It’s that time of year again… the time of year where temperatures are dropping and you’re not spending as much time outside as before. It’s time to start thinking about storing your toys for the winter.
Do you have a 4-wheeler (or other ATV), jet ski or motorcycle that won’t be used until spring? We know these are items you love and cherish your time spent using them. We also know it can be hard to store these large and bulky “toys” and all too often they get stored in our driveways or backyards. And even if you have an oversized garage with space for them, are you heating it year-round? If not, the temperature fluctuations can be damaging your treasured toys. Also, protecting your toys from the elements (snow, wind, rain, etc.) will ensure many years of fun ahead too!
So, if the garage, your yard or driveway isn’t the answer to storing your 4-wheeler, jet ski or motorcycle, what is? Self storage! Self-storage is a great, affordable choice to free up space on your property and provide a climate controlled environment to prolong the life of your favorite toys. If this is your first time renting a storage unit, take a read through our “Beginners Guide to Renting a Storage Unit” for tips on what to expect and look for in a storage unit.
After selecting a storage unit, you will then want to prepare your toy for long term storage. Although your toys may not need the same level maintenance and preparation as storing a car, it is still important to go through a quick checklist before you give it a rest.
- Thoroughly wash and clean
- Drain the engine and add fuel stabilizer
- Remove the battery/add a trickle charger
- Change the oil
- Inflate tires (if it has them)
- Cover with a breathable fabric
Following these basic steps should ensure your toys are in top shape when you’re ready to start having fun with them again next year!
We’d love to help you with your short and long term storage needs at Pearman Dairy Self Storage in Anderson, South Carolina. We have various size storage units for your storage of 4 wheelers, jet skis, motorcycles and more! Please contact us to today!
Are you in need of a storage unit? Is this your first time renting one? People look to renting storage units for many reasons, moving, military assignment, or to reduce clutter and organize their homes. Whatever your reason, here are the basics you should ask yourself before renting a unit.
What type of storage unit do you need?
This should be the first question you ask. There are four main types of storage units to consider:
- Standard Accessible Storage Units – available in many sizes to fit your needs/the number of items you’re looking to store.
- Climate Controlled Storage Units – available in many sizes and perfect for storing items sensitive to extreme heat, cold and humidity. For example, furniture, clothing, documents, and photographs need to be in climate-controlled, air-conditioned storage.
- Vehicle, RV & Boat Storage Units – facilities or lots (covered or uncovered) specifically for storing cars, boats, motor homes or other recreational vehicles.
- Drive-up Storage Units – sometimes call self-storage garages, with immediate drive up access. These are typically not climate controlled.
Take into account what you are looking to store and search for the type of storage unit you will need.
Do you need a climate controlled storage unit?
Most storage units available are climate controlled and as mentioned above, it is necessary to protect your belongings from heat, cold and humidity. In doing so, it can prevent things like furniture warping and cracking, mold and mildew buildup, among other gross things from happening within your unit.
What should I look for in a storage unit?
While searching for self storage units in your area, we recommend considering these additional key features:
- Hours – is access limited to certain hours or available 24 hours a day?
- Pest control – do they regularly spray to keep bugs and rodents out?
- Security – is there full-time security? Surveillance cameras throughout the site? Are there door alarms and individual keypads?
- Sizes available – are there sizes large enough for my items?
- Pricing and contracts – are month-to-month leases available? Are discounts offered for longer terms? Is online payment/billing available?
- Positive online reviews – do people have good things to say about the facility?
Do I need insurance?
Check your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies as some cover items in storage up to a certain dollar amount. If not, you will need to consider purchasing an individual policy for your items in storage. Not all but many storage facilities require you to have insurance for your unit.
Hopefully the information detailed above gives you enough information on how to rent a storage unit! If you have additional questions, please contact us! At Pearman Diary Self Storage of Anderson South Carolina are happy to answer any questions you may have and hope to make your first self storage experience a positive one.
