20 Oct How Climate Change Impacts Personal Storage
When you think of climate change, it’s unlikely that you consider the impact it might have on your personal storage choices, but it can. The world is warming and annual extreme weather events are becoming the norm. From erosion and flooding to “heat domes” and increased incidents of wildfires, climate change is forcing us all to change our behaviours.
Personal Storage and Climate Change
Extreme seasonal weather events greatly increase the risk of damage to items you store at home. Not only do stored items take up space, they may not be protected from cold, heat, or humidity.
One of our employees found out the hard way how susceptible items stored at home are to extreme weather. Tom had a very expensive pair of leather hiking boots and a waterproof day pack stored in his apartment personal storage locker. A few months after the 2021 heat dome that hit the West Coast, he went to retrieve them for a hike. The boots’ Vibram souls had melted and pulled away from the leather uppers of the boot. The boots had to be discarded. The waterproof fabric of the day pack had rotted and peeled away from the nylon, rendering the pack useless in rain. The replacement cost was $550 ($400 for the boots, $150 for the day pack).
Our recommendation: if you store anything at home that you can’t afford to lose, or that has sentimental value, consider renting a locker from a reputable Kamloops storage company. Valleyview Mini Storage is an award-winning provider of climate-controlled, secure self storage. We have many different sizes of storage units to suit your needs.
How Does Extreme Weather Affect Belongings Stored at Home?
Humidity (or moisture), heat and cold are the enemies of items you store. Unless you have central air-conditioning and climate controls in your home, basement and garage – items can break down, warp, rust, or become mold or mildew stained.
Textiles, paper, metals, and electronics are often damaged by moisture.
Wooden furnishings may be damaged by extremes of moisture, dryness, heat or cold.
Plastic, nylon, elastic rubber, and other man-made materials used in garments, packs and cases can be damaged by extremes of heat or cold, humidity or moisture.
Garages & Basement the Worst Choice for Storage
Garages and basements are often used for storage to keep your less frequently needed items “out of the way”. Not only do these areas become “catch-alls” for seldom-used belongings, but they are also frequently cold and damp in winter and hot and humid in summer. Garages and basements are great for storing boxes of potatoes and apples, but you are taking a risk if you store paper, textiles, wood and electronics.
Read the Southern Living article “8 Items You Should Never Store in Your Attic, Garage, or Basement”.
Questions About Climate-Controlled Storage? Ask Valleyview Mini Storage
If you’re considering renting storage in Kamloops and have questions about prices, storage unit sizes and climate controls, please contact us. Valleyview Mini Storage is located at #10 – 1967 East Trans Canada Highway. Our location makes our facility convenient to most parts of the city. Storage units can be accessed from 7am to 7pm seven days a week.