How to Handle Moisture in Your Storage Unit

Moisture in a Storage Unit

• Rent from the right storage Company: First things first, make sure you rent from a reliable storage company at Texas Mega Storage, you can rent a unit that’s kept in our climate-controlled building, free from any moisture whatsoever. In some cases, your goods may be in safer hands with us than they are at your own home!
• Check for leaks: If your storage unit is exposed to the outdoors, you should make a habit of checking it for leaks every now and then. Even a tiny crack can allow water to seep in, quickly leading to a major disaster.
• Inspect humidity levels: Rainwater isn’t all you need to worry about. You also need to think about the humidity level inside your unit. Normal humidity levels should be between 30 and 50 percent, as anything more than that can lead to mold and mildew growth. A hygrometer is a device that measures humidity, and we recommend using one before you decide to rent a unit. Never rent from a storage facility that has consistent high humidity.
• Only store dry items: This one’s a bit of a no-brainer, but you should never put anything in your storage unit if it’s not totally dry! Any damp items can quickly start to cause problems inside your storage unit. All it takes is one slightly wet item to damage everything else in the unit.
• Use desiccants: Silica gel, rice, kitty litter, salt and charcoal briquettes are your number one defense against moisture. These products are all called desiccants, and they’re incredible at absorbing moisture, even if it’s in the air. If your hygrometer says the humidity is high in your storage unit, we recommend purchasing some of these desiccants and placing them in your unit along with your belongings.

• Mold growth: Mold and mildew thrive in damp, dark spaces. It doesn’t take all that much moisture for a little bit of mold to start growing, and when it does, you’d better watch out! Left untouched, mold can quickly take over and become the new tenant in your storage unit.
• Ruined items: Needless to say, a mold infestation will quickly damage or even destroy some of the belongings in your storage unit. Mold is a dangerous and potentially toxic substance, so you’ll basically need to toss out everything affected by it.