A Quick Guide to Maintaining Your Self-Storage Facility: 3 Areas on Which to Focus

Reprinted with permission from Janus International.

If you're a self-storage operator, you know facility maintenance is an ongoing, time-consuming task. Because proper upkeep and repairs are vital to your bottom line, your customers’ peace of mind and your competitive edge, preventive and predictive care is a must for every facility, no matter its size or class.

While site maintenance can sometimes feel overwhelming, it doesn't have to be. In this article, I’ll discuss three target areas on which to focus as well as solutions for performing key tasks and staying ahead of issues.

Roll-Up Doors

Each and every tenant of your self-storage facility will interact with a unit door, making this component quite vital. If your doors don't look good and function properly, you're likely losing business. You want a door that's easy to install, operate and maintain.

It’s important that your doors work well for several reasons. Mostly, you don't want a door to accidentally hurt a tenant or damage their property. This is a huge liability, so it's critical from a safety standpoint that you always maintain your doors and ensure they're in optimal condition.

The most common pieces of the door to require attention are the springs. First, these might need additional lubrication for smoother operation. Of course, if you invest in a dead-axle roll-up door that has enclosed springs lubricated in the factory, it’ll be virtually maintenance-free. Factory-lubricated springs are enclosed and protected from environmental elements, allowing them to last much longer than those on a live-axle door.

Door springs also tend to relax over time, so they might require a tension adjustment. It's important that this be completed by a professional door technician, as springs are charged under tension, and if they aren’t adjusted properly, it could result in significant injury. It's important to find a door that's quick and easy to adjust if necessary. Ratchet-tensioning devices were designed to simplify the process. It allows the technician to simultaneously fine-tune all the springs at once, requiring no pins to hold the tension.

Last but not least, make sure your doors look their best. Look for a model that comes in a variety of durable color options and has an impressive paint warranty to protect it against those aging elements that repel tenants. If your door curtains are chalky, chipped or fading, it may be time for replacement.

Lighting

You've more than likely changed your fair share of light bulbs at your self-storage facility over the years. A brightly lit property helps tenants feel safe and can deter criminal activity. Consider investing in LED or smart lights that are designed to last longer, generate less heat and use less energy. This can save you money over time and decrease the need to change faulty bulbs around the site.

Security Gates

Security gates are vital to tracking who’s coming and going from your self-storage facility. Using cloud-based access via smart devices unlocks a variety of benefits for you and your tenants. It also gives you the advantage of customizing access per user, allowing certain individuals to have 24/7 entry with others limited to set business hours.

Perform regular maintenance on your gate to ensure optimal operation. This includes lubricating the chain quarterly and an annual inspection by a professional installer.

Keeping up with your self-storage facility can be time-consuming; however, having a plan can help alleviate frustration. The goal is to provide an outstanding site you’ll be proud to show off to new customers and current renters.

Bethany Morehouse is a marketing-content manager for Janus International, a global provider of self-storage doors and hallway systems, relocatable storage units, facility-automation solutions, and restoration services. To reach her, call 866.562.2580 or email [email protected].