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Do You Have a Child Going Off to College? Storage Unit Considerations for Back to School

Summer is winding down and that means a new season starts – back to school season. If you have a child headed off to college, chances are they’ll have stuff…a lot of stuff. A storage unit is the perfect option to help them enjoy college clutter-free. Why Your Student Needs a Storage Unit College life usually involves living in cramped quarters such as a dorm room or a small apartment, leaving you with limited space. Big items such as furniture and boxes, full of seasonal clothing or memorabilia, will make a small space more cluttered. With a storage unit, your college student can store the big stuff with the ease of accessibility. If your student attends college out of state, chances are they are headed to school with a car packed full of their prized possessions. Renting a storage unit will allow them to have all their items in one place, meaning you won’t have to worry about losing your garage space. Size and Type Storage units come in many shapes and sizes with climate and non-climate options available. A 5x5 unit is perfect for small furniture, clothes and boxes. A large unit such as a 10x10x8 will hold all the big stuff including couches, tables and mattresses. A climate controlled unit helps keep items such as clothing and books protected from the damaging effects of humidity and the elements. They are located inside of a building and are “temperature controlled” meaning they are kept cool in the summer and heated in the winter. Non-climate controlled units are suitable for short-term usage such as storage over the summer months. These are normally located outside which allows for easy access. Cost Savings of Storage Units Not only will a storage unit keep your student’s belongings secure and out of the way but they are cost effective as well. Utilizing a storage unit can save money on gas and the hassle of back and forth trips home. If your student chooses to live off campus they may not have the budget for a bigger place. Renting a unit nearby will allow them to maximize a smaller space while their possessions are within reach. Stor-All has locations located near the campuses of Spring Hill College and the University of South Alabama for your student’s convenience. There is no better option to safely store your belongings than a storage unit. Selecting an appropriate unit for your college student’s needs will give you peace of mind that everything is locked up and out of site. If you are interested in storage options for your college student, contact Stor-All today. We provide all types of solutions for home and business owners in Mobile, Alabama and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 251-343-6999 and reserve your storage unit! Check out Beltline and Security on Facebook, or visit us online at www.StorAlls.com. © Southern View Media 2018: Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. “We Put You Online So You Don't Get Left Behind.”

#fridayreads #storage #somobile

What to do with Unwanted Hazardous Materials You Want to Discard

Discarding of hazardous materials the right way is important. Not only does it help you go green it helps the environment and it keeps your home and community safe and tidy. Further, it keeps harmful toxins out of your family’s way. Still, it is a common question as to what exactly to do with those unwanted hazardous materials you want to discard.

Here are a few tips on what to do with hazardous unwanted materials.

1. Ask these 3 questions: is the hazardous material a chemical, a gas or a substance?

Chemical: Examples of hazardous chemicals are paint thinners or hobbyist chemicals. Gas: A little-known fact is that those long, fluorescent bulbs used in garages and workspaces contain hazardous gas. Substance: Common examples of hazardous substances are household paints, especially oil-based or those with lead.

Did you know? Medications are one often overlooked hazardous material. This includes both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicine in the forms of pills, tablets, gel caps, powders or liquids. It’s common to dump them down the toilet or sink but this is harmful to the environment and can damage your family’s water quality and your home’s septic or sewer system.

2. Sort it all out: Once you’ve determined which of the above 3 categories your hazardous materials belong in, sort them well. Place them in a box or bin or at least in a separate area of your garage or shed. This small step will make it easier as you move along the disposal process.

3. Check your local ordinances: Cities and counties have rules about how hazardous chemicals are to be disposed of. Check with your city or county to see what those are. Some have curbside pickup. Others have a “round up day,” where you can actually bring all of your materials to them and they will take them away. Finally, you can also contact and locate your nearest landfill and dispose of the hazardous materials there. This last option is sometimes the only option for rural areas.

4. Clean, clean, clean: Once you have disposed of the hazardous materials, it is important to thoroughly clean the area they were kept. You can easily do this with a bleach and water solution. If your family has bleach allergies or sensitivities you can also use a strong solution of vinegar and water. Using a rough cloth, vigorously clean the area to make sure all residue is gone.

5. Set up a designated area: You have completed steps 1-4. Great job! Make it easier on yourself the next time this time of year comes around by designating a certain area in your garage or work shed for these types of materials. You can then layer that area with newspaper or old towels to prevent the chemicals, substances or gases from leaking onto wood or other porous areas.

With all of us becoming more environmentally conscious it is a good habit to dispose of unwanted hazardous materials responsibly. We hope with these simple steps we have made your life a little easier today!

