Looking a gift [warehouse] in the mouth.

July 14, 2008 9:40 AM

Long Term Storage Filter: Is climate control a necessity? What items need special prep to be in non-climate controlled storage?

Assuming no risk of leaking water, what items need special prep to be in non-climate controlled storage for 4-9 months in San Antonio? Are there any items that just require stable temperature and humidity?

I have available to me free longterm storage, but I'm hesitant because I can conceive of damage occurring to 75% of my stuff. Am I being irrational? I mean, a good quantity of storage options aren't climate controlled at all. I've got all the regular stuff everyone has, just a little more electronics than average (including nice tower speakers) and I've got a relatively new wood bedroom set.

(If this post turns overwhelmingly pro-climate, feel free to add whatever prep I need to do for climate controlled storage.)

posted by Annon E Moose to home & garden (8 comments total)

This might be helpful.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 10:23 AM on July 14, 2008

I used a non-climate controlled storage unit in Austin, TX for a few months once and had a veritable mold farm. It didn't seem like stuff really got wet, just damp. That was enough to ruin a few books and articles of clothing. I'm sure good airtight containers (bit more more airtight than the tubs Green Eyed Monster linked to, or perhaps those with a home-made foam seal) with a desiccant inside would prevent mold and mildew. Put down pallets to keep everything off the floor in case it floods or a pipe breaks.
posted by Chrishartley at 10:41 AM on July 14, 2008

We just did this for Arizona, but your situation in San Antonia, with it's much higher humidity, will be more dire.
posted by caddis at 10:55 AM on July 14, 2008

Thanks Caddis, I don't know how I missed that...

I suppose with the moisture though the question still stands.
posted by Annon E Moose at 12:13 PM on July 14, 2008

It wasn't easy to find. I would suggest you add "storage_unit" as a tag. Most of the hits under "storage" go to electronic storage or other unrelated stuff. As for the humidity, that is going to be a serious problem for many things. I wouldn't leave the electronics in such storage for even a short period. Also, if mold takes hold on anything it can be a real problem. I suppose if you can get over to the place every month or so to inspect stuff you can nip most problems in the bud.
posted by caddis at 1:39 PM on July 14, 2008

I'd be pretty concerned about the speakers if I were you. I can't speak to any of the other stuff, but humidity and high temperatures seem like they could be just the thing to ruin a nice pair. A lot probably depends on what material they're made from (not just enclosures, but cones, surrounds, etc., too); if they're recently manufactured, they probably have non-operating temperature/humidity specified somewhere in the documentation.

If you were going to go non-climate-controlled, I'd probably wrap them up in a few layers of plastic drop-cloth, sealing the seams with duct tape, and putting a dessicant pack inside. I've done that with boxes of books and kept them in good shape.

The only other thing I'd add is to be careful with plastic storage containers. Not all of them are created equal; some of them barely stay shut, much less make an airtight seal. Pelican cases are trustworthy, but very expensive; they might be worthwhile for particularly expensive gear.
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:06 PM on July 14, 2008

I had some stuff stored without climate control for around 10 years in the humid south (next to a lake, no less). The real wooden furniture was fine. Some of it had to dry out a bit. The couch, which of course had fabric was the biggest problem for it ended up getting a bit moldy before I Lysoled the crap out of it.

The mold caused the fabric to weaken, so after a couple of years of moderate use it started to weaken and finally tear. I think it would have been fine had I never let the mold grow.

The books I had there were mostly just fine, save some that were in a trash bag, which of course collected moisture, given that there was no dessicant to keep it dry.

I also had a couple of mostly particle board shelves which are still holding up some books just fine, but they are in bad shape now. (almost 15 years on)
posted by wierdo at 3:31 PM on July 14, 2008

Absolutely do not keep photographs or documents that you may some day consider valuable in a non-climate controlled environment. Be as liberal as you can regarding what might someday be of value to you, even especially, emotionally. Books are iffy; I once had books mold-damaged in a first floor room of an *apartment.* Try to stack the materials so that material that might be vulnerable is easy to get to and commit to checking the status often (every two months?). Heat and moisture are not your only concerns. Mice and insects can wreak some serious damage to a surprisingly wide array of materials. Not tasty to us does not equal not tasty to them: finishes on furniture, the corn starch used to keep plastic bags from sticking, etc. Keep in mind that you don't know what your neighbors are storing. Check for signs of mouse droppings (ick, sorry).
posted by Morrigan at 4:51 PM on July 14, 2008