Piedmont Self Storage

01/10/2017

Moving to a new home?

If you plan to bring your washer and dryer with you, you’ll want to take careful steps to keep them in top condition.

If you need to store the units for a period of time during the transition, protecting them will ensure they are ready when you need them.

Follow these guidelines to move and store a washer and dryer in the best way possible.

Automatic washing machines in laundry
Prepare a Washer and Dryer

1. Clean your washer of any detergent residue, by running it on a hot water cycle. Add 3/4 cup of vinegar and let the cycle finish.

“Remove all the dust and grime by using a damp cloth for wiping,” suggested Lauren Haynes, a home organizing expert at Star Domestic Cleaners. Leave the door open for several hours or a day to dry it out.

2. Shut off the water supply hoses by turning the valves in a clockwise manner. Switch off any electricity breakers and disconnect the machine. You’ll also want to take off the hoses.

3. Read your washer’s instruction manual to find specific directions for moving the unit.

“The manufacturer usually provides information about transportation of the specific appliance,” said Haynes. “Some of them also come with a moving kit with shipping bolts, wedging foam or cardboard.”

If you can’t find the manual, visit ManualsOnline.com or ask a local technician for advice. You may need to put in a washer lock, which will keep the drum of the machine in place during transit.

4. To get your dryer ready, wipe the machine with a damp cloth and clean the lint trap. Make sure any electricity breakers are turned off, and turn off the gas supply valve to the machine. Disconnect the machine and place any detachable parts in a bag or container so they will stay safe during the move.
Move a Washer and Dryer

The preparations for moving a traditional set and a stacked unit, in which the dryer is above the washing machine, is usually the same:

1. Wrap with blankets and foam to prevent scratches.
2. Load into your moving truck before other items, along with other heavy appliances.
3. Use a shoulder dolly.
4. Secure units to walls of moving truck with an adjustable strap.

“However, moving a stacked unit is quite tricky,” pointed out Haynes. You’ll need to deal with a setup that is twice the height of a regular unit and also weighs considerably more.

If you have a front-loading washer, you may need to take extra measures as well.

“Front-loading washing machines tend to be twice as heavy as the older style,” said Rob Rimeris of EverSafe Moving Company in Philadelphia.

Rather than trying to pick up the units to relocate them, look into a shoulder dolly, suggested Rimeris. If you use a moving company, the movers involved will generally take care of this step. If you’re moving on your own, you may be able to rent or purchase a dolly.

You’ll also want to keep protection in mind when moving a washer and dryer.

“We wrapped the washer and dryer with blankets and foam to prevent them from getting scratches,” recalled Marcus K**i, a blogger at Our Peaceful Family who moved a washer and dryer. “Then we put them on as the first two things to go in the moving truck.”

K**i made sure the units were secured by tying them to the truck and using at adjustable strap to keep them in place. He also checked that no liquids were close to them.
Store a Washer and Dryer

If you store a washer and dryer, you’ll want to keep the area you place them in clean and dry:

1. Store units off the ground using pallets or cardboard.
2. Keep covered with blanket, foam or shrink wrap.
3. Keep away from liquids or heavy objects that could fall and damage your units.

Storing the units off of the ground can help avoid the risk of rust in the future. “For storage, we store on pallets to prevent water damage,” explained Rusi. To find pallets, check with a nearby store, shipping company or storage facility. And if pallets are unavailable, place the washer and dryer on several sheets of cardboard to keep them off of the floor.

To protect the machines, cover them with a blanket or foam during their time in storage. Shrink wrap is also a good solution to keep units protected, added Rimeris.

Don’t store liquids or other items that could cause damage near the units. That way, when you are ready to use the washer and dryer again, they will be in solid working order.

03/04/2016

Spring is upon us. It is time for spring cleaning. If you are looking to clear out and need storage, we are your answer.

02/04/2015

How to select a storage facility:
At Piedmont Self Storage (PSS), we often have people ask us multiple questions when trying to decide on a storage facility/ unit. Have you ever wondered what you should look for when choosing a storage facility to store your treasured items? There are many things you should consider when seeking a facility that will effectively meet your storage needs. We recommend that you ask what kind of security is available to help protect your belongings such as:
Is the facility gated?
Does it have a keypad entry where you are given your personal gate code?
Do they restrict access to reasonable hours to help minimize the chance of someone breaking in during hours that see little traffic?
Does it have security cameras to record activity in the facility?
Does it provide adequate lighting at night?
Do they provide secure locks such as disc locks?
Do they offer reasonably priced insurance from a reputable company with NO deductible to protect you should an unforeseen event such as fire or theft occur?
At PSS, the answer to ALL of these questions is, “Yes”!
Other questions you may want to ask are about unit sizes. Ask if they have a guide that will help you choose the correct size before you move your belongings in, only to find out the last few items won’t fit or you reserve a unit that is twice as big as you need. A knowledgeable manager can help you determine what size you need before you move in, saving you time and/or money.
Does your facility offer multiple easy options to make your rent payment? We all know life can get busy, so being able to conveniently pay online with a credit or debit card from your own home is often appealing to individuals. Some facilities, like PSS, even provide an avenue for you to make automated payments every month. You don’t ever have to remember, which may help you to avoid late fees. Other people, however, prefer to pay with cash, money orders, or checks that they can either mail in or drop off at the facility.
Does the facility have a user-friendly website that allows you to manage your own account online? You can do everything from renting a unit to buying insurance to paying your rent and much more all online.
Finally, we all love to make extra money. Ask your facility if they offer a referral program for any new tenant you may refer to them. For example, PSS has a generous referral program where we will actually pay YOU $50 for each referral who rents a unit from us. That’s $50 cash in your pocket just by sending people our way!
At Piedmont Self Storage, we value our tenants and strive to provide them with the best customer service that we can. We hope that next time you are in need of storage or hear of someone who is, you will send them our way!

10/20/2014

How to survive the holidays!!
As the holiday season quickly approaches, many of us find that our surroundings seem to get smaller. We are continuously trying to find creative places to hide gifts so that those sneaky little (and big) kids don’t find them. Before we know it, we also have several more people in our home as well and would love more room to entertain, but there is no space to store that table or those chairs. Well, you’re in luck. Santa has reserved several 10x20 storage units at Piedmont Self Storage as part of his closet. You will have plenty of room to hide those gifts where NOBODY will find them or at least be able to get them (except for you and your top secret helpers of course). And rest assured that the furniture you need to move out in order to make more room for parties, guests, and tree will be safe and sound through the holidays. Just ask us about our “Santa’s Closet” special to book your unit through the upcoming holidays! Ho, Ho, Ho and Happy Holidays to all!
http://piedmontselfstorage.com/

08/09/2014

08/09/2014

Piedmont Self Storage offers a generous referral program. When you send someone to us who rents a unit, we will give you $50! Let us serve your family's and friends' storage needs!

08/09/2014

Piedmont Self Storage has completed major renovations and upgrades including:
-24 Hour Digitally recorded security cameras
-Lighting
-Automatic gate with electronic keypad entry
-Payment by credit cards
-Recycled asphalt pavement around the units
-New signage