Finding the Right Storage Unit for Your Summer Toys

Storage Basics


Ah, summer! The season of barbecues, beach trips, and breaking out those larger-than-life toys: RVs, boats, and jet skis. But as the warm weather fades, the question is: where do I store these items? A dedicated storage unit could be an ideal solution. Let's explore what to look for when choosing the perfect storage space for your summer treasures. 1. Storage Unit Size Matters The first thing to consider is the size of the storage unit. Your summer toys are often large, and you'll need a space that accommodates them comfortably. Here are some suggestions for larger recreational vehicles, boats, or personal watercraft: For RVs, look for facilities offering RV storage spaces for large RVs. For boats, ensure the unit has enough height and width for the vehicle and the trailer you’re storing it on. For jet skis, still look for ample storage space, especially if you have more than one. 2. Security When storing expensive items like these, security should be top of mind. Find a unit that offers: 24/7 video cameras that cover all angles of the facility. Gated Access that prevents unwanted guests. Disc locks provide the highest level of security. 3. Accessibility Finding the right storage unit to store your vehicles is one thing, but accessing them should also be considered. Make sure they have: Wide Drive Aisles so you can maneuver large vehicles comfortably. Ample Access to prevent thwarting a spontaneous trip. All seven locations of Alamo Mini-Storage are open for access 7 days a week from 7 am-9 pm. Ground-Level Access for ease of loading and unloading. 4. Insurance and Liability Ensure your summer toys are covered while they're in storage. Your storage facility does not insure your items in storage so consider additional coverage if necessary. Make sure to document the condition of your vehicles before storage by taking photos as you store them so you have a record of their condition. 5. Prep Before Storing Before you place your vehicles in storage: Clean and dry water toys to prevent mold and mildew. Empty fuel and other ...



August 18th, 2023


How Long Must A Storage Unit Be Abandoned or Delinquent to Be Auctioned Off?


This blog is written to serve mini-storage customers nationwide. However, the specific answer to this question depends on state law, company policy, and your specific lease terms. Please check with your storage company for a specific answer to your situation. In Alamo Mini-Storage’s policy, the word "abandoned" is defined as a unit being unpaid, unlocked, and nothing of significant value to a regular person is in the unit. Storage units provide a convenient solution for people who need extra space to store business inventory or personal property. When rental payments are neglected or unit contents are unclaimed, storage facility owners face the dilemma of what to do with these delinquent or unclaimed units. What are the legal considerations and timelines surrounding delinquent or unclaimed storage units and when can they be auctioned? What Does the Rental Agreement for the Storage Unit Say About Delinquent, Unclaimed, or Abandoned Units? Before anything else, we need to review the rental agreement. When renting a storage unit, individuals typically sign a rental agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental period. This agreement includes provisions related to rental fees, due dates, and consequences for non-payment. Reviewing the rental agreement carefully to understand the storage facility's policies regarding delinquency and the timeline for auctioning unclaimed units is crucial. What Is the Local Notification Period for Delinquent Storage Unit Payments? Storage facility owners must provide a reasonable notification period to tenants before declaring a unit unclaimed or abandoned. The duration may vary depending on local regulations and the specific terms of the rental agreement. Typically, it ranges from 30 to 90 days, allowing tenants ample time to rectify any outstanding payment issues or to retrieve their belongings. What is the Delinquency and Lien Process for Storage Units in Your Jurisdiction? Storage facility owners can proceed with the delinquency and lien process if a tenant fails to respond to the notice or rectify the situation within the notification period. This involves legally taking possession of the unit's contents as collateral against the ...



