One of the nice things about living in Birmingham, AL is the year-round warm weather. However, warm weather also has its challenges, particularly when it comes to items in storage.
Most of the do-it-yourself temperature controlled storage facilities in the Birmingham AL area are not designed to have any type of temperature control. This means no heating in the winter, which is not a concern for most types of items in storage, but it also means no air circulation and cooling in the summer. This is when issues with humidity and heat can really cause a problem.
The Risks
In small, individual self-storage units, or in many of the big industrial warehouse types of storage facilities, there is no temperature controlled storage. Without air circulation and cooling or heating, there is an increased risk of the development of mildew and mold on any items in storage that are made of organic materials.
This means furniture items made of wood, fabric, or leather. It also means clothing stored in unsealed types of boxes, bags, or suitcases, as well as any artwork on canvas or other types of materials.
Without temperature controlled storage, mold and mildew develop in the moist heat of the summer. Once it is established on items in storage, it does not go away. In fact, it becomes more significant and can create stains, cause the rotting of materials, and even ruin items in a relatively short period of time.
At the very least, items stored outside of temperature controlled storage facilities tend to have a musty, mildew smell. They require cleaning to fully remove the smell, which adds to the stress of trying to get items in place in a new home or residence.
The simple way to avoid this is to ensure any short or long-term storage facility selected has temperature control. Also, verify the facility has security alarms, fire suppression systems, and security cameras on-site for protection of your valuable items.
