Storage: High & Dry!

When you packed up those cardboard boxes to store in the basement or garage last year, it may have been a warm sunny day. Now that it's raining, you may want to do an inspection to make sure everything is staying dry. Deborah Patterson-Garvin, owner of Aloha Moving & Storage, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, warns that any wet and dark area can produce mildew and mold. Boxes stored directly on concrete floors can absorb moisture. Not only do the boxes deteriorate, but moisture can get inside where it can damage papers, documents, books, and whatever else is stored.

A good solution is to lay down some wood 2 X 4s, one foot apart and place the boxes on top. This keeps your items away from damp concrete and allows for airflow. At a professional storage facility, nothing is stored directly upon concrete. Everything is on pallets, shelves or racks.