Follow these tips to make your storage experience hassle-free. Getting Started:

• Visit or call Lock-Tite Storage with a list of what you are going to be storing and our friendly managers will help you determine the correct size for your needs.
• Ask to personally inspect the storage unit that you will be renting to get an idea how much space you will have.
• Take inventory and decide what you want to keep and what you want to give away or sell.
• Save time, money, and space by donating items you no longer want or having a yard sale.
• Make a list of all the packing supplies you will need such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, marking pens, rope, and pallets. We offer many of these items for sale in our office
• Be sure to read the lease before signing it. Know our policies on moving out, paying rent, and other important information.
• If moving file a ‘Change of Address’ form with the post office 30 days before your move.
• Arrange to have your utilities stopped at the old address and started at the new address.
• Reserve your storage unit 2-3 weeks in advance to ensure the size is available that you will need.
• If it’s worth storing its worth insuring. Check with your homeowners or rental insurance company to see if they will cover your goods while in storage. If not our manager can provide you with information on your options.
• When leaving your unit always make sure that the lock on your storage unit is secure and sturdy.
• Once you are moved in remember to check your goods on a monthly basis. Organizing your storage unit
• Leave a center aisle path to rear of unit for easy access to all items.
• If you have a large unit create several smaller aisles and be sure all box labels are facing out.
• Try using free-standing shelves to best utilize height of unit and make it easier to locate items.
• Do not lean items against walls. This can damage the unit and item can fall over as you access unit.
• To protect your items cover them with moving pads, mattress/sofa covers etc. Many of which are sold in our office.
• Place frequently used or seasonal items near the front of the storage unit to avoid having to search for them.
• Fragile items should be cushioned by packing and placed toward the top of the unit.
• Rubbermaid containers are great to store your items. They have tight fitting lids and stack easily.
• Place your storage items on boards or pallets to guard against dampness. Concrete floors may become cold and damp.
• To improve ventilation leave air space around the perimeter of your storage unit.
• Keep the more valuable items in the rear of the unit to prevent others from seeing them when you are in your unit.
• Be aware when you are in your unit. If you see a potential problem or anything suspicious alert the manager Packing Tips
• Use high-quality packing boxes designed especially for the job, not "grocery store" cartons.
• For your convenience we offer packing supplies and boxes in our office.
• Use the same size boxes for easy stacking and put the heaviest on bottom.
• When stacking boxes stagger instead of on top of each other to avoid crushing bottom box
• Don't stack boxes too high so that getting what you need becomes dangerous or overly time consuming.
• Stack lighter boxes on top of heavier boxes and mark fragile on boxes
• Pack heavy objects such as books in smaller boxes for easier lifting don’t exceed 20 – 30 lbs.
• Seal boxes completely with packing tape to keep out dust.
• Fill boxes to capacity. Partially full or bulging boxes may tip or collapse.
• List the contents of each box on all four sides and number the boxes for easy locating.
• Group similar items together, list contents on each box and what room it came from.
• Use bubble wrap or unprinted paper to wrap breakables. Printed newspaper may smudge and get on your items.
• When wrapping collectibles or anything breakable, tape it after you wrap it to avoid mistaking them for excess paper. Important Don’ts to remember when storing
• Do not store food or items that may attract pests, insects or other unwanted guests.
• Do not store flammables, hazardous, pressurized, or toxic materials. No LP tanks, gas tanks, or welding supplies.
• Do not store liquids and aerosols that may spill or burst and damage your goods.
• Do not put screws or nails in walls or hang anything from ceiling, framing, or sides of unit.
• Do not assume that your homeowners or renters insurance will cover your belongings while in storage. Purchase the insurance.
• Do not give out your password, gate code or any information to any one that is not listed as having "Access".
• Do not place boxes or overstuffed furniture directly on the concrete floor.
• Do not cover items with sheet plastic as moisture may collect and could possibly cause mold & mildew.
• Do not pack your boxes so that they are too heavy to carry them. Especially when you are packing books.
• Do not vacate a unit without notifying the manager, and never leave your lock on the unit after you have vacated.

*** We assume you're still using the unit until we hear otherwise and your lock is removed. ***

Storage Tips

Appliances - Always clean your appliances before moving. Tape all appliance doors shut when moving. Pack small appliances in original container or a carton cushioned with wadded paper. (Do not use shredded paper - it can clog the appliance.) For major appliances, check with the appliance dealer for any special moving instructions. For all large appliances, remove loose fittings and accessories and pack separately. Tie down, tape or wedge all moveable parts and doors.

Gas Dryers and Stoves - Give utility companies a few days notice to disconnect these appliances (most will do this for free.)

Dishwasher / Washing Machine - Stuff towels between machine sides and tub to keep tub from rotating. Pad exterior well. Disconnect hoses, put in plastic bag, and place in tub.

Freezer / Refrigerator - Defrost and dry interiors well. Fill interior spaces with lightweight linens, clothing and stuffed toys. If you want to lay your refrigerator down for moving, check first with the local dealer to determine if your brand can be moved in this manner. If so, be sure to let the unit stand upright for at least 24 hours before plugging it back in. *** Be Sure to Wedge all Appliance doors open when in storage to avoid mildew and moisture damage ***

Beds - Disassemble the bed frame. Tie rails and crosspieces together with rope or tape. Be sure to mark on tape where pieces fit together for reassembly. Use mattress protection bags to keep mattress clean.

