Interstate U Stor Blog

As Winter approaches, it is key to prepare your car and equipment for storage to ensure they remain in good condition and are ready to go when the weather begins to warm up.  Obviously, vehicles and equipment may be placed in heated storage units to reduce the need to prepare them for cold weather.  We have units for that very need if you so desire.  They cost a bit more, but the time savings and extended life you will  see in your motorized possessions will be worth it.

If you select a standard unit or a heated unit is not available, preparation will help prevent damage and reduce maintenance for a smooth start come springtime.

To winterize cars, here are some tips.

• Wash and wax your vehicle.  After the wash apply a protective wax coating to protect the paint from the elements. Pay special attention to the rims and tires.  Cleaning and conditioning rubber trim, moldings, and tries can help prevent any cracking and fading. Applying Rust-Resistant coating to the undercarriage and suspension components can help protect against rust and corrosion.
• Cleaning and vacuuming the vehicle interior can help prevent rust, mold, mildew, or any damage done to the upholstery and flooring.  Don’t forget to leave the window open just a crack for air circulation.  When it comes to leather, it’s important to condition leather seats, paneling, and the dashboard to prevent cracking and drying.
• When it comes to mechanical aspects of your vehicles, the basics include.

–              Oil Change, ensuring it has fresh oil to prevent corrosion.

–              Check all fluid levels, topping them off if needed such as antifreeze, brake fluid, and transmission fluid.

–              Battery Maintenance, you can either disconnect the battery or use a trickle charger to prevent discharge.

–              Add Fuel Stabilizer to prevent gasoline breakdown and corrosion.

–              Check tire pressure, adding air if needed to avoid cracking of the tires which comes with bulging in underfilled tires.

Winterizing small engines such as lawn mowers and generators, draining fuel tanks is important to prevent corrosion and stale fuel. Cleaning or replacing air filters can assist with future engine performance. Small four-cycle engines also need an oil change to prevent corrosion.  Fresh oil circulated prior to storage goes a long way to extending engine life.

Again, the ideal option is our indoor heated storage for your Boat or RV.   But if you chose not to select that option, here are a few tips.

• Drain all applicable water systems to prevent freezing and cause any unwanted damage.
• Cleaning and disinfecting the interior (including appliances and fixtures) will reduce unwanted smells.
• As discussed above relative to cars, follow all external cleaning and engine preparation protocols.

Storing your vehicle as discussed (if you are not storing it in one of our heated units), not only gives you peace of mind, but also can help you save time and money by preventing any major issue which could occur without proper preparation.  Remember, ALWAYS FOLLOW MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATION WHEN PLACING YOUR VEHICLE IN STORAGE.

Can Clutter Affect Your Mental Health?

Have you ever questioned how significant an impact clutter can have on your mental health, and how many people struggle with clutter on a daily basis?

Clutter can be everywhere, and we don’t even see it.  It can be at work with piles of paper work on your desk, or a pile of documents that need to filed. It can be at home with clothes covering your bedroom floor.  Clutter can be in your kitchen, on counters, in drawers, or in cabinets.

Don’t forget about a cluttered garage.  Garages are spaces that easily become cluttered with items not in need at the moment or are out of season.   

Jaime Hord Founder at Horderly Professional Organizing once said, “Clutter and mess can consciously or unconscious affect you mentally”.  

Hopefully, these decluttering tips can help relieve some stress and provide you with motivation to organize your surroundings.

How Did It Start?

Sometimes we don’t realize what causes so much stress, anxiety, and a feeling of being overwhelmed.  Realizing what caused the clutter in the first place, plays a big part in avoiding making the same mistake repeatedly.   You need to ask yourself how did I allow this to happen?

We all create life projects.  Unfortunately, many turn out to be unfinished projects; never completed due to unexpected life changing events, or a lack of motivation, or even depression and anxiety.