We all wish summer could last forever, but unfortunately, we know that’s not the case. It’s time to embrace the changing colors and the crunching sound of leaves among us. When cooler temperatures arrive, it is a good time to evaluate which tools, equipment or clothes won’t be used for the next several months. Fall is a great time for cleaning, organizing and storing.
There are many belongings that simply aren’t used once winter arrives and it’s a great opportunity to clean out your summer items and store them away. When space is tight at home or in your garage, many people turn to self storage. It is an easy, short term solution to get things like your gardening tools, sports equipment, seasonal clothing, and more out of the way.
As you look at what won’t be used for the next season, you can also determine if you’ve used an item at all. If it’s something that doesn’t suit you anymore, instead of storing it, set it aside to donate to someone who will use it.
Next up, clean out your closets and wardrobes. Store away summer clothes and swimsuits and make room for heavier coats, sweaters, and styles for the cooler months. If your closet is large enough, rotate items that won’t be used now to harder to reach places and shift your fall fashion to the front. If your closet isn’t big enough for this, box up your summer pieces for self storage. Be sure your boxes have a detailed label of what’s in it. You’ll want to easily find your swimming suit if you plan on a winter vacation or the temps creep a little higher than normal!
And finally, as part of your fall organization, you’ll want to tackle the garage. There are likely many items here that can be stored for the winter, including tillers, hedge trimmer,s gardening tools, and summer sports equipment, just to name a few. Removing these from your garage for the cooler months will reduce clutter and free up space for your car on those chilly mornings!
If you don’t currently have a self storage unit to help with your fall storage and organization, feel free to contact Pearman Dairy Self Storage of Anderson South Carolina. We are here to help with all your storage needs and questions!
Interested in one of our self storage units in Anderson, SC? We’re sharing our most commonly asked questions. These are things you should consider when looking for a storage unit to best fit your needs. However, if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact our awesome, on-site team!
The big day has finally arrived! You’ve planned, organized and packed and now the move is happening. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all that happens in one day, so here is a quick list to think through (and keep on hand!) to make sure you’ve covered all your bases on moving day.
1. Final walkthrough of current home – while walking through your current home and checking to make sure nothing’s left behind, you’ll also want to take a moment to say a proper “goodbye” to your house. This is especially helpful if you’re moving with kids. It will help them feel a sense of closure from one place to the next. Recall favorite memories you have and talk about the new fun you’ll have at your next home.
2. Keep valuables with you – important papers, passports, jewelry, and other irreplaceable items should be packed before movers arrive and kept with you. Take special care to set these boxes aside and clearly label that they are not to be loaded on to the moving truck. Better yet, load and lock them in the car so they’re ready to go with you.
3. Meet the movers – Welcome and introduce yourself to the movers when they arrive; ensure it is the company you hired and that all workers are employees of that company. Review with the movers what is being moved and point out any items that need special care or that are not to be moved. Point out anything that should be unloaded first to ease in the setup at your new house (for example, bedding, kitchen and bath items). Understand the paperwork and inventory lists they will be giving you and the expected timeline for delivery. If you cannot be onsite to supervise the entire move, enlist the help of a trusted family member or friend.
4. Take care of your moving team – whether you’ve hired professionals or have family and friends helping you, plan to provide refreshments and an easy lunch or dinner as a thank you. No one expects you to cook an elaborate meal in the chaos of a move but pizza, cookies, breakfast treats, etc., go a long way in showing your appreciation. Also, if you have hired professionals it is a good idea to decide ahead of time if you are going to tip them and have cash on hand. It certainly isn’t necessary, but many people do tip the head mover (typically the driver) and let them disperse the tip to the full crew.
5. Arrange care for children and pets – on the day of your move, you will want to keep your kids, pets and your moving team safe. The easiest way to ensure no one is tripped over or in the way is to arrange for kids and pets to be cared for. Hire a sitter or ask a friend if your young one can hang out with them for the day. Everyone will have a better day because of this!
