Keeping Extra Electronics Safe During Extended Storage

If you have to put away multiple useful, relevant computers just to save space, a lack of maintenance can be a big problem. As weeks or months go by, dust and other contaminants can cover the surface of vital components. When humidity, excessive pollution or insect infestation take place, you may be looking at a system that won't work properly when you take it out of storage. Consider a few precautions and storage unit options that could keep your electronics safer throughout long-term storage.

Dust And Contaminant Threats

Many electronics such as computers, displays and many types of office equipment aren't so sensitive that they need to be in a sealed clean room, but there's a few forms of contamination that could become a problem.

Dust is the most basic issue, as many electronics generate heat--an issue that only gets more complicated when dust is involved. Dust is both an insulator that can speed up the heating process by not allowing heat to escape and a clogging material that can reduce the cooling power of fans.

The problem gets worse when humidity and pollen are involved. Humidity isn't a major issue on its own across a couple of weeks, but it can moisten the dust long enough to create a residue that is hard to remove and creates a cooling problem. In cities with heavy pollution, the potentially corrosive pollutants can mix in with the humidity and dust to create a much faster corrosion problem.

Storage Facility Options For Electronics Protection

There's a few options within storage facilities that can keep your electronics safe without any action on your part.

Air conditioning is the first option. Not all storage facilities have air conditioned units, but it can be helpful to both keep equipment from being damaged by extreme heat, reduce humidity, filter out dust and lower the amount of pollution. The potency of the dust and pollution defense depends on the type of air filter used by the facility and how often the air conditioning system is maintained, so be sure to check on the facility management's practices.

It's normal for a previously vacant storage unit to be a bit dusty, so make sure that the unit is cleaned before storage. A general sweeping or vacuuming is a good start, but consider adding an air purifier to the room to operate for a few hours. Air conditioning units aren't designed as perfect air filters, but a dedicated air filter can reduce the dust that will be building up on your equipment from the start.

If you plan on adding additional protection by putting your electronics in boxes, avoid cardboard and other paper-based materials. Plastics and plastic-like containers are better for keeping out moisture, and can be reused with ease. Cardboard boxes can become damp and brittle if any humidity is introduced to the storage unit, and can contribute to dust buildup as the material wears away.

Contact a storage facility management team to discuss self storage units that fit your needs. To find out more, speak with a business like All American Mini Storage.