Storage
AN EXTENSION OF YOUR HOME OR OFFICE
When you need to store furniture, office files, cars, boats or seasonal items like lawn mowers, snowblowers and holiday decorations, think of Napier Properties of the Ozarks, LLC as an extension of your home or office.
Well lit and secure, the storage units range in size from 8-by-10 feet that will store boxes, totes, appliances and small furniture to a 10-by-32-foot unit that will hold the entire contents of a four-bedroom house. For those looking to store a boat or recreational vehicle, we also have 12-by-36-foot and larger storage space.
Napier Properties of the Ozarks, LLC has a variety of mini storage units, warehouse spaces, RV & boat storage and much more!
Storage Tips!
Gather Materials
Start by gathering as many boxes as you think you will need as well as tape, markers, and packing material (e.g., foam shipping noodles, bubble wrap, packing paper or towels).Uniform Sizes
If possible, try to use uniformly sized boxes for easy stacking.Inventory
Make up an inventory list of your items and keep it in a safe place (at home or in a safe deposit box) away from the unit.Prepare
Prepare your space by placing a protective cover on the floor under your goods.Keep Dry
Place your storage items on 2×4 boards or on pallets to guard against dampness. Any concrete floor may become cold and damp.Access
Plan your storage space. Place items that you may need to access often in the front of the unit.CAUTION
Do not store anything COMBUSTIBLE (e.g., paint thinner, gasoline, solvents, or paint).Easier Access
Try to leave an aisle down the center of the storage unit for easier access. Leave a small space between the walls and boxes to allow for air circulation.Stack
Stack heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes on top.Strong Boxes
Be sure your boxes are strong enough to hold 25-30 pounds (although we suggest not putting too much in each box).List Contents
List contents of boxes on all four sides; number the boxes and seal with tape.
Wrap It Up
Dishes and glasses should be wrapped in paper and packed in sturdy boxes. Stack them on top.Fragile
Fragile pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in cardboard, marked “FRAGILE” and stacked on end.Extra Space
Furniture with drawers can be utilized as storage places for pictures, knick-knacks, china, silverware, small items, etc. Wrap them in tablecloths, towels, or blankets to prevent breakage.Appliances
Larger appliances make excellent “packaging cases” for blankets, towels, tablecloths and clothes.Electronics
Put TVs and other electronics in the rear of your unit.Stored Together
Shovels, hoes, rakes, and hoses can be stored together in empty trash cans. Stack extra cans inside each other.Removable Legs
Tables that have removable legs should be broken down to save space.Sofas and Loveseats
Sofas and loveseats can be stored on end to save floor space.Sharp or Heavy Objects
Avoid placing sharp or heavy objects on top of upholstered furniture.Stuffed Furniture
Cover stuffed furniture with cardboard or blankets to protect against dust. If fabric furniture, please see mattress suggestions below for helping with dampness.
Mattresses
If you stand mattresses on their sides, prop them up so they stand straight. Otherwise, they tend to bend out of shape and become lumpy.
How to Store a Mattress
DO: Thoroughly clean both sides of the mattress Before storing your mattress, it is important to thoroughly clean it off. First, sprinkle baking soda on your mattress to absorb odors and let it sit for a day. After the day is up, vacuum up any leftover baking soda. If you have stains on your mattress, use an upholstery cleaner to clean them. After using a liquid on your mattress, it is important to give your mattress ample time to dry before continuing to the next step.
DON’T: Wrap the mattress in plastic. A mattress needs to be covered while in storage. This will not only prevent dust from settling on it while in the storage unit, it will also help to protect your mattress during the move. But it is important to never use plastic when storing your mattress. Instead, utilize a mattress storage cover. A mattress storage cover will allow the mattress to breath and prevent moisture from getting trapped inside.
DO: Move your mattress in a covered vehicle During your move, moisture is the enemy. When moving your mattress from one location to the next, be sure to use a covered vehicle. This will help to keep your mattress clean and dry.
DON’T: Store your mattress on its side When storing a mattress, it is important to store it flat. While storing the mattress on its side may help to take up less space, overtime the springs inside of the mattress can sink and permanently damage your mattress.
DON’T: Stack items on top of the mattress It is important to never stack items on top of your mattress. Over time, the weight of items stacked on top of your mattress can permanently damage the springs and coils inside of the mattress.
