Mould needs moisture, so the best protection is simple: pack everything clean and completely dry before it goes into your unit. Looking after how your things are packed and stored is down to you, and if you ever spot water coming in from outside your unit, such as from a leak, please tell us straight away.
Where mould comes from
In a storage unit, common sources are a mattress or sofa that came from a damp room or was moved on a wet day, clothes packed before they were fully dry, or a fridge that wasn’t completely defrosted. Once a unit is closed, that dampness has nowhere to go. Water can also come in from outside the unit, such as from a burst pipe.
Keeping mould away
A few simple habits help:
- Pack everything clean and completely dry. If something has been in a damp garage or out in the rain, let it dry at home first.
- Let it breathe. Plastic bags can trap moisture, so use blankets, dust sheets or cotton covers for anything staying for months.
- Lift things off the floor on pallets or sturdy crates, and leave a small gap at the walls so air can move.
- Defrost and dry fridges and freezers fully before they come in.
- Pop in now and then. If you can’t visit often, you can share access with someone you trust to check for you.
Our guide to stopping clothes going musty goes into more detail, and the same tips suit bedding, soft furniture and paperwork.
How your cover fits in
Everything you store with us is covered, either by our contents protection or by your own policy. Our contents protection covers physical loss or damage caused by burst pipes or water leakage, among other risks. Unfortunately, damp that comes from the air or from things packed damp isn’t covered, which is why packing dry matters so much. Our page on damp, mould and contents protection explains more.
If you spot mould
Finding mould on something you care about is upsetting, and we’ll help you work through it.
- Take photos of the affected items, the floor and the walls before you move anything.
- Call us straight away on 0800 2545585 and tell us what you’ve found, especially if you think water has come in from outside your unit.
- Move unaffected things away from the damp area and up off the floor.
- Keep the damaged items until your insurer says you can let them go, as they help with a claim.
- If you have our contents protection, email us at hello@wigwamstorage.co.uk and we’ll pass your claim to our insurer. If you have your own policy, contact your insurer directly.
Our guide to making a claim walks you through the rest. Any questions at all, call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll talk it through with you.
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