August 7th, 2023


A Newly Engaged Couple's Guide to Merging Two Households

Storage Basics


You’re engaged. Congratulations! We are so excited for you. It’s time to plan a wedding and create a new home. With marriage comes the challenge of combining two households’ worth of belongings. With some planning, open communication, and a dash of creativity, you can create a harmonious living space that reflects each of you and nurtures your shared life. Keep reading for a few tips on how to combine your space effectively and peacefully. Assess and Sort Your Belongings Before merging your belongings, inventory what you both own. Create three categories: "Keep," "Donate/Sell," and "Discard." Be open-minded and willing to let go of items that are no longer needed or hold little sentimental value. Remember, this is an opportunity to declutter and simplify your lives together. You must also make room for wedding gifts – things you choose together. Communicate Respectfully and Honestly Open and honest communication is vital throughout this process. Discuss your expectations, preferences, and sentimental attachments to specific items. Be willing to compromise and find solutions that work for both of you. Remember, it's not about who gets their way but about creating a home you both love. Do We Really Need Two Coffee Makers? Maybe. Identify duplicate items and decide which ones to keep based on quality, sentimental value, or functionality. For items you both love, consider finding creative ways to incorporate them into your home or repurpose them for a new function. Create a Unified StyleMerge your styles by finding common elements that you both enjoy. Blend your favorite furniture and décor pieces and consider adding new items that represent your shared taste and life together. Maximize Storage SolutionsWhen merging two households, storage becomes crucial. Invest in storage solutions that optimize organization and minimize clutter in your home. Utilize shelves, bins, under-bed storage, and closet organizers to maximize your available space. Remember, an organized home promotes a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. You may also find that you need additional storage space. Whether it’s a couple of sentimental items or ...



June 13th, 2023


How to Move Big Furniture Without Hurting Yourself

Storage Basics


When moving to a new house, there’s lots of prep work to complete. From scheduling movers to packing boxes, to cleaning surfaces in your old home and your new home, there’s a lot to think about before moving day. So, how is it that when moving day comes, there’s no plan for how to move big pieces of furniture? Sofas, recliners, tables, even safes and armoires are often too big to simply slide out of the front door without some maneuvering, coaxing, and careful lifting. Finally, let’s address what you can do in advance to help reduce the damage that moving big furniture can do to your body, your home and your moving timeline. 1. Don’t Move Big Furniture Alone Maybe you think that it will slide, or that you’re strong enough to move a piece of furniture without lifting it. Trust us, you can’t. Even pushing big furniture across carpet or other flooring can cause injury. Find a friend or a neighbor who can help you lift large furniture, and offer them free pizza and Dr. Pepper. 2. Have the Right Gear for Moving Furniture Wear shoes that cover your toes — no flip-flops on moving day! And invest in work gloves so your hands don’t get scraped when moving around in tight spaces. A week or so ahead of moving day, buy moving straps — like Forearm Forklifts — that slide under furniture and wrap around arms in order to have good leverage and strength for picking up furniture. Plan to buy or borrow a hand truck that you can use to wheel items out to the moving truck. Having furniture sliders on hand will help you move furniture closer to doorways before lifting, tilting, and maneuvering furniture through doorways. 3. Protect doorways and corners Speaking of doorways, remove molding or doors from their hinges to ensure you have enough space on either side of the furniture to get through the doorway. If needed, remove the door’s threshold so as not to trip on your way through. ...



May 16th, 2023


Your Guide to Packing Materials

Storage Basics


All packing materials are not created equal…or for the same purpose! Many of us grab whatever we can find when packing our belongings for storage or for a move. Newspapers, copy paper, packing peanuts, socks, bubble wrap, even underwear have been used to cushion items in hopes of avoiding damage. And more times than not, the random packing materials we use do the job. However, if there’s one time they don’t work it’ll be when they’re used to wrap something you value, something that is precious and probably irreplaceable. Don’t leave your packing effectiveness to chance, dependent on whatever random packing material is available to you. These are the packing materials you need on hand, along with an explanation of what each does. Bubble Wrap Packing Materials for Protection There’s more to bubble wrap than the satisfaction of popping each bubble between your fingers. Bubble wrap with small pockets of air are great for preventing scratches and scrapes on items, but not so great for cushioning for impact. Large pocket bubble wrap is great for cushioning and impact absorption. Though large pocket bubble wrap adds an inch or two of size to the items they protect, resulting in the loss of space within boxes. But your items will be super safe! Packing Paper for Immobilization While packing paper can be used to wrap items that need protection during a move, they don’t provide cushioning when other items shift or fall. Wrapping items in paper will help prevent scratches, dings or scrapes, however. Primarily, packing paper can be used for filling space between items in a box helping items to remain immobile during a move. Crumpled paper can be stuffed inside glasses or vases to provide additional protection. Packing Peanuts Fill Space in Moving Boxes Even better than packing paper, packing peanuts fill spaces and provide cushioning inside moving boxes. Because of their small size and unique shape, packing peanuts can fill voids better than other products like bubble wrap or crumpled paper. The best use of packing peanuts ...



