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How to Pack for Long-Term Storage

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Whether you are moving to a new place or need extra room to store the belongings that don’t fit in your home, long-term storage solutions are a frequent need for people everywhere. Packing and storing your belongings incorrectly is a major concern. In this article, we’ve pinpointed the best ways to pack your items for safety. Learn how to pack for storing your items indefinitely.

Use Strong Materials

Packing with care means using materials that are durable enough to withstand the natural wear and tear that occurs over time. Always wrap your fragile items in durable papers like newsprint or even parchment paper to prevent potential breakage. Covering your belongings will also avoid the accumulation of dust and dirt. For extra support, wrap your belongings in duct tape. Doing so will allow for more coverage and ensure that the paper will not tear to the extent that the items underneath are exposed. For more extensive materials, use tarps and drop cloths for maximum coverage. These methods are most effective at withstanding conditions that deteriorate objects over time. You want to mimic the paper and duct tape used for smaller items with durable materials like heavy-duty cloth and plastic. From here, use rope and saran wrap to keep your oversized items secure.

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Organize By Weight

When you make piles, pile boxes according to weight, with the heaviest items on the bottom. A bad habit newbie organizers get into is piling more pressure onto lighter boxes. This can cause the heavier items to fall and potentially break what you have stored underneath. You’ll want to extend this principle to items that sit to the side as well. Anything that is being propped up by other boxes is still vulnerable to fall if the weight holding it up is not heavy enough. You want to organize your boxes and materials as if they were one unit altogether—place items in their most effective spots to avoid breakage.

Always line your boxes with newspaper. Cardboard boxes generally hold up for an extended period of time in storage, but to take extra precaution, line the bottoms with layers of newspapers. When it comes time to pick up the boxes again, the newspaper will catch any items that may drop from the box. For containers that work even better, look at portable storage units to keep your items secure.

Use Heavy Blankets

Electric blankets, flannel blankets, and other weighted blankets are all excellent options to keep your storage items safe. The thick layers of protection will prevent breakage and limit the amount of movement the items endure when transported from one place to another. You can rent or purchase these blankets at any moving or storage facility near you. Adding these blankets essentially instills toughness onto your items, allowing them to outlast harsh conditions.

Storage Trunks and Rubbermaid

For smaller items, use storage trunks and Rubbermaid containers to keep contents free of damage. These are durable materials that keep fragile contents out of harm’s way. Easily damaged contents like paper, glass, and silver will have a better chance of lasting if placed in boxes of durable material. A metal trunk or a Rubbermaid box are sturdy options. Think of your storage containers as the roof of your home, only your home is your belongings. Pick the most effective materials for the job.

The Bottom Line

Packing for long-term storage requires consideration into the factors that bring harm to belongings. You want to do all you can to safeguard against the risks so that your items stay in top condition. Follow these guidelines to ensure just that!

How to look after the roof on your home

The roofs on our homes are often neglected. As we don’t always look at them, we often forget that they’re there. However, the roof is an essential part of any house as it keeps the elements out and protects what’s inside the home. So, it must be looked after. Without it, the home, and everything in it, would be extremely exposed. Luckily, as homeowners we can do a few things to keep our roofs in tip-top condition to ensure they are doing as they should.

Inspect it

As with anything else in the home, to maintain it, you need to look at it. Roof inspections are no different. An annual roof inspection will identify if any roofing concerns need to be attended to. This is something that homeowners can do, but sometimes, it’s best to have a professional come out to look as they know exactly what to look for. The best roofing contractor northern va has to offer will be able to take one look at a roof and pinpoint any issues to determine if the roof needs any work. Although this can be done annually, it’s also wise to have the roof inspected after any harsh weather like storms, twisters, or hurricanes.

Clean it

Roofs need cleaning. Over time, there can be a build-up of grime. This can come from weather debris, the seasons changing, or mother nature in the form of moss and ivy. Again, this can be done annually, and it’s probably best to do it in the springtime, removing the autumn and winter debris. By cleaning the roof, you are protecting it from damage later on. Most of the time, when debris collects on the roof, it’s usually in the form of leaves, moss, and general sludge. All of these hold water, which can cause dampness in the roof. Ultimately, this could lead to water damage and result in a hole. As there’s usually a loft space between the roof and the last ceiling of the house, such damage often goes unnoticed until it becomes a major problem, requiring the services of a company like Protegrity Restoration to rectify the water damage that’s occurred and a roofing company to either replace or repair the roof. Additionally, cleaning the roof can also deter any pests from making a home there. Pests also won’t be able to burrow into the house as there will be no holes for them.

