Blogs


Reclaim Your Garage This Winter: A Guide to Storing Your Seasonal Vehicle

Specialty Storage


For many homeowners in Northeast Ohio, the two-car garage is a hub of daily activity. It’s the place you escape the freezing rain, unload groceries, and keep your daily-driver safe from the elements. But when you also own a seasonal vehicle - a classic car, a summer convertible, or a weekend project - that spacious garage can quickly become a game of musical cars. Every time you need to leave, it’s the "winter shuffle": pull one car out to let the other one out, then pull it back in. Your prized vehicle becomes a bulky obstacle, and your daily drivers are often left out in the cold. This winter, it's time to reclaim your garage for what you need most: daily convenience and protection. Storing your seasonal vehicle professionally is the key. 1. Prioritize Your Daily Driver Winter in Ohio is harsh. Freezing temperatures, ice, and road salt can do a number on your primary vehicle. The single most important benefit of a garage in winter is protecting the car you rely on every day. By moving your seasonal vehicle to a secure storage facility, you guarantee yourself: A frost-free start on icy mornings. Protection from snow, sleet, and freezing rain. A shield from corrosive road salt that can cause rust and damage. The simple convenience of getting in and out of your car in a sheltered space. Your garage should make your daily life easier, not more complicated. 2. Give Your Seasonal Vehicle Superior Protection While a home garage is better than the driveway, it isn’t a perfect environment for long-term storage. It’s subject to temperature swings, humidity, and the risk of accidental dings from lawnmowers, bicycles, or car doors. A professional storage facility offers a higher level of care. At Security Self-Storage VII, our indoor and covered parking options provide a stable, dedicated space away from daily traffic. This protects your vehicle’s finish, tires, and mechanical components from the conditions that can cause slow deterioration over the winter months. 3. Prepare Your Vehicle for its Winter Hibernation Properly preparing your car for ...


Norm Kotoch
October 3rd, 2025


The Ultimate Checklist for Winter Motorcycle Storage

Specialty Storage


For every motorcycle rider in Northeast Ohio, the arrival of autumn brings a mix of emotions. While we soak up the last of the crisp, beautiful riding days, we know winter is just around the corner. Storing your motorcycle properly isn't just about throwing a cover on it; it's a crucial process that protects your investment and ensures a trouble-free start to next year's riding season. Improper storage can lead to a dead battery, gummed-up fuel lines, rust, and other costly repairs. Follow this ultimate checklist to winterize your bike correctly and give yourself peace of mind all winter long. 1. Choose the Right Location Before you do anything else, decide where your bike will live for the next few months. A cold, damp garage or shed exposes your motorcycle to extreme temperature swings and humidity, which can accelerate rust and degrade components. The ideal location is dry, secure, and maintains a stable temperature. A climate-controlled storage unit at a facility like Security Self-Storage VII is the perfect solution, protecting your bike from the very conditions that cause winter damage. 2. Give Your Bike a Thorough Wash and Wax Give your motorcycle one last deep clean. Bugs, dirt, and road grime can contain acidic substances that will eat away at your paint and chrome if left to sit for months. After washing and drying it completely, apply a quality coat of wax to the painted surfaces and a metal protectant to any chrome to create a protective barrier against moisture. 3. Stabilize the Fuel System Modern gasoline can go stale in just a few months, leaving behind gummy deposits that clog fuel lines and carburetors. To prevent this, fill your tank about 95% full (leaving a little room for expansion) and add the appropriate amount of a quality fuel stabilizer. Run the engine for 5-10 minutes to ensure the stabilized fuel circulates through the entire system. 4. Tend to the Battery A battery can lose its charge over a long, cold winter, which can shorten its lifespan or kill ...