With everything going on in the world around you, it tends to clutter your mind is with ideas, thoughts, and half-finished plans.  Sometimes clutter can turn into hoarding……..Not knowing how to let go of items. Some people even start gaining sentimental with items they do not even have a need for.

Baby Steps

Decluttering can be overwhelming, so start with that one small area.  Clean out a single junk drawer.   Starting there, you’ll quickly find yourself cleaning another area, then another, and finally, an entire room is done.  Noticing how clean and organized one area turns out almost leads to an addiction to get the rest done.  

Taking baby steps like these is a great and healthy way to start decluttering.  If you try to get the job done all at once, you will only overwhelm yourself.   Taking one area at a time, setting reasonable expectations has a much better likelihood of leading to success.   Trying to do too much will only slow you down.   Pick a small area and start by getting rid of those items you don’t need or are in less than perfect condition.

We have all said, “I’ll reuse it again”.   Be honest, we won’t reuse that rundown item even if we can find it again among all the other items we have said that about.  It is just taking up space. Donation is a great way to give back and allow others to actually take another turn with it.   But only rent a storage unit if you have things worth storing.  Otherwise, you can set up a table for free at one of our periodic garage sales and turn those unwanted items into cash.

Clearing out the first space, even if it’s a small area, it will bring some calm back into your life and motivate you to keep going. The first step is the most critical in the entire process.

You’re Not Alone

Do not hesitate to ask for help.  When we are struggling to get control of a project,  we feel alone, afraid to ask for help, afraid people will judge you if they see what you’re dealing with.  It is exactly the opposite.  People like being needed, and having an extra hand or a support system can really make the process fun.   Help is closer than you think.  There are companies that specialize in decluttering projects and a consultation from one of them is extremely helpful.   Accepting that you could use a hand is a big step in reducing you sense of being overwhelmed.

Make It A Habit

Everyone has several routines they do every day.  Create a schedule.  Make decluttering a routine.   Schedule a half hour at the same time every day for a week then move on from there if necessary.  Samuel Johnson once said, “The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”

When you’re dealing with the anxiety clutter produces, take a deep breath as you approach that half-hour of your daily routine when you declutter.  It’ll become easier if you remind yourself, you are only dealing with a small area.  It is just a few items, most of which you really do not care about.  Before you know It, you’ll be done. Having a clean and organized space, you will feel a sense of relief.  It will feel like you can breathe again.

Achieve The Purpose

It is often said, “Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor its anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.”   You can’t improve your life without letting go or changing the things you don’t like.  As we get older we realize what we truly want in life and frequently all those meaningless possessions are getting in the way of seeing what is truly important. 

Have you ever wondered why so many Self-Storage facilities are built from the ground up rather than simply refurbishing big-box store buildings?   It’s for the same reason that multi-story Self-Storage facilities are not common unless they cannot be avoided due to land costs.   It all boils down to weight. 

Self-Storage has one of the most weight-intensive requirements of any building use out there.   Building codes require yards of footings and reinforced slabs because it must be assumed that storage facilities will be stacked wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling with heavy boxes.  To re-purpose a big-box site, a Self-Storage developer frequently needs to remove the previous building entirely — including the concrete slabs.   The costs of going up to a second floor, let alone a third floor, are quite expensive in terms of all the reinforced engineering which must take place. 

The weight issue taxes not only the concrete flooring, but also the elevators which lift all those boxes, sofas, beds, tables, and electronics as well.   

So, if you are considering renting that second-floor unit, think not only about the fire sprinkler system that likely runs through the hallways ready to sprinkle your stored items at the slightest provication — but also about the fact that waiting, while someone else moves their boxes in and out of a small elevator packed to the gills, is just one problem you’re likely to encounter.   Getting stuck in that overtaxed elevator, which just lifted all that weight for someone else, is yet another potential problem…not to mention the elevator door closing half-way, only to open again, and then close again, after repeatedly banging into a box stuffed in the way to keep the elevator from departing the second floor.