If you have any questions about available storage space for household items contact Stor-Alls today. We provide all types of solutions for home and business owners in Mobile, Alabama and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 251-343-6999 and reserve your storage unit! Check out Beltline and Security StorAlls today on Facebook, or visit us online at www.StorAlls.com! © Southern View Media 2018: Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.

#fridayreads #storalls #hazardousmaterials

How Often Should You Clean, Maintain and Reorganize Your Storage Unit?

#tips #organize #storage #somobile

Garage Storage Tips for Father’s Day

What better gift for dad on Father’s Day than the ability to actual park his car in the garage? If your garage is currently filled with everything but that, we may be able to help you out! Organizing professionals estimate that only 30 percent of people keep their cars in their garage! The reason behind this is because so many people fill the garage with everything they decided they didn’t need when unpacking. It could take an entire day or a full weekend, but once you declutter your garage you will be so much happier to have that extra space. Keep reading below for tips on how to improve your garage storage.

Clean First and foremost, you should go through and clean out the garage. You need to determine what items you can store together like gardening supplies, sports gear, household tools, paints, garbage, and more. Once you have gone through these items, you should create three piles! Recycle, throw away, and donate! After you have sorted your items into these piles, it is time to clean! Clean your garage from top to bottom. You should use this time to remove stains from the concrete floors and paint the walls.

Plan Now it is time to devise a plan! It doesn’t have to be the most spectacular drawing you have ever done, but you should determine how much room you’ll need to fit your car in the garage. Create zones for the things you are storing and keep in mind some of these may overlap with shelves and storage.

Select Storage You should decide what storage options you would like to include in the garage. Will you need bicycle hangers? Or will you be using shelves to store items? You should base this off of the items that need to be stored.

Organize Once you have decided what your plan is and what options you’d like to use for storage. You should keep your lawn and garden tools off the floor. You can do this by using rail mounts and adding hooks to hang your tools. If after organizing, you still don’t have space you should consider adding a garden shed. Put your trash and recycling bins in an easy to reach area and be sure to make the path to the curb an easy one! Keep items that you use often in an easy to reach area and use plastic storage bins so you can see everything easily.

While this Father’s Day gift may take some time, we are sure your Dad will love it!

If you have any questions about available storage space for household items, appliances, boats, or RVs, contact Stor-All today. We provide all types of solutions for home and business owners in Mobile, Alabama and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 251-343-6999 and reserve your storage unit! Check out Beltline and Security on Facebook, or visit us online at www.StorAlls.com!

#organize #storage #fathersday

Tips for Safe Travels in Your RV this Summer

If we’re storing your Recreational Vehicle for you here, we hope to see you take it for a spin this summer. Traveling by RV in the summer is a top vacation activity for people of all ages and stages. From families to a guy’s weekend, going by RV almost always ensures a great time. In summer, there are a few safety precautions you can make a note of to make your time the most enjoyable.

Here are a few tips for safe travels in your RV this summer.

Plan your route Plan and outline your route plenty in advance of your trip. If you use a map app, be sure it is the most updated version. Detours and road construction are important to know ahead of time so you don’t find yourself rerouted, frustrated, and behind schedule with unforeseen traffic changes.

Have a driving buddy Traveling in summer can be harder on the driver than other months. The heat of the day and harsh sunlight through the windshield can speed up driving fatigue. Plan ahead who your driving partner will be. Switch off regularly, take a nap or just rest.

Make sure all electrical works properly While this one may sound like good old common sense, electrical circuits in an RV can deteriorate from year to year or from season to season. Even if you just took your vehicle out on vacation over the winter holiday break be sure to do a thorough run-through of all electricals before setting out on your summer trip. Especially when you’re going to be traveling in the hot summer months, you’ll want to be sure the air conditioning is still up to speed. Whether your plans are short or extended, being caught with unexpected electrical issues is no laughing matter.

What is the #1 cause of RV accidents?

Know your clearance Be sure to know exactly how high and how wide your RV is. Did you know that hitting bridges and overhangs are the number one reason for accidents in an RV? Get an accurate measurement of your vehicle so you will know exactly what bridges, overhangs, and overpasses you need to go around. Go a step further and write down these measurements and place them where you will see them daily.

Be safe and secure Be sure to stay safe and secure in your RV this summer. How can you do this? RVs are especially vulnerable because you’ll often park in an RV camp with that increased visibility. The first rule of thumb is to keep any flashy items out of public view. Pricey electronics, clothing, jewelry-items like this can be locked in a safe inside the RV if not being worn. You keep the key. Next, keep all windows and doors locked when at all possible. Finally, you may want to install a security system or security cameras. Cameras being visible are a good deterrent to potential thieves.