Norm Kotoch
October 3rd, 2025


4 Ways Self-Storage Helps You Sell Your Home This Fall

Moving Tips


Selling your home is a significant undertaking, and while spring often gets the spotlight, the fall market is full of serious, motivated buyers. To capture their attention, your home needs to look its absolute best. This means creating a warm, inviting, and spacious environment. The secret to achieving that perfect autumn showing? Decluttering and smart staging. Juggling seasonal items, personal belongings, and excess furniture can feel overwhelming. That’s where a self-storage unit becomes your most valuable tool. Here are four ways using self-storage can streamline your selling process and help you close the deal this fall. 1. Create an Unforgettable First Impression When a potential buyer pulls up, the exterior of your home sets the first—and most critical—impression. In the fall, this means showcasing a tidy, well-maintained yard. Storing bulky summer and spring items is the fastest way to create a clean, spacious look. A self-storage unit is the perfect off-site solution for: Patio furniture and umbrellas Grills and outdoor cooking equipment Lawnmowers, garden tools, and empty planters Pool supplies and children's outdoor toys By clearing these items, you allow buyers to see the full potential of your outdoor space and envision themselves enjoying a crisp autumn evening there. 2. Master the Art of Seasonal Staging Fall is all about creating a cozy atmosphere. However, "cozy" should never mean "cramped." To successfully stage your interior, you need to strike a balance. This often means temporarily removing items to make rooms feel larger and more open. Use a climate-controlled storage unit from Security Self-Storage VII to protect your sensitive belongings while you stage. You can safely store: Excess Furniture: That oversized armchair or extra bookcase can make a living room feel small. Store it to open up the floor plan. Personal Décor: Depersonalizing is key. Store family photos, collections, and bold artwork so buyers can mentally move their own things in. Off-Season Clothing: Free up valuable closet space by storing your summer wardrobe, making closets look spacious and organized. With your items safely stored, you can add simple, elegant fall touches—like a bowl of apples or a ...


Norm Kotoch
September 17th, 2025


4 Summer Items You Should Store Professionally This Fall

Self Storage Tips


As the crisp autumn air settles over Northeast Ohio, the season of backyard barbecues, lake days, and weekend road trips comes to a close. Now comes the annual task of packing away summer. While it’s tempting to stuff everything back into the garage or basement, these spaces often lack the security and stable environment needed to protect your valuable equipment. Overcrowded garages lead to clutter, accidental damage, and leave your primary vehicles out in the cold. This year, reclaim your space and give your summer gear the protection it deserves. Here are four key summer items that benefit from professional self-storage. 1. Boats, RVs, and Classic Cars Your recreational vehicles are significant investments. Leaving them exposed to the harsh Ohio winter—with its snow, ice, and salt—can lead to rust, cracked tires, and engine damage. Even a simple garage doesn't always offer enough space or protection. The Solution: Secure vehicle storage is essential. At Security Self-Storage VII in Solon, we offer indoor and covered parking designed specifically for boats, RVs, and classic cars. Our facility shields your vehicles from the elements, and with features like 24/7 DVR surveillance and a secure perimeter, you can rest easy knowing your prized possession is safe all winter long. 2. Patio Furniture and High-End Grills Outdoor living sets and sophisticated grills can be expensive. Constant exposure to moisture, freezing temperatures, and thawing cycles will warp wooden furniture, rust metal frames, crack plastic, and damage the delicate components of your grill. Simply throwing a tarp over them isn't enough to prevent damage from moisture and pests. The Solution: A clean, dry self-storage unit is the perfect home for your outdoor gear. A 5x10 or 10x10 unit provides ample space to store your patio set, cushions, umbrellas, and grill. This not only protects them but also frees up significant space on your patio or in your garage for the fall and winter months. 3. Lawn and Garden Equipment Lawnmowers, trimmers, and other garden tools contain fuel and oil that can degrade over the winter. They also ...