In short, there are many good reasons why single floor storage facilities are favored in the industry, by tenants and builders alike:

• They are safer, because you are always by your car if something untoward happens.
• They don’t require fire sprinklers, which can go off and damage your property.
• They are less costly to build (if the land is available), resulting in lower rental fees.
• They are much easier for tenants to use, because tenants can drive right up to their unit(s).
• No one has to worry about getting stuck in an elevator on a Sunday afternoon or late in the evening.

If you have a choice, a single-story storage experience may be your smartest choice.

Reliving the evocative times of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s is what Hot August Nights is all about.  Many classic car owners are pulling out their vehicles from garages or drive ways, not realizing the benefits of storing their highly valued vintage cars in a storage facility.   Here are a few reasons why you should consider Self Storage for your Classic Vehicle;

One of the most important reasons to store your classic vehicle in a storage facility is protection.  You won’t have to worry about sun, water and snow damaging your prize possession.  Damage from people passing by your vehicle in the garage and accidently bumping into it or scratching it can be avoided.  We can only guess the amount of money it would be for repairs, but as a Classic car owner, you know how pricy it can be.

Nobody can completely avoid theft even in the nicest, safest neighborhood in town.   But you can minimize that risk by storing your classic car in a Storage Facility that provides computerized security, individual door alarms, and requires everyone to be in possession of a disc lock specially designed for storage.  Additionally, having a resident manager living at the facility gives you peace of mind, knowing your Classic Car is being stored where somebody is living onsite.

Having a cluttered garage at home can be genuinely stressful due to not having enough room to work. We all know how much space a vehicle can take up, so by storing your classic vehicle in a 10×20 storage unit, you will free up space for any other items you need to store at home.   Additionally, some facilities are offer temperature control drive up units. Check them out and see which type of storage unit fits your storage needs.

Paying a facility to store your excess belongings should be a last resort.   We are here for you if you need us, but make certain first-off that you need us.   In this region of the country, there are really two good options apart from a storage facility once the hallway closet and garage have reached maximum capacity.  The garage is the most obvious while the attic is less so.   Each will be covered in separate blog posts.

To maximize your garage space, follow these proven steps;

• Remove everything from your garage so that you can see what you have to work with.  The goal with this first step is that once the garage is empty, you have to decide if you need the items which are outside of it enough to put them back.  If the answer is no, then there are three tried and true methods of making unwanted items go away:  The garbage, donation, and the garage sale (be it the old fashion posting of flyers, the flea market, or online through a Facebook, Nextdoor or Craigslist sites).   Remember, if you have not used something in 2 years, you will likely not miss it once it is gone.
• Decide on how you want to go about the garage storage project.  This is the fun part.   Go to www.YouTube.com  and type in Garage Shelving and  Garage Cabinets  and Garage Tool Storage.   You will encounter all sorts of ideas you had not previously considered to guide your efficiently and economically as you visit the Big Box Store.    Visit the Big Box store to supply your needs in terms of organizational items as premade cabinets, shelving, totes and hanging systems.  To make certain that the bins and cabinets you choose fit your space, bring a tape measure and know how much garage space you have to work with.
• Start organizing your items into the space you have created, labeling boxes and totes so you know what is in them.   Also, put heavier items lower down to make them easier to access and so that they do not crush items you might have thought about putting them on top of.  Tools with long handles should be hung while smaller hand tools are easily placed on pegboards or shelving for easy accessibility.

It is natural to feel a bit overwhelmed when you start your garage reorganization project, but if you attack one area at a time, you will notice that after the first area is done, you develop a mental battle plan for dealing with the other areas.   This reorganization will not happen overnight.  Take it step-by step and don’t burn yourself out by trying to get it done in one day.

