Storage Disasters Waiting to Happen
At EZ Storage® in Pittsburgh, we’re here to help you find the perfect self-storage unit for anything that you need to keep safe (and that can safely be put into storage). We know that you’ve worked hard to keep your home organized, and you’ve put a lot of time and effort into putting things into the garage, the basement, and the attic. However, if you’re trying to get storage and organization done more quickly, you might rush and simply put things wherever you can find room. While this might save you time in the short term, it can lead to potential hazards and disasters down the road.
It’s important to be smart about your home storage. If you find yourself doing any of the things we’re going to talk about in this post, you might want to consider renting a local storage unit and saving yourself from a possible disaster in the future. EZ Storage® can help you choose the ideal space for your belongings.
Stacking Plastic Tubs Too High
Plastic totes and tubs are designed to be stacked, with their recessed lids and contoured shapes making it easy to put one top of the other. This can be extremely beneficial for storing items, since you can stack several tubs on one shelf in the garage or basement. However, it’s important not to stack the tubs too high, as the higher you go, the greater the risk of things falling over.
If you’re storing your tubs on the floor, you might be able to stack them three or four high without worry. For tubs that you’re putting on shelves, you might stick with two or three stacked on top of each other, especially if there isn’t any support other than the shelf itself. If the shelving unit is against the wall (as most are), you can stack the tubs so that the wall provides some stability as well.
Cardboard Boxes Near Your Water Heater
Everyone knows what happens to cardboard when it gets wet, which is why it’s a good idea not to store your cardboard boxes near your water heater or anywhere else where they could be susceptible to water damage. It’s always a good idea to keep the area around your water heater clear, but many people still choose to store things in their utility room.
If you store cardboard boxes near your water heater and it leaks or breaks, you could have waterlogged and damaged belongings that are impossible to replace. If you do need to store things in the utility room, plastic tubs can be a better option, but remember not to stack them too high!
Heavy Items on Top of Lighter Items
Anyone who has ever moved themselves to a new house knows how important it is to load things properly into the moving truck. You never put heavy items on top of lighter or fragile items, and the same is true when it comes to storage. You don’t want to put a plastic tub full of books on top of a cardboard box full of fine china, because if you do, you’re likely going to be cleaning up a lot of broken plates and cups.
When storing things at home or putting them into self-storage, make sure you stack lighter boxes or tubs on top of heavier ones. It can help to label your containers so you know what’s in each one when you go to pick it up and move it. Not only will you not stack heavier boxes on top of lighter ones, you can also save yourself from back and leg pain!
Rent Storage Today
If you’re worried about any of these storage disasters happening in your home, give yourself peace of mind by visiting EZ Storage® in Pittsburgh today. With one of our affordable self-storage units, you won’t have to worry about stacking too many tubs in your garage, storing things wherever you can, or placing heavy items on top of fragile ones. We offer monthly leases on every space, so you can rent for however long you need. Once you have a unit, you can access it on any day of the year.
We look forward to seeing you soon!