May 16th, 2023


Easy Ways to Update Your Home This Summer

Storage Basics


Our homes do important work. They protect everything we hold dear — our people, our pets, and our memories. Plus, our homes play an important role in our identity and mindset. That’s why it’s important to care for our homes by updating them and in a way that makes sense for our lifestyles. Now, not everyone can update their home with the addition of a mother-in-law suite, one of the latest popular trends. But you can update your home in a way that livens up your spaces and refreshes your outlook with little effort and little cost. Free Ways to Update Your Home There isn’t much that’s free these days, and if it is free, it could be too good to be true! In this case, these ideas for updating your home really are free — though they’ll take some effort. 1. Redecorating your home can give you a new perspective on your long-lived belongings and the use of your space. Moving furniture to different locations in the same room, or to a new room altogether could help bring new life into your home. Even reorienting the room around a fireplace, or moving the Television will shift perspectives and make a room feel new again. 2. Decluttering your home can free up your living space and your mindset. Start out with four piles: Keep, Give, Trash, Sell. Start with one room, any room, and look carefully at the items on your bookshelves, cabinets, and tables. For each item, place it in one of your four piles. Being honest with yourself is a key part of this process. For many items, you might feel a tug of nostalgia. Ask yourself why you’re keeping the item. It’s okay to let one sentimental item go in favor of keeping another item that has more meaning or embodies a loved one in a stronger way. For those items you wish to sell, holding a yard sale can be an easy solution to earning a few extra dollars. 3. ...



May 1st, 2023


Storage Solutions for Military Families: How Storage Units Can Help


Storage Solutions for Military Families: How Storage Units Can HelpAt Alamo Mini-Storage, we cannot express enough gratitude and appreciation for the men and women who serve in our military to protect and preserve our nation. We also want to thank the families who make an unwavering commitment to support and cover for our military while deployed. You are the unsung heroes who provide the backbone of support for our brave men and women in uniform. Your resilience, strength, and sacrifice are invaluable, and we recognize the hardships of the military lifestyle. You endure long separations, frequent moves, and the emotional toll that comes with the uncertainty of your loved one's safety. We know military families face unique challenges when managing their belongings due to the nature of military life. Frequent moves and deployments can make finding suitable and secure storage for your possessions difficult. Storage units can be a valuable resource for military families, providing benefits that can help make your lives easier. Enjoy the Flexibility a Storage Unit Offers In the military, relocating is inevitable and sometimes comes with little notice. Finding a suitable home for your belongings is difficult. One of the most significant benefits of storage units for military families is flexibility. With storage units, you can easily store your possessions safely and securely while finding a new home. You can also store your belongings during deployments, ensuring your possessions are locked up while you’re away. Save on Expensive Moving and Shipping Services Storage units can also be a cost-effective solution. Instead of paying for expensive moving and shipping services every time you relocate, you can secure your possessions in a storage unit and retrieve them when ready. This can save significant money in the long run, especially if you move frequently and aren’t sure where you will live next. Don’t Worry About the Security of Your Belongings Another benefit of storage units is security. Military families often have valuable possessions to keep safe, such as heirloom furniture, electronics, and other personal belongings. ...



May 1st, 2023


Does your business need storage space for inventory?