DO: Follow the same tips for storing a box spring Are you storing a box spring too? No worries! When storing a box spring, follow all of the same tips for storing a mattress. Following these simple tips will help to keep your box springs and mattress in the best shape possible.
RV Storage
Avid campers often invest in their own RVs in order to take weekend outings to the next level. These homes-on-wheels have the ability to make camping a luxurious experience and bring families closer together. However, owning a camper does come with its share of difficulties—like finding enough room for something of that size at home.
Fortunately, self storage facilities across the country provide outdoor RV storage for those who want to free up some driveway space and still have easy access to their recreational vehicles.
Understanding Unit Size With Your RV
RVs come in a wide range of sizes, so you have to be aware of that when looking for RV storage. Parking spots at storage facilities may vary in size, too, so it’s important to know if your RV will fit. Here are the different classes of RVs and the storage sizes they require:
Class A Motorhome (40 feet and up): If you have a Class A motorhome, you’ll need a fairly large parking spot or storage unit to store your RV. The amount of space required could be up to 40 feet long to accommodate the largest of Class A motorhomes. In order to store one indoors, it would likely have to be at a special RV storage facility.
Class B Motorhome (25 feet and up): Class B motorhome owners won’t need as large of a parking spot or unit as those with Class A motorhomes. A Class B motorhome can be up to 17 or 19 feet long, so you’ll need at least that much space for storage.
Class C Motorhome (30 feet and up): Class C motorhomes are also fairly long so you’ll need to be sure you have a space at least 30 feet in length to be able to store this type of RV. Usually, these will require a specialized facility for indoor storage as well.
RV Storage Unit Sizes
Most facilities cannot accommodate indoor RV storage unless they’re built for that specific purpose. RVs can be up to 13.5 feet in height, which isn’t available at a standard facility, so make sure you have proper clearance if you plan to store indoors.
Types of RV storage
Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to protect your RV from the elements, which may be recommended in a region with harsh winters. While most facilities have outdoor RV storage, some may offer indoor or covered RV storage as well.
Outdoor – Outdoor RV storage is the most common choice and the most affordable. If weather isn’t much of a concern in your area, Outdoor storage can be a great option for your RV.
Covered – There are some storage facilities that offer covered storage for RVs and trailers. These provide additional protection from the elements, such as sun, hail, and snow.
Indoor – Indoor RV storage is the most expensive option for storing your motorhomes or trailers, but it’s worth it in certain climates. If you experience heavy snowfall or severe storms in your region, protecting your RV with indoor storage will save you money on repairing damages.
Reasons for using RV storage
There are many great reasons for using self storage for your RV. Not only is RV storage an affordable and convenient option, it has many other benefits as well.
Free space
RVs come in a wide range of sizes, varying from compact 5th wheels trailers to large motorhomes. The largest, the Class A motorhome, can average between 25 to 40 feet long. The large size of most campers can easily take up an entire driveway or cause problems with home storage. Using RV or trailer storage allows you to take back some of that space.
Neighborhood covenant
A lot of neighborhoods have specific covenants that prohibit the parking of RVs or trailers on driveways for long periods of time. There are even rules against parking one along the side of your home in some neighborhoods depending on the regulations of your homeowners association. Camper storage allows you to follow HOA rules and still own the camping vehicle of your dreams.
Protection/security
It can be dangerous to leave an RV or trailer in front of your house, as they’re often magnets for vandalism and theft. Using RV storage can provide an added level of security for your favorite camper. Storage facilities often have high fences, gated access, and even video surveillance.
Convenient location
With so many storage facilities spread throughout the nation, you can easily find a location that’s convenient for you. Whether that means it’s close to your home or closer to the highway, you can choose a storage facility that makes hitting the open road easier than ever.
FAQ
How do I prepare my RV for winter storage?