Norm Kotoch
September 1st, 2025


5 Common Self-Storage Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Self Storage Tips


Renting a self-storage unit is a fantastic way to declutter your home, manage a move, or store business inventory. While the process is straightforward, a few common missteps can lead to wasted money, damaged belongings, or unnecessary stress. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure your storage experience is smooth and successful from day one.As the storage experts in Solon, OH, we’ve seen it all. Here are the five most common mistakes people make when renting a storage unit and, more importantly, how you can easily avoid them. 1. Choosing the Wrong Size Unit It’s tempting to grab the smallest, cheapest unit available, but this can backfire. Cramming your belongings into a space that’s too tight increases the risk of damage and makes it impossible to access items without unpacking everything. On the other hand, renting a unit that's too large means you’re paying for space you don’t need. How to Avoid It: Before you rent, make a quick inventory of what you plan to store. Our experienced staff at Security Self-Storage VII can help you visualize the space and recommend the perfect unit size for your specific needs, ensuring you get the most value for your money. 2. Underestimating the Need for Climate Control Standard storage units are exposed to Northeast Ohio’s fluctuating temperatures and humidity. This can be disastrous for sensitive items. Wood furniture can warp and crack, electronics can corrode, documents and photos can yellow, and mold and mildew can ruin upholstery and fabrics. How to Avoid It: If you’re storing anything valuable or susceptible to temperature damage, always opt for a climate-controlled unit. Our facility maintains consistent temperature and humidity levels year-round, creating the ideal environment to preserve your furniture, artwork, electronics, and important records in pristine condition. 3. Forgetting About Accessibility and Convenience Think about the physical process of moving your items. Are you prepared to haul heavy boxes and furniture across a parking lot in the rain or snow? The convenience of accessing your unit can make or break your storage experience, ...


Norm Kotoch
August 13th, 2025


Getting Started with Wine Storage: 4 Essential Tips for Collectors

Wine Storage


Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of fine wine, your collection represents an investment in taste, time, and passion. To protect that investment and ensure every bottle matures to its full potential, proper storage is non-negotiable. Many new collectors mistakenly believe a cool basement or a standard refrigerator is sufficient, but these environments lack the stability needed for long-term aging. To truly preserve the complex flavors and aromas of your wine, you need to control its environment. Here are four essential tips for storing your wine collection correctly. 1. Maintain a Consistent, Cool Temperature Temperature is the single most critical factor in wine storage. The ideal temperature for aging all types of wine is around 55°F (13°C). More important than the exact temperature, however, is consistency. Rapid temperature fluctuations, like those common in a Northeast Ohio basement or garage, can cause the wine to expand and contract, pushing the cork out and allowing oxygen to seep in, spoiling the bottle. A standard refrigerator is too cold for long-term storage and its motor creates harmful vibrations. 2. Control Humidity and Eliminate Light While temperature gets most of the attention, humidity and light are just as crucial. Humidity: The ideal humidity level is between 60% and 70%. This keeps the corks from drying out, which can lead to shrinkage and oxidation. A home environment is often too dry, especially in the winter. Light: UV light is an enemy of wine, as it can degrade and prematurely age the liquid. This is why wine is bottled in dark glass, but even that isn't enough. Your collection should always be stored in complete darkness. 3. Store Bottles Horizontally There is a classic, practical reason you see wine stored on its side. Storing a bottle horizontally keeps the wine in constant contact with the cork. This ensures the cork remains moist and fully expanded, creating a tight seal that prevents oxygen from entering the bottle and ruining the wine. This simple practice is fundamental for any bottle ...


Norm Kotoch
July 15th, 2025


Is Climate-Controlled Storage Really Necessary in Northeast Ohio?

Climate Control Storage


If you live in Northeast Ohio, you know the weather is anything but predictable. We experience humid, sweltering summers and frigid, icy winters—sometimes all in the same month. When considering a self-storage unit, many people wonder, "Is paying extra for climate control actually worth it?" The answer depends on what you’re storing. For items you wouldn't feel comfortable leaving in a garage or shed for a year, the answer is a resounding yes. A standard storage unit offers protection from rain and snow, but it doesn't shield your belongings from the intense temperature and humidity swings that can cause irreversible damage. Here’s a look at what can happen to your valuables without climate control and why it's an essential investment. The Damage Done by Humidity and Heat Our humid summers create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. This can ruin upholstered furniture, mattresses, clothing, and important documents. High heat can also: Warp and crack wooden furniture, musical instruments, and antiques. Melt or degrade plastics, vinyl records, and electronics. Yellow and damage photographs and important papers. Corrode the delicate internal components of computers and other electronics. The Dangers of Freezing Temperatures Winters in the Solon area bring freezing temperatures that can be just as destructive. The cycle of freezing and thawing can cause: Cracking in wood furniture as moisture inside it expands and contracts. Damage to electronics as screens can crack and batteries can be permanently harmed. Deterioration of leather goods, making them brittle. Ruined artwork, as paint can flake and canvases can shrink. What Items Need Climