Category Archives: Storage

Why wooden furniture, clothes and electronics need climate-controlled storage

temperature controlled storage

Understanding climate-controlled storage units

If you’re putting your belongings into storage, you need to think about the conditions in which they’re going to be kept. Certain items are more fragile than others and can be damaged over time by humidity, high and low temperatures, and light.

Not every storage unit offers climate-controlled storage, which allows temperature, humidity and airflow to be set at particular levels. Some units claim to offer climate controlled storage when in fact they only regulate for temperature. Make sure you check what you are getting before you commit to climate controlled storage.

Why do my belongings need to be in a climate controlled environment?

Large variations in humidity can cause natural materials such as wood, leather, cloth, felt and paper to expand or contract, metals to rust, piano keys to expand (and become stiff to use) and canvas to stretch and crack. If the air is too dry, glue can dry out and paper can become brittle, while too much humidity can lead to mould and mildew on works of art, textiles and upholstered furniture.

Changes in temperature have a similar effect on natural materials. Air conditioning, widely used as a method of temperature control, only makes things worse as it removes a lot of the water from the atmosphere. Wines in particular can be damaged by fluctuations in temperature and moisture.

By keeping your items – particularly those of value such as artworks, wines, furniture and musical instruments – in climate controlled storage, they enjoy a consistent temperature and level of humidity throughout. The changeable UK weather makes materials and electronics particularly susceptible to variations, making secure and temperature controlled storage even more crucial.

You can keep your belongings in a climate controlled environment indefinitely, and with complete peace of mind that they’ll still be in the same condition when it’s time to claim them back. Not only does that take a weight off your mind, it means the value of your items is preserved too.

How we can help

Kent removals and storage firm Colin Batt Removals provides award-winning, climate-controlled storage facilities in the heart of the county. They’re perfect for antiques, pianos, art, wine, documents and books – and anything else that needs special protection.

Our facilities maintain a temperature of 20°C, probably pretty much the same as you have in your home, and a safe humidity is constantly maintained. There are no windows, so your belongings won’t be damaged by ultraviolet light, and each item is carefully wrapped for further protection from light and physical damage. The building is protected by security guards, an electronic gate, CCTV and security and fire alarms.

Our Kent storage facilities are easy to get to from just about anywhere in the county, including the Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury Folkestone and Tonbridge areas – and of course, since we’re a removal firm, we can collect and deliver your belongings to any location you wish. To find out more about how we can take care of your treasured possessions, and get a free estimate, just give us a call on 01233 740395.

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    Storage Tips – Ten Top Tips for Storing Goods

    There are many reasons that you might need to use a professional storage service to temporarily store some of your household items. You might be redecorating your house in Maidstone, downsizing in Canterbury or emigrating for a few years from Ashford. Whatever your reason, here are our top storage tips to protect you and your furniture and to help you manage the storage process. These storage tips are there to help whether you are using a professional container storage solution, self-storage or even using a friend’s garage.

    Storage Tips - Professional StorageStorage Tips #1 – Dispose or Store

    Do you really need to store these items or would it be better to sell them or give them to charity? It can be expensive to store items that you are never going to use again so do challenge yourself on the real need to keep your items. We can help you dispose of any unwanted items by taking them to an auction or delivering them to a charity of your choice.

    Storage Tips #2 – Dangerous and Flammable Items

    Remove any perishable, flammable or dangerous goods from your storage items as well as any liquids e.g. gas canisters, petrol cans etc. Perishable goods will only rot and damage surrounding items. For safety and fire protection flammable or dangerous goods like acids cannot be stored. If you have items such as these that need storage you should contact a specialist dangerous goods storage company.

    Storage Tips #3 – White Goods

    If you are storing your white goods you need to make sure they are fully defrosted, drained and completely emptied. Water and food are not good items to store as they can leak and rot, damaging the rest of the items you have in store. To help with this you may wish to hire the services of a plumber to help disconnect your washing machine, dishwasher etc.

    Storage Tips - Container StorageStorage Tips #4 – Future Access

    Before you pack and send your items to store have a think whether you may need access to any of the items while you are in store. For instance, avoid storing your insurance documents and passport etc. Make a note if there are items that are more likely to be required than others and tell your removal company what these items are so that they can store them in more readily accessible areas.

    Storage Tips #5 – Owner Packed Goods

    When using a professional removals storage service, we recommend you ask your removal company to pack all the items you wish to store. Removals companies cannot insure items that have been packed by the owner as they cannot confirm the condition of the item nor the quality of the packing prior to removal. We realise that this may be an additional expense you cannot afford and so if you do pack items yourself make sure all heavy items are placed at the bottom of boxes, all items are wrapped and boxes are not over filled. You can also purchase your own insurance to protect yourself if you self-pack.

    Storage Tips -Professional StorageStorage Tips #6 – Oversize Items

    A professional removal company will take your goods away and store them in purpose built wooden containers. These containers are approximately 7x7x5feet or 215x215x150cm and can store approximately 250cubic feet or 7m3 of goods. Self-Storage units come in various sizes from a floor space of 16 square feet up to 400 square feet. This means any large and oversize items of furniture that cannot fit into these containers or rooms will need special handling e.g. a ladder or a large sofa. Most professional companies have designated areas to be able to store these items. Let your storage company know if you have any oversize items to store so that they can prepare the appropriate space and equipment for your furniture.

    Best Piano MakersStorage Tips #7 – Piano Storage & Antique Storage

    Pianos and antiques are especially delicate and fragile items that require special handling and storage.  With pianos or antiques we would always recommend you use a professional storage company and mover to transport your goods. They will have the right equipment, skills and insurance to move these delicate and often heavy goods. When you are storing these items ask about heated rooms or environmentally controlled areas to keep your piano or antique in the best condition.

    Storage Tips - Container Storage Inventory Storage Tips #8 – Storage Inventory

    Once you have decided exactly what you want to store make a comprehensive list of all these items, including their condition and value (for insurance purposes). If at all possible we recommend you take pictures of your items so that you have a record of their condition. If you are using a professional removals storage service your removals company will make an inventory and condition report for you.

    Storage Tips #9 – Storage Insurance

    When you are selecting your storage company make sure you ask them about their insurance. You want a fully comprehensive insurance to protect you from any accidents that may happen, as well as fire and theft. Accidents are rare but you want peace of mind that your goods are protected should the worst happen. You also need to check that the full value of your goods are covered rather than only part of their full value.

    Storage Tips #10 – Pack Early & Use Quality Materials

    Packing takes time, it is not a quick job to sort, dismantle, wrap and pack all of your items and you have to fit it around work and family life. As such start your packing as early as possible and plan on doing a little bit each day and week. You can buy packing materials from any reputable removal company whether you plan to store with them or not. If you are sourcing your own materials make sure to buy ‘double-walled’ boxes and strong tape – the boxes need to be strong enough to take all the weight and be built to last. When packing your storage boxes remember they will be stacked together so make sure you fill every box and tape them shut.

    Storage Tips - Packing Materials-Colin Batt Removals

    Off-site storage can free up important space to give you more room to work, decorate or declutter. Whether you use professional container storage or self-storage you should plan ahead and get prepared, prior preparation really dies pay dividends. Our storage tips will help to get you sorted and ensure your goods are well protected. Give us a call if you have any other questions or concerns regarding storage. We will be more than happy to talk through your issues and help where we can.