6. Final cleaning – you’ve likely already completed a deep clean but consider keeping out your broom, dustpan and a container of sanitizing wipes. Once the boxes are cleared out, you can make one final pass-through of each room. As you finish a room, be sure to check that all closets, cabinets, and drawers are empty, close and lock all windows and doors and turn off all lights.
Whether you’re moving across the country or across town, we hope we’ve helped better prepare you for your moving day. If you are moving to Anderson, South Carolina, and need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call us. Pearman Dairy Self Storage has a variety of storage units for short and long-term needs.
You’ve rented a storage unit, so now what? You have extra stuff, or not enough space at your current house, and you want to maximize your Pearman Dairy Self Storage unit. We’ve seen lots of storage units over the years and they’ve varied greatly in how they’ve been organized. There’s no one right way to organize your storage unit, but we’ve gathered our top tips to help you make the most of your space.
1. Use the same size boxes or plastic bins
As you start packing for what will be stored in your storage unit, consider using the same size boxes or totes for most, if not all your items. The fewer sizes you use, the easier it is to stack and the easier it is to access your belongings.
If you can spare a few extra dollars, it may be worth it to purchase plastic bins. Clear plastic containers make it easy to see what’s inside each bin without digging through it. This will save you time when you access your storage unit.
2. Label, label, label
Regardless of whether you use cardboard boxes or plastic bins, label EVERYTHING and be specific. Don’t just write “living room”; detail out what’s inside each box. This way you won’t have to open a box to remember what’s inside when you are looking for something in your unit.
3. Create an inventory of all items stored
Take your labeling to the next level and create an inventory of all items in your storage unit. While packing, write a master inventory of all items packed and number the box you put it in.
It’s difficult to remember everything you’ve packed, and this step will help you account for all items going in and out of your storage unit. You may want to consider a general map indicating where your belongings are inside your unit also.
4. Protect your valuables
While packing for storage, you may not think it’s necessary to wrap valuables as carefully as you would, for example, for a cross country move. However, you’ll be stacking boxes on top of each other and moving them around from time to time when you’re going through your unit. So, take the time to wrap your fragile items in paper or bubble wrap to be sure they’re safe and sound when you want them.
5. Disassemble what you can
Headboards, large tables, tv stands, etc, should be disassembled to maximize storage space. Bundle and wrap together and keep all screws in a bag taped to the bundle. Store items upright and towards the back of the storage unit. This will make more floor space for your other items.
6. Put heavy items on the bottom towards the back
This is a tip you don’t want to forget! Start by putting large, heavy items on the bottom towards the back of your storage unit. Remember this unless you want smaller/lighter boxes to be crushed. This will also create a solid base for stacking your boxes.
7. Place frequently used items towards the front
Have in mind items you will access more frequently than others and plan to place those near the front of your unit for easier access. It may be seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, camping supplies, etc.
8. Go vertical
Another way to maximize your storage space is to go vertical as much as possible. This includes storing larger items upright as mentioned before but also stacking boxes as high as possible. If you’re worried about stability it is also a great idea to use sturdy shelving. (Most storage facilities allow shelving if it’s not bolted to the wall.)
9. Make an aisle
Now that everything’s packed, it’s time to transfer your items to your storage unit. You may be tempted to do this as quickly as possible, but it’s in your best interest to take some time and plan an aisle. An aisle down the middle of your unit will allow you to view and access things throughout your entire unit without having to move as many things around. Have all your labeled boxes face the aisle, and you’ll be set!
10. Consider a larger unit
You’ve wedged everything in and can just close the door! Congratulations!? You may feel very accomplished, but this will make retrieving anything from your storage unit very difficult. A little extra space may be just what you need to organize your unit, create an aisle for more accessibility, or give you room to add shelving.
Obviously, you don’t want to pay for space you won’t use, but Pearman Dairy Self Storage is happy to help you find the right storage unit for you in Anderson, SC. Contact us today to help determine the right storage unit for you!