Our units are built to keep your belongings clean and dry. Most are purpose-built rooms inside our buildings, sheltered from the weather, and the outdoor containers at Chipping Norton, Shipston-on-Stour and Warminster are steel units designed to withstand harsh weather. A few simple habits when you pack, and the contents cover every customer has in place, take care of the rest.
Indoor units and containers
In an indoor unit, the building keeps the rain and wind off. The thing worth planning for is a leak or spill inside the building, such as a burst pipe, which is why we suggest keeping your things off the floor.
In a container, the steel keeps the weather out. What’s worth knowing is condensation: when warm, damp air inside a closed metal box cools, the moisture turns back into droplets on the walls and roof. Packing everything dry is the best answer, and our guide to condensation in a container unit explains how.
Packing so everything stays dry
- Lift things off the floor. Stand furniture and boxes on pallets or sturdy plastic crates.
- Make sure it’s dry going in. Let anything from a wet day, a damp garage or a garden dry out at home first.
- Leave a small gap at the walls, so air can move and nothing rests against a cold surface.
- Keep soft things up high. Mattresses, clothes and paperwork go on top, with hard, wipeable items underneath.
- Empty anything that holds water. Defrost and dry fridges and freezers fully, and drain washing machines.
- Choose breathable covers for long stays. Plastic bags can trap moisture, so blankets, dust sheets or cotton are kinder to furniture and fabrics.
- Pop in now and then. A quick look lets you spot anything early.
We don’t offer climate-controlled units, so if you’re storing something that needs a steady temperature or humidity, give us a call and we’ll talk through the best way to store it.
Your belongings are covered
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, and storm, among other risks. Our page on damp, mould and contents protection explains what’s included there.
If you ever find water in your unit
We’re sorry if it happens. Call us straight away on 0800 2545585 and let us know what you’ve found. Take photos of the water and any damage before you move anything, as they’ll help with a claim, and our guide to making a claim takes you through the next steps.
When you’re ready to store, get a price online or call us and we’ll help you choose the right unit.
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