First, you’ll want to begin looking for a storage unit with key features for your artwork. For instance, if you’re storing an expensive piece, find a storage facility with strong security features such as electronic gate access, which requires a keycode to enter. You may also desire a facility with an alarm installed on each door as well as onsite management.   Nothing can guarantee 100% security, and there are financial limits on what you are permitted to store, but the features just mentioned certainly help.

Another feature that will protect your artwork is temperature control Storage Unit. Most paintings don’t hold up well in high humidity or range of temperatures where mildew may grow or colors may fade. A storage unit with temperature control maintains a constant temperature and humidity level. If placing your paintings in long-term storage, it may be worth visiting them occasionally to air—especially if a temperature-controlled storage unit is not available.

Take time to carefully clean your artwork with a microfiber cloth to remove any dust or unseen contaminants. This will help prevent any small abrasions or mildew growth from occurring. Never place an Art Work flat.

From here, it may be necessary to place your painting between sheets of acid-free paper or in some form of an acid-free container. Such materials will help stop yellowing or degrading from taking place over time. If you’re painting is framed, you can wrap the artwork in bubble wrap or packing materials.

Art is beautiful, and it can be preserved with the right steps, features, and care.

There are the big things to look for such as;

• Someone living on premises to keep an eye on things even, at times, after hours.
• Gates that work based on requiring a keycode to get in, get out, and recording exactly how long each tenant stays onsite.
• Fortress style construction which creates a perimeter around the whole site with Block walls and security fencing (not chain-link)
• Individual door alarms for every unit so if a door is opened without a code, staff is alerted and knows to check things out.

Then, there are the little things such as:

• Is each individual building panel screwed to the studs in such a manner that the panels cannot be unscrewed, removed, and access gained to an adjacent unit.   Look at the screwheads in the unit you intend to rent (no matter the facility).   Do some of the screw heads seem to be covered with Epoxy to make them impossible to unscrew?   This subtle tidbit of security takes time and costs money.   But if you see this detail, you know that ALL other aspects of the facility likely reflect this level of security conscious detail.   Additionally, from a safety perspective, are the self-tapping screws covered with screw-caps so that their sharp points will not injure your hands when you brush against them as you move boxes?  
• Some facilities place “burglar bars” (thin metal straps, really) 7 or 8 feet above ground level, in order to save a few dollars instead of solid panels up close to the roof.  (Panels cannot be run all the way to the roof because some air needs to circulate particularly in climate controlled units).  Why do some facilities make it easy for people to peek inside units from the hallway or from neighboring units?   It is cheaper for them but it show a of caring about your belongings and your privacy.   If you do not see paneling running up near the ceiling, you are not at a facility where the ownership has your best interest at heart.  

The SUBTLE details of security matter in self-storage.   Look for those details when you shop because if an owner is concentrating on the little things, it is because they have already focused on, and taken care of, the big ones. 

No storage is impenetrable, but like the two guys in the woods running from a bear; the one who achieves safety is the one who  outruns the other.   Look for clues that you are placing your precious belongings with the fastest runner.

Most of the time when renting a storage, you pause to think about which questions would be right to ask.  Whether you’re renting a storage unit for the very first time or it’s been a while since you’ve needed one, here are some questions to keep in mind to make your experience easier and faster.

You will want to know if the facility at which you are storing your items is secure. For example, are there security cameras on property? Is the facility gated? Does each individual unit have alarms? Does manager live on-site? These types of questions will give an idea of how secure your items will be while you’re on vacation or finding your new location to live.  The answers to these questions should make you feel at ease.

Next, you’ll want to know if there are any discounts or specials that are being offered. Some might offer a discount if you’re a first-time customer.   Do not hesitate to ask because you might just get a good deal!  

For convenience, ask if you are able to make your monthly payments online, by auto-billing or if you might get a discount for paying in advance.   All these options save time if you’re busy or traveling throughout the months your items will be stored.  It is important to know these answers to avoid any late-fees.

Most importantly, take a look at the unit before renting to make sure that the unit is the right size for your items and the facility lives up to what you are being told about it.  Ask for a tour around the facility and to your new unit before you commit to renting it. 

