Cleaning up after a flood can seem daunting. But one thing that can make it a whole lot easier is renting a storage unit. Much of the most expensive damage during a flood is to walls, carpets, and floors, and the more stuff you can move out of your home, the easier it will be for you – or for a professional – to dry out. When renting a temporary storage unit after a flood, there are a few things you should be sure to do.

Make Sure Objects Are Dry Before Putting Them In Storage

Getting as many things out of your home as possible will make it easier for a damage restoration company to clean up and fix your home, but it's important not to rush. If you move things into your storage unit without cleaning and drying them first, you may end up with a mold problem. The dark interior of a storage unit, especially during cool weather, doesn't make for a good combination with damp furniture or household goods.

Most objects can be air-dried in your yard and then taken to your unit, and clothing and linens can be washed and dried at a laundromat.

Some storage units can moderate the temperature and humidity levels within it. Contact a professional storage business like Liberty Self Storage to see if they offer any of these features for keeping your items dry.

Don't Store Mattresses

Unfortunately, if the flooding was high enough to damage mattresses, they are a lost cause. Water that soaks into a mattress, even if it's not contaminated, can lead to mold and mildew growing within the mattress itself, and this mold is almost impossible to remove. For cheaper mattresses, the cost of a professional cleaning is more than it would cost to buy a new mattress.

If your mattress is high-end and you really don't want to get rid of it, ask a restoration company whether it can be cleaned. If the answer is yes, you still shouldn't store the mattress in your storage unit, however. The propensity of a wet mattress to grow mold means that it could easily contaminate your other belongings if you put it into storage.

Appliances And Electronics Should Be Professionally Inspected

Some appliances won't be able to be moved out of your house and into storage, but smaller objects like toasters, toaster ovens, or countertop microwaves can be. You can also move electronics like televisions, entertainment systems and computers. However, these items need to be inspected before you move them to your unit.

In addition to the damage water can do to the internals of electronics, when water gets inside electronics and dries there, it can leave behind deposits of salt and other minerals. This means that even devices and appliances that seem completely dry may be damaged on the inside. Put them into storage this way, and the first time you use them after taking them out, you could end up with a short circuit – or even an electrical fire. That's why it's crucial that you have them inspected for damage before storing them.