Storage Information

The need for storage space

Almost everyone needs storage space at one time or another. The nature of modern life is that we need some things periodically, and temporarily, and between those times, they have to be placed somewhere for safe keeping. This is true of our tools, our recreation equipment, and even our documents.

Renting or owning my storage space

If you have a location, buying is always better than renting. In the end, you have a product that has value, and belongs to you. This product can be used for continued storage purposes, re tooled for other purpose, or even sold if the need for it is gone. There are more reasons. A building on your own property is more convenient than one across town. If you own the building it can be used any time you get ready to use it, day or night. Because it is near your back door, you will save on fuel as well. See also: Buy A Storage Building Instead of Renting Space

The hallmarks of high quality storage buildings

Good material, and solid construction will mean long life, and easy maintenance. In most instances this will mean wooden framed structures with metal siding. These buildings represent the best long term value. Wooden , or composition siding with composition roofing requires quite a bit of maintenance. If such a building is not periodically cleaned, sealed, and painted, the material will degrade quickly. Steel clad buildings are almost maintenance free. Buying The Right Storage Building

Determining the size of the building you need

Deciding your buildings size, will require deciding the buildings intended use, and by available space. If the building is to be used for the purpose of storage, the number of cubic feet of the material to be stored can be determined by some simple measurements, and some simple math.  For workshop use, size should be determined by design and usability. The need for 200 square feet of space to be placed into an area no wider than 10 feet will require the building to be longer than it is wide. Whatever your buildings intended use, add at least 10 percent to the final size. Most people need more space than they initially expected. See: Buying The Right Storage Building

Deciding where to locate the building

The building should be placed where it can be reached easily, and where it does not interfere with lawn and landscape practices. we also need to think about the irrigation system, and how it will interact with the building. Some irrigation adjustments may be needed. See also: Storage Placement

Financing a storage building

Portable utility building producers and dealers want to sell buildings. That is why they are in the business. For that reason, most will have several financing options available. Of course, everyone loves cash. Most will help you to locate a loan source, and there is also the rent to own option, and some dealers offer ’90 days same as cash”. See: Storage Building Finance Rent To Own.

Buying online is also possible. See: How To Buy A Storage Building Safely And Securely Online

Getting your building to you

Most buildings are built at a factory like facility, and then delivered to the locations where they are to be displayed and sold. When a building is sold on a lot, it will be picked up at that lot, and hauled to it’s new home. That is not the only way it can be done though. Buildings can be built to meet your specific needs, and hauled directly to your place, or they can be built on site. On site building normally requires an on site fee, but this will probably be offset by omitting the cost of a delivery fee. There is always a cost for delivery. When a dealer tells you that they do not charge for delivery, that simply means that they have figured the cost into the building in other places. Free delivery is a gimmick. Look at the quality, and the final cost, and that will determine the buildings true value. See also: Storage Building Delivery

Uses of utility buildings

How you choose to use your utility building is limited only by your imagination and creativity. They serve well for the purpose of storage, but can also be used for work and hobby shops, offices, game rooms, and entertainment rooms. See: Storage Buildings Who Needs Them?

Maintaining your storage building

Utility building maintenance needs are determined by the type of materials and the quality of workmanship in the building. A well built steel clad building will be almost free of upkeep. A building built with other materials will require cleaning, sealing and painting on a regular basis to maintain looks and structural integrity. Read more in Storage Building Maintenance.

A row of metal storage buildings

Garden and Lawn Equipment Storage

Most equipment is designed to withstand the elements for outdoor use, but not for extended periods of non use and outdoor exposure. Paint fades and chips, exposed steels rust, plastic parts warp, and become inflexible. To increase the life span of tools and equipment, they need to be stored indoors.

When storing tools and equipment indoors, there are a few things that you can do to assure that they are in good condition and ready to put to work when winter is over, and the lawn starts to turn green again.

• First of all, the tools and equipment should be cleaned and dried. Removing the mud, and weeds from your equipment will avoid hidden pockets of rust and other degradation, will keep your storage building clean, and will allow closer inspection, and more pleasant repairs if needed.

• If you are storing gasoline powered equipment, it would be wise to drain the fuel tank for at least 2 reasons. For safety, and to avoid fuel separation, and condensation during storage.

• Since the equipment is now clean and dry, it can be inspected for cracks, leaks, and worn parts. When problems are found, why waste time, replace the parts that should be replaced, and do any repair work that needs to be done, so it will be ready when spring is sprung. Pay special attention to belts and hoses.

• Give the equipments joints a shot of grease from your grease gun before you put everything away for the winter, and be sure to wipe off any excess. Greasing the joints will help to prevent rust from forming on metal to metal surfaces, bu forcing out any hidden moisture, and coating the surfaces.

• There is the question of oil changes, whether it is better to change the oil before storage or just before season. That is really up to you. If you choose to change the oil before storage, do so before you empty the fuel tank, so that you can run the equipment for a few minutes for oil distribution, and check for leaks.

• This would also be a good time to sharpen any blades that might need attention. Putting a good, sharp, clean, smooth edge on the blades will assure you quick starts when the grass starts to grow, or the garden is ready to be tilled. When your blades are sharpened, wipe them clean, and give them a light coating of oil, or even better, linseed oil for the winter to prevent rust.

• Any equipment that is painted, might benefit from some touch up paint where some of the protective coatings have been chipped, scratched, or otherwise marred. Coating it now, will help to keep the problem from spreading.