Replace damaged shingles

Shingles can get damaged for all kinds of reasons. Most of the time, they’re just old and weathered, which causes them to break. When they break, they can cause cracks in the whole roof, or they can fall off completely, leaving part of the roof exposed. When that part of the roof is exposed, it’s more likely to get holes, or the damage can spread as the elements can get under the shingles and lift them. Not only this, but it looks unappealing too and can negatively impact curb appeal and resale value of a property. Replacing damaged shingles as soon as they’re noticed is important to keep the integrity of a roof.

Maintain the gutters

Gutters filter water from the roof, down the side of a home, and into drains. This stops water from pooling on the roof and causing water damage. However, over time, gutters can get blocked with all kinds of debris. Leaves and moss can fall from the roof, plus other kinds of waste can get trapped in there too. There have even been occasions where birds have made nests near gutter piping and sticks, and twigs have gotten stuck. Removing this debris will ensure water doesn’t pool on the roof causing water damage. It’s also important to ensure there are no cracks in the gutter that could lead to leaks elsewhere. If cleaning your gutters on your own sounds daunting (because it is!), let businesses like Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Seattle do the dirty work for you. Then you get quality-cleaned gutters and extra time to do something else that you enjoy.

Sometimes it’s best to get a professional to come and inspect a roof as well as make any repairs. This ensures everything is done properly and the roof is well looked after. A well-maintained roof should last for at least 15 years, however one that is not maintained may need a roof replacement sooner.

5 Growing Cities to Purchase a Home

Hey dads, is it time to start looking into a city where you can purchase a home and raise a happy family? Whether you’re a stay at home dad or one who is looking to provide the best upbringing for his kids, you’re probably looking for a city that will offer a variety of benefits for you and your family.

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As you set about to purchase a home where your family can grow and thrive, consider these 5 cities below that are all growing in one way or another and where you’ll find plenty of top reasons to shop around for the perfect house that you can make a home with your loved ones.

1. Bend, Oregon-A beautiful state, Oregon offers plenty in the way of natural beauty, as well as financial growth. Bend, Oregon may not be as well-known as some other cities like Portland, but it’s fast getting recognized as “the place to be.” For one, the area offers a plethora of fun outdoor activities, from snowboarding to mountain biking and trail running, so if your family is all about being in nature, this could be the ideal location for you.

2. Denver, Colorado-A state that could give Oregon a run for its money, the state of Colorado is gaining popularity, drawing thousands of outdoor loving people on a yearly basis. Denver, in particular, is fast becoming a favorite city for many to move to. This could be because of the proximity to amazing vacation destinations like Breckenridge and Aspen, so if you’re thinking about moving to this popular city, consider VA loans Colorado, which can put you in the position to find a beautiful home for you and your family, whether it’s in Denver itself, or in any of the cities near the front range.

3. Fort Myers, Florida-Found in southern Florida, Fort Myers is an ideal location for anyone who wants to live near beautiful beaches without living in the somewhat expensive city of Miami. One reason many people are moving to Fort Myers is because of the value of living in relation to the cost of owning a home and living there. With its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful nature, as well as gorgeous estates, it’s a charming place to live and could be the perfect place to raise your family.

4. Vista, California-One thing that stands out about Vista, California is both the relaxed environment, as well as the schools in the area. Close to San Diego, you can have the hustle and bustle of big city life at your fingertips while still being able to provide a calmer living experience for your children. With your children’s school being one of the most important things to think about as a parent, if you want to purchase a home in southern California, this could be the ideal city for you and yours.

5. Austin, Texas-There is a running “joke” in Austin about how things have changed since Californians have come in hordes to this south-central Texas city. The thing is that it’s true. Known for the lower taxes and the lively atmosphere found in Austin, many people from other states have taken to this Texan city, both for the live music, good food, and lack of harsh winters. While it is known to be a great place to party and is known for festivals like SXSW and ACL, it’s actually an ideal place to raise a family. Because of its growth, homes are selling for very high prices, but with plenty of suburbs in the area close enough for a quick 20 to 30 minute drive to downtown Austin, there are possibilities, whatever your price range may be.

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In Conclusion

If you want to provide your children with great opportunities and a beautiful place to live, these five cities are growing in popularity and provide a number of benefits, both for you and your children. From Texas to Florida, there are various positives to buying a home in any one of these cities.