Storage Basics


Storage space isn’t just an extra attic for grandmas or an extra garage for dads where items are unorganized and piled high. An offsite storage unit can be a storage space for inventory that houses equipment and supplies for interior designers, event planners, professional organizers, and many more professional services. Storage Space for Interior Designers Whether they are working for residential or commercial clients, interior designers need a space dedicated to their supplies, surplus housewares, fabrics, extra furniture pieces and other items. When designing an entire home or office space, especially those spaces that are still under construction, some interior designers use a storage unit to collect the purchases they make on behalf of their clients. The storage unit is then emptied and refilled with every design project. For future design projects, designers will often collect unique pieces of furniture they find, or items they might buy in bulk or on sale. This collection isn’t something most designers can accommodate in their homes or garages. That’s why a storage space for inventory makes so much sense. And when a storage unit is organized properly, there’s no reason why specific inventory can’t be located and removed quickly with little hassle. How Event Planners Use a Storage Unit Similar to interior designers, event planners need a storage space for inventory such as tablecloths, napkins, chairs, place settings, candles, lighting, stage decor, and more. While many items used at events come from equipment rental companies, there are often special furnishings or decor that event planners like to keep on hand to customize their client’s event. Cabinets can be used to line a storage unit and filled with fasteners, ties, ribbons, sewing equipment and more so that event planners are prepared when creating a special atmosphere for their events. Specialized seating, like barstools, or podiums can be stored for use at speaking events or presentations. Professional Organizers Use Storage Space Since the heyday of Tupperware, storage containers have been a hit for homeowners. There’s something so pleasing to the eye ...



March 28th, 2023


Renting Storage Space During Home Renovations

Storage Basics


If you’ve got home renovations in your spring or summer plans, then renting storage space would surely help keep you sane and organized. If you’ve never done a home renovation, here’s a clue: Renovations feel a lot like moving to another house. There are plans to create, contractors to hire, schedules to keep, items to pack, and a complete web of logistics for how the process will flow. Renting storage space could alleviate a lot of the home renovation headache. Home Renovations are Chaotic Home renovations can be quite stressful and chaotic as workers come in and out the house, and supplies and building materials get piled here and there in the workspace. While many contractors try to keep a tidy workspace, inevitably, tools and materials will start creeping into other areas of the house. It can be quite difficult to work around a table saw when it sits squarely in the middle of your kitchen. Due to the messy and disruptive nature of home renovations, it’s a good idea to find a short-term storage solution for housing your furniture, appliances, lamps, decorative items, etc, for anything that will be displaced during the work. Why Rent Storage Space During Your Next Home Reno Have you seen a construction site lately? There are supplies, tools, and materials stacked around the job site for easy access. Depending on the type of your home renovation, there could be framing going on, or sheetrock going up, or even floor joists stabilized. All of this work creates dust — dust that not many of us are interested in cleaning out of the crevices of furniture or collectibles. Plus, moving equipment and materials through a room that has remained furnished, or that has items pushed to the side could result in accidental knocks and scrapes that damage your belongings. More importantly, there must be room for contractors to move around, swing hammers, saw lumber, and lay out wiring or lighting plans. Working in a cramped space often slows down the schedule because ...



March 14th, 2023


What Items Need Climate-Controlled Storage?

Storage Basics


If you’re new to renting a storage unit, you may not be familiar with climate-controlled options. Climate-controlled storage spaces monitor the temperature and humidity of the unit. The benefits are many; they safeguard your belongings from experiencing extreme temperature swings, provide better air ventilation and filtration, decrease the odds for mold and mildew, and, overall, protect your items from getting too hot, cold or wet. Climate-controlled spaces are not always necessary, but they are the best option for items that are expensive, fragile and/or valuable to you. One simple way to decide whether or not something should go into a climate-controlled unit is by answering this question: Would you store it in your garage or shed long-term? If not, then you probably want to invest in renting a climate-controlled unit. If you’re still uncertain, below is a list of items we’ve compiled that usually require climate-control for their overall longevity: Photographs, Memorabilia and Paper Documents This may seem obvious, but paper can become fragile over time. Photo paper can decay as well, as the layers can separate over time. The best option for any personal keepsake made out of paper is to place it inside of an archival box within a climate-controlled space. Musical Instruments Instruments like guitars and pianos need to be tuned regularly, even when they are sitting inside of your home. Put them in a storage unit without climate-control, and you might see some serious damage done. This rule applies for most instruments, though. If you aren’t sure whether or not your instrument needs climate control, call a music store that specializes in the one you own. Media (Vinyl Records, Cassettes, DVDs and CDs) What goes around comes around—and it’s so true when it comes to media. Vinyls are back and better than ever! If you want to be able to play your favorite tunes after storing them, you’ll want to protect them in a climate-controlled environment. Otherwise, they can become warped and damaged. Paintings and Artwork When it comes to art, high temperatures ...



February 8th, 2023


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