There are many things you can do to prepare your RV for winter storage, all of which will depend on if you’re storing outdoors or indoors. For outdoor storage, you’ll want to be especially careful, as the weather can damage your RV over long periods of time. Take a look at some of the most important preparation steps below:
washing your RV
lubricating moving parts
covering tires
cover with a breathable tarp
use moisture-absorbent material on the inside to prevent mold
disconnecting propane tanks
removing perishables and valuables
proofing for pests
STORAGE UNIT PROHIBITED ITEMS
1. EXPLOSIVES MATERIALS / PRESSURE VESSELS / AEROSOLS
Explosives are one of the top storage unit prohibited items. Explosives include Compressed Gasses, Propane tanks, Gasoline, Fireworks, Cleaning supplies, Aerosol cans and Kerosene. Unsure if an item is considered an explosive? If it could start a fire, it is prohibited. We want to keep your belongings protected in our storage unit. If an explosive went off inside your unit, it would cause untold damage for your items as well as the items in the neighboring units.
2. AMMUNITION
Bullets and other forms of ammunition are explosive by nature, so they are prohibited.
3. FIREARMS
Most self storage units do not allow any kind of firearm. This includes revolvers, pistols, shotguns, and rifles. If you’re looking for a way to store your guns safely, consider a gun safe for your home.
4. HAZARDOUS & TOXIC MATERIALS
You are prohibited from storing or using materials in this storage unit that are classified as hazardous or toxic under any local, state, or federal law or regulations. To keep your belongings and the belongings of others protected, keep hazardous materials out of your storage unit. This includes Toxic substances, Acids, Disinfectants, Fungicides, Radioactive materials, Biological waste (Fertilizer), Paint Thinner and Chemicals.
5. FOOD / PERISHABLES
All food items, including pet food, are on the list of storage unit prohibited items. If left in a storage unit, food will rot, attracting insects and rodents to your unit. It can also lead to infestation issues for the entire storage facility. As you pack containers and boxes in your unit, remember to check your holiday decorations, as many are food based, containing corn and other items. It could lead to the growth of mold or other bacteria.
6. LIVE PETS / PEOPLE / PLANTS
It should go without saying, but people and pets are prohibited from residing in storage units. It’s not only against storage unit restrictions, but it is also against the law. Don’t ever leave a person or a pet inside a storage unit. Plants will shrivel and die in your storage unit, so don’t keep them in storage.
7. PRICELESS & IRREPLACEABLE ITEMS
We recommend keeping jewelry or other highly valuable items with you, rather than in your storage unit. Most storage units do not offer any kind of liability insurance for these items. Some prohibited items include: Money, Furs.
8. STOLEN ITEMS / ILLEGAL DRUGS
It should go without saying that illegal items under any local, state, or federal law or regulations are on the list of storage unit prohibited items. If it’s illegal, you cannot store it.
9. SCENTED OR WET ITEMS
It doesn’t matter whether the scent is good or bad. If there’s an odor, don’t put it in a storage unit. From perfume and cologne to cans of Febreeze, keep it out of your unit to prevent a bad reaction with the other items you are storing. This also includes moth balls: We all think of those as great when storing wool items at home, but they do not do well inside a unit. If you have a question about an item, check with our team. Some prohibited items include: Perfumes, Water bottles, Drinks, Nail Polish remover, Chemicals, Paint, Petrol, Oil.
Wet items are another no-no, as they can create mold and spread to your neighbors’ belongings. If you’re moving in while it’s raining, be sure to bring additional towels to thoroughly dry your belongings.
10. TIRES
The majority of self storage units include tires on their list of storage unit prohibited items. Tires are difficult to move. Unfortunately, some storage unit users disappear and leave their belongings for the storage unit to get rid of, making it difficult for storage companies. While you can store a vehicle with the tires on it, you can’t store loose tires. If you need to dispose of tires, reach out to 1-800-Got-Junk?, and they’ll assist you with tire recycling.
11. BATTERIES
12: Uninsured Vehicles or Vehicles That Aren’t Operational
If you want to store a boat, truck, motorcycle, or RV in a storage facility, you need to make sure to insure them. That even goes for trailers, which must have fully functional tires. The reason why is simply that it’s unsafe. When you rent a storage unit, the on-site manager will ask for proof of registration, insurance, and license. Some prohibited items include: Vehicles that are not registered or insured or that you do not hold the title to.
Other than the items listed above, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions about whether or not an item can be put in storage. Ask us!
What happens if we discover prohibited items in storage:
Storage of any Prohibited Items may result in additional fees and penalties, including and up to termination of your rental agreement. Prohibited Items that we discover will be quarantined and, at our sole discretion, either disposed of or returned to you, at your cost.
If we find that you have stored any of these items, there will be a $100 non-refundable fee each month until removed.