Rating Storage Facilities By Their Features
It can be hard to trust some online business reviews when a lot of different features are involved. A great review may not cover a feature that you need, or a bad review may involve something you don't care about without enough details to help you figure out what's really going on. If you're looking for a self storage facility, here are a few key features along with inspection tips to help you figure out what works best for you--and to help you write a better review to boost your new facility's business.
Air Conditioning Quality Concerns
Unlike residential or workcenter air conditioning, storage unit air conditioning is all about the temperature and cleanliness of your belongings.
For people, air conditioning is about reducing air temperature for skin contact comfort. Most stored objects have much lower, less exacting requirements, but you still need to confirm that the system works. This becomes more important in critically high summers when certain fabrics, plastics, or soft metals can be damaged by the heat.
You want to confirm that the air conditioning doesn't allow your belongings to go above a certain temperature. For most people, this is around 90 degrees simply because anything requiring lower temperatures are better off in a refrigerated unit just to be safe.
As far as cleanliness, checking the filter and ventilation is key. Find out if your storage unit section has an individual filter or if the entire facility has a set of central filters and ask to check the quality. Make sure that the filter isn't so clogged with debris that air can't move efficiently, and that there aren't any dents or tears that could allow debris to enter at higher levels.
Security And Surveillance Controls
To protect your belongings from theft, there are multiple levels of security that sometimes change depending on how much you're willing to pay. Storage facilities with nothing more than a fence and the ability to bring your own locks are usually the cheapest, while fully-staffed security guard teams are a cost that becomes part of your lease.
Be sure to confirm any security features to make sure that your investment isn't wasted. If you're providing your own locks, make sure that the actual lock connecting loop, bar, or other opening isn't becoming brittle to the point of breaking with a hammer. A few light taps with a mallet should satisfy your inspection, so don't set out to bend the door.
With security cameras, pick a specific date and time to visit the security camera. Walk in front of the cameras a few times, then ask to see footage to confirm that you're showing up in the footage. This will prove whether or not the facility keeps camera recording on instead of using off or not recording cameras as a simple deterrent.
For security guards, just make sure that no one is sleeping. You can keep an eye on patrol patterns and ask about suspicious activities if you want, but if you're not a security professional, the best you can do is make sure that the team is actively paying attention.
Contact a self storage facility to discuss different features and storage options for your belongings.