How to Store Tiles and Kitchen Appliances

Has COVID-19 stalled your renovation or home improvement plans? Whether you were looking to update your kitchen, renovate your bathroom, or install a new HVAC system, we know how much room those supplies can take up! Instead of keeping the new tiles, flooring, or appliances stored in your home or garage, consider renting a self storage unit. 

Here at Albuquerque Self Storage, we have units of all sizes to fit whatever you need. Our smallest size, which is 6 feet by 4 feet, can fit power tools, flooring, tiles, and one large appliance. If you need more space, we’ve got you covered. Our units go up to 15 feet by 22 feet, which can easily fit a four bedroom home. 

If you’re interested in decluttering your home while you wait for your renovation to continue, then follow these tips! 

How to Store Tiles

Tiles should be stored with care, as they can be prone to damage and fading over time. You should also keep them indoors, or cover them if you need to keep them outside. You should keep tiles in their original packaging until it is time to use them. If you have any ones out of the box, here’s what we recommend. 

Small tiles in any amount can be kept in boxes for easier transport. Just be sure the boxes don’t get too heavy to lift! Carefully pad the bottom of the box before you put down the first tile. Wrap the individual tiles in plastic cellophane wrapping to protect them from scratches. 

Add padding on top of the tile and cushion the sides to prevent chipping. Continue until the box is full.

If the smaller tiles are not stored in a box or container, or not place them directly on the ground or on a surface that soaks in water.

If you are keeping them in a box, be sure to pack them tightly to ensure nothing falls over and cracks! You can choose to stack them either vertically or horizontally, depending on the type of container and the shape of the tile. 

If you have a lot of tiles, stack them vertically so they lay side by side. This prevents any tiles from cracking due to excessive weight. 

For larger tiles, you don’t need to pack them in a box. However, do not place them directly on the ground. Raise them off the ground so they’re not exposed to dirt or water. You can use a wooden pallet or scrap wood to achieve this. The process for packaging them and protecting them remains the same. 

Allow the Tile to Acclimate Before Installing

When you remove the tile from storage, be sure to let them acclimate to your home’s environment before installing them. Give them a few days to get used to the temperature and humidity to avoid cracking. 

How to Store Bathroom and Kitchen Appliances

From toilets to refrigerators, the way you store larger items is relatively the same. As always, do not move anything that is too heavy or too large for you to handle! Do not put yourself at risk for injury!

The most important thing about storing new appliances that have never been used is to keep them in their original packaging. If you removed the wrappings, reapply the same material to the outside to protect them! Plastic cellophane can be used around kitchen appliances, while a mix of cellophane and padding can be used for ceramic or more fragile items (such as a toilet). 

When you’re packing them into a storage unit, leave a couple of inches on each side of the appliance and do not stack anything on top of them. Ensure that objects near them are steady and there is no risk of them falling over. 

Rent A Storage Unit When You Need It

Self storage is affordable in both the short and long term. Many offer month-to-month contracts, so you can use it when you need it and move out of it when you’re ready to go. To keep it easy, many of them only require a 10 day notice before you leave your unit. And some, like Albuquerque Self Storage, don’t require a deposit. 

You don’t have to worry about security either — storage units are safe! Albuquerque Self Storage, has a well lit and gated facility for you to store your items and every unit is protected by a padlock. 

If you’re interested in using us for your self storage needs, contact us today.