#fridayreads #rv #somobile

Check out these self-storage secrets and tips to make your life easier!

#storalls #tips #storage

Self-Storage Secrets You Didn’t Know

Self-storage units are often essential for many of us. Some of us may use them regularly. However, many people are not aware of a few secrets that will make your self-storage experience much easier! If you are considering using a self-storage unit, or already use one, keep reading below to hear a few of our favorite self-storage secrets.

Use Pallets You may think this sounds a little extreme, but using pallets will come in handy if a unit adjacent to yours has a spill that soaks its way onto your fine furniture! Using pallets helps you to keep your items off of the floor, which is pretty much essential when using a self-storage unit.

Wrap EVERYTHING Okay, okay – you may not be able to wrap everything! But, you should wrap what you can in industrial plastic wrap. This will help keep your items sealed tightly and prevent them from collecting dust. Even better, it helps prevent the highly unwanted creepy crawly insects.

Install A Hefty Small Lock Most storage units already have security in them, but they may not always be monitored. Install your own small lock to help ensure you keep the burglars away! The best type of lock would be an all-weather pad that has a short arm. This will help ensure a bolt cutter can’t slide its way in and be sliced open!

Labels Are Your Best Friend You may know everything you are putting in your storage unit, but five months from now you may struggle trying to find something. Rather than going through all of your boxes and bins, be sure to label everything. It will make it easier to find items when you need them. Some people find it helpful to make a checklist that helps them find where an item may be stored in the unit.

Plan Ahead For Weather In some areas of the country, the heat or cold may not make much of a difference. However, in some other areas, it definitely does. Be sure to plan ahead so items that need to be double wrapped or well insulated are stored properly. There may even be some items you need to remove at certain times of the year, or maybe not even store them at all. For instance, electronics in humid weather do not seem to do well when they are not stored properly!

Putting items in a storage unit can be stressful, we understand. The above tips should help ensure that your storage process is as stress-free as possible. If you have any questions about self-storage, give Beltline and Security Stor-Alls a call today. We will be happy to assist you and your needs.

We have units from small to large, that are climate controlled. You may only need us for a few months, or you may find that our units fit your long-term plans. Give us a call or come see us, and protect your treasures! Beltline and Security Stor-Alls are located in Mobile, Alabama for all of your storage needs! Check out Beltline and Security on Facebook, or visit us online at www.StorAlls.com!

#storalls #tips #fridayreads

Tips for Preparing Your Boat for Spring

Spring is here and that means it’s time to get the boat back on the water. Gone are the days of your vessel sitting in storage; it’s time to de-winterize and prepare for the season ahead.

Go through this checklist to ensure that your boat is ready for all of your adventures.

Fuel Systems Inspect your fuel hoses, connections, and tank systems for leaks and damages. Damaged hoses will be soft, brittle, and/or cracking. Replace damaged parts Ensure all connections are properly fitted Check your engine, exhaust, and ventilation systems for proper performance. Ensure there’s no water in the fuel filters Fill your tank with fuel, but only use the highest quality fuel available. Fuel with more than 10% ethanol will damage your engine.

Electrical Systems Charge, test, and reinstall batteries Clean terminals and cable ends with a wire brush Check for loose, disconnected, or corroded conductors Test all cabin and helm switches for proper function Test headlights and cabin lights All electrical systems should have regular inspections done by qualified technicians.

Water Systems Flush out antifreeze first Connect pump and flush water lines Disinfect water system Pressurize the system Turn each faucet on until clean water is flowing

Engine Room/Compartment Check engine oil, power steering, power trim reservoirs, and coolant levels Inspect the bilge for fluid leaks Change engine oil and oil filters if not done during winterization Inspect all fuel lines for cracking and flexibility Check for excess water in bilge

Propellers and Hulls Inspect propellers for dings, pitting, cracks and distortion Ensure the propeller is properly secured Replace bearings if needed Look for blisters, distortions & cracks in hull Clean hull, deck, & topsides with an environmentally safe cleaning solution Check that the drain plug is securely in place before every launch

Safety Gear Ensure life jackets are in working condition Check for the correct number and sizes of life jackets for the people on board Check that fire extinguishers are fully charged, in place, and the correct class for your boat Check carbon monoxide detectors for any enclosed/semi enclosed areas Repair and restock any flares, first-aid kits, and other safety items Ensure your EPIRB is functioning properly

It’s always a good idea to check your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance guidelines to ensure that your boat is water-ready. Check the US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and US Power Squadrons’ to keep up with safety inspections.

Time to get that boat back on the water!

#spring #boat #somobile

Tips for Organizing Your Garage for Spring