activities, health, and how you care for your belongings.
If you rent a storage unit in New York City, it's important to winterize storage items to prevent damage from the cold, moisture, and pests. This Stop & Stor article covers key winter weather storage tips, including how to wrap, elevate, and repel rodents in a standard or climate-controlled unit.
The Best Way to Protect Your Things When Entering and Exiting the Storage Facility
The most important thing to consider when it comes to protecting your items securely using self-storage, is how to actually access the storage facility. Most self-storage buildings have loading docks that are open to the outside elements. Some might be covered, but you will still be exposed to the wind, snow and rain as well as freezing temperatures. Getting in and out during a typical New York City winter will certainly be a problem. The ideal solution is to find a company that provides direct “Drive-Thru” access in to and out of the building. This is one of the key features only found at Stop & Stor. Our exclusive Drive-Thru Buildings ensure your belongings are never exposed to the outside elements. This type of building also provides safe, indoor parking and eliminates the hassle of moving your car back & forth from the outdoor loading dock exposed to all kinds of weather.
1. Assess Your Storage Needs
The first step in preparing for winter storage is to assess your belongings and identify temperature-sensitive and moisture-prone items you have. For example, wood furniture, electronics, records, antiques, and holiday decorations may require extra care.
If you have many vulnerable pieces, it may be worth looking into climate-controlled storage at one of our New York facilities.
2. Protect Items from Cold and Moisture
You can keep fragile items warm and dry by wrapping them in bubble wrap, moving pads, or blankets. It is best to use moisture-absorbing materials for winter storage, such as silica gel, charcoal, and dehumidifiers.
For furniture, avoid placing plastic wrap directly onto the surfaces to prevent condensation buildup over time.
3. Elevate and Organize Your Storage Unit
Winter weather storage is effective when you use wooden boards, pallets, or shelves to keep items off the ground. Materials will be less prone to damage and warping when they are not exposed directly to a floor that experiences temperature fluctuations based on the weather outside.
As you organize your unit for winter storage, ensure that frequently needed items are placed at the front. You’ll improve navigability by creating a clear path through your unit for easy access.
4. Prevent Rodents and Pests
A winterized storage plan should also address pest control since rodents and insects often seek shelter in warm, dry places during the winter months. To prevent pest activity, it’s important to remember that your unit should not contain any food, scented items, or organic materials that could be used for nest building.
You can incorporate rodent repellents, such as peppermint oil and dryer sheets, into your storage unit. Rodents hate the smell of these things, and you can avoid harsh chemical rodenticides by sticking to natural repellents that don’t put your health at risk. Regularly inspecting your unit for any signs of fecal droppings, urine stains, or gnawed materials is also a smart idea.
5. Consider a Climate-Controlled Unit
Winter storage materials often do best in a climate-controlled unit. However, not everyone needs this added feature based on what they need to store away.
Climate-controlled units keep items at a consistent, ideal temperature and prevent belongings from developing mold or freezing. However, these units may come with a higher monthly fee because they are more expensive than standard units to build and maintain. You may be more limited in where you can rent a unit and need to drive farther to access your belongings if a climate-controlled unit is not available in your neighborhood.
Fortunately, climate-controlled units are available at most Stop & Stor locations to serve our Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan customers.
6. Secure Your Storage Unit
Once you’ve settled on a winter weather storage solution, investing in a weather-resistant lock, such as a disc or cylinder lock, is recommended. These types of locks are durable and prevent freezing, so you can easily access your unit whenever needed.
When you visit your storage unit, look for gaps or cracks that could become entry points for moisture or pests. Also, review your storage unit insurance policy to understand what winter weather-related risks are covered and what is your responsibility.
Contact Us for a Winter Storage Unit
We hope you've found this discussion of how to prepare storage units for winter helpful and are now ready to keep your belongings safe and protected throughout the year. We have been New York’s self-storage leader since 1980 and know what it takes to keep valuable items safe and protected during all types of weather.
You can view the locations and pricing of our winter storage units by searching for your zip code or address on our website. We also sell packing supplies, including mattress bags and furniture covers, at our facilities so that you can package and secure your belongings for peace of mind.
If you have further questions about winter storage, please contact us online or call 718-898-8000.
Established in 1980, Stop & Stor is a family owned and operated business that has become New York’s Self Storage Leader by offering cutting-edge facilities in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
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