Books - Books get heavy in bunches. Pack them in small cartons, holding weight to under 30 pounds for easy lifting. Pack books flat, alternating bindings, and fill empty spaces with wadded paper.

Chairs - Wrap arms and legs to prevent scratches. Bundle armless chairs in pairs, seat to seat with a folded blanket or other padding between and tie seats together. Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and cover them with plastic covers.

Clothes Dresses, coats, suits - anything hanging in closets - travel best in special, reusable wardrobe cartons, which can be used seasonally as "extra closets" for storage. Other clothes can remain folded in their regular dresser drawers. Curtain / Shower Rods Remove the hardware from the walls and put in small plastic bag. Tape bags around rods and place in dresser drawer.

Cycles & Baby Carriages - Loosen, lower and turn handlebars at right angles to save space. Clean and cover chains and pedals to protect other items from being snagged or soiled. Pedals can also be removed with a simple wrench on most bikes.

Dressers & Bureaus - Fill drawers with small breakable items and cushion well with loose clothes / linen. Secure drawers with pad or blanket (tape can remove the finish) and tie with rope. Do not overload drawers with heavy items. It also helps to remove the drawers when actually moving the piece of furniture.

Dishes - Take your time when packing dishes. Wrap each one with packing paper and cushion them in the carton with crumpled packing paper. If you use newspaper, wrap first in plastic bags to save dish washing later. Place saucers, plates and platters on edge - do not stack flat. Cups and bowls may be placed inside each other and wrapped three or four in a bundle. Keep dish pack cartons under 30 pounds for easy handling and safe riding.

Glasses - Wrap each glass separately in paper or bubble wrap. Wrap first in plastic to save dishwashing later! Pack in sturdy carton with dividers. Dish packs are perfect for glassware as well as dishes. They may cost a bit more than regular boxes, but it doesn't take many pieces of "saved" glassware to make up for the cost.

Kitchenware Pots, pans, etc. - can be stacked in a carton with a sheet of paper between them. Don’t mix class and metal items.

Lamps - After disassembling lamps, pack small bases in dresser drawers surrounded by loose clothing, and large bases in cartons stuffed with wadded paper. Place box shades individually in cartons with plenty of packing material for stuffing. Don't use newspaper as it will smudge.

Lawn Mowers - Drain fuel and oil before loading. Remove handle from hand mowers and place blade end in sturdy carton. Mark properly.

Mirrors - Small mirrors can be well wrapped in paper and packed in cartons. For a large mirror, make a cardboard case by cutting pieces of corrugated cardboard about the same size as the mirror. ALWAYS MARK GLASS on the outside in several places to prevent mishandling. If you have other paintings, mirror, framed items that are roughly the same size, you can put all these together in your custom box.

Paint and Flammables - Don't move them, dispose of them properly. The same goes for alcohol, lighter fluid, ammunition, and greasy mops or rags. They can be dangerous items and must be disposed of before your move. The risk that you take when moving them is not worth the few dollars you'll save over buying new when you reach your destination.

Paintings, Prints & Framed Artwork - Place in mirror cartons (available at Lock-Tite Storage) and wrap each piece individually in corrugated cardboard or in cardboard cushioned with thick blankets and tie bundles with cord. Stand on sides.

Photos - Old photographs tend to curl over time. To keep them flat, place them between two pieces of cardboard and tape them together. Do not store irreplaceable photos. Negatives take up little space. Consider keeping them with you.

Radios, TVs - Box upright in carton well padded on all sides. Mark with arrow pointing up and write UP on all sides. For console equipment, surround with furniture pads when moving and load in the upright position.

Records and Record Players - Tie down the player arm and secure the turntable on your record player with packing paper. Use a paper mat to protect outside finish and load with extreme care. Records should be individually wrapped, like dishes-packed in sturdy cartons marked “FRAGILE ".

Rugs and Pads - After vacuuming rugs and pads, sprinkle with moth flakes. Roll up and tie in three places with twine.

Stereos, CD Players, and other Electronic Equipment - Separately pack components and pack in well-padded cartons marked FRAGILE. Pack CDs upright in their cases in a sturdy carton with a reinforced bottom. They get heave so use small boxes. Tie CDs is small bundles when packing, fill air space with wadded paper. Mark FRAGILE. Cassettes can be packed in the same manner, although you can group them in larger bundles. Cables should be placed in the same cartons as the component they are for to avoid misplacing them later.

Tables - For large tables, remove legs (if possible) and tie together. Put hardware in small plastic bag and tape around one of the legs or to underside of table top. Pad tabletop all around and position it upright against the side of the truck. Pad and tie spare table leaves. For smaller tables, pad top and strap legs to prevent scratching.

Tools and Gardening Equipment - Drain hoses, coil and pack in carton. Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden hand tools, etc. Tie rakes, brooms, shovels, and other long handled tools together with rope or strong tape. Make sure to drain fuel out of any gas-powered item. Contact the manufacturer / local dealer if you are unsure how to do this.

Valuables - Set aside jewelry, important papers and safe deposit box contents to be packed in a small container you can keep with you throughout your journey.

Some important papers are:

Truck rental paperwork Children's school records Car registration certificate Medical / Dental records Car ownership records Insurance policies Tax return records Passports Traveler’s checks Contact phone numbers Irreplaceable photos and snapshots (negatives)

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