Do not hesitate to ask the questions that you would like to know the answers to.   The only silly question is the question that is unasked.  It is better to know what you are getting in advance than to be surprised that what you expected to be part of the storage experience is not included.

There are four main reasons which commonly cause businesses to rent self-storage:

• Work Supplies

The single most common business use we see for Self-Storage, is to safely store business tools and materials which are accessed on a regular basis.     Landscapers,  contractors of all types, and cleaning companies are some of our most common customers.   But, the list doesn’t end there.   We have had geology equipment, large tree trimming trucks, stucco companies and even real estate staging firms use our facilities as a base of operation.   All these firms have one thing in common:   They need to access their units regularly.   To that end, they appreciate our expanded hours, our easy unit access, and the ability to drive in, grab their gear and a free cup of coffee and be on their way quickly.

• Inventory

Whether your inventory has outgrown your existing office space, your garage, or even your home office, Self-Storage is a reasonable option to consider.   Often times when expanding into new lines of sales (or if your existing lines just keep growing), there might be a question as to whether or not that product line will continue to demand more space.   Often, you cannot be certain how much space you will need in a month or two.    Other times, a new line is so instantly successful that you need an immediate solution for an inventory problem.   In either case, Self-Storage meets your needs by giving you the space you need, when you need it and, with month-to-month leases, for just as long as you need it.

• Staff Expansion

Frequently businesses need space for the desk of a new staff member.   Rather than relocating an entire office including computer networks, servers, filing cabinets and desks, into a larger space at a higher rent, it simply makes more sense to move what you are not immediately using offsite.   Obviously, the best solution is to discard what you no longer need such as broken furniture or outdated technology, but if you have business records or other items which you just cannot part with, Self Storage may just be your best solution to free up the extra space you might need to accommodate a new staff member.

• Home-Office

This has been one of the more common uses of Self-Storage in the last three years.   Covid has many caused people to work from home.  Many offices which asked people to work from home, have moved staff offsite permanently to save on the cost of rent.  Our tenants frequently find that they need to move what is in that guest bedroom into storage to create a suitable home-office workspace.   If your home-office situation is going to be permanent, then it may pay to donate the contents of that spare bedroom instead of paying for long-term storage.   However, if the home-office situation is temporary, Self-Storage might be the perfect solution for you.

No matter which of these categories best describes your business application, Interstate U-Stor is available to meet your storage needs.

Have you ever said, “I just wish I could call and quickly speak to someone about my account”?

Have you ever thought, “Why do I have to through 5 menus just to speak with someone who has no clue who I am?”

When you rent your storage here in Reno, Nevada, why would you want to dial a call center in the Philippines or, almost as bad, Rumsford, Maine. Neither location has a clue how to meet your personal needs from over two thousand miles away. What are they going to tell you when you ask, “Can my Partner access my storage unit at 8:00 tonight even though they are not on the lease?”  More than likely they will answer, “What facility is this for?”

Customer service is really simple. It starts with going online where you will see the phone number for the facility where you rented your storage unit clearly noted on the contact page. You call the number and in, on average, 2.5 rings, you speak with the manager or assistance manager where your personal storage unit is located if you call from 8AM to 6PM. Customer service is when the person who answers the phone likely rented you the storage unit or took your last payment. Customer service is when the person who picks up the phone knows who you are without even looking at your photograph in their computer.

Good customer service is also when anyone who picks up the phone can help you, immediately, with your personal request because they know the facility. They know exactly where your unit is located in that facility. They know what the status of your unit door on the last lock check. Good customer service is when they know your payment status even when you cannot recall your unit number and, moreover, they are able to locate your unit on the camera system without missing a beat.

Simply put, customer service matters. You place your items in storage because you care about them. If you don’t call a facility and speak, right away, with the very person who will be your storage partner, you probably need to find a storage facility where you can.