Self-storage facilities offer a simple and effective solution for individuals and business owners in need of additional storage space. It’s frustrating when you acquire a new item, only to discover that you have nowhere else to put it. Homeowners may fill up their garage, basement and spare bedrooms, at which point they’re forced to seek storage space from outside sources, which is where self-storage facilities come into play. But before you go moving your belongings into a storage unit, you should be aware of the problems associated with fluctuating humidity.
If you keep up with our blog here at SmartFog.com, you probably already know the general concept of humidity. Basically, humidity is the measurement of moisture vapor in the air. Although invisible to the naked eye, the air around contains water in the form of moisture vapor. When there’s a lot of moisture vapor present, the air is said to be humid. When there’s little-to-no moisture vapor present, it’s dry or not humid.
So, how does humidity (or lack thereof) affect self-storage facilities? It doesn’t necessary affect the facility, but rather than contents being stored within the units. For instance, storing cardboard boxes in a self-storage unit with a high relative humidity (RH) will cause the boxes to become soggy. This is due to the fact that the moisture vapor within the air will settle on the cardboard, saturating it to the point where it begins to give way.
Cardboard boxes aren’t the only items susceptible to the effects of high humidity. The truth is that most items stored in self-storage facilities will in some way be affected by high humidity. This is particularly true for items made of wood, as high humidity will cause them to swell and even warp. The neck of a wooden guitar, for instance, may warp to the point where it’s no longer playable. Considering the fact that guitars cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, this is something most people want to avoid.
Of course, low humidity can also be problematic in self-storage units. If there’s very little moisture vapor in the air, items will naturally dry out.
You can protect your belongings from the harmful effects of fluctuating humidity by following some simple steps. First and foremost, choose a self-storage unit that’s “climate controlled.” As the name suggests, these units have systems in place to control their climate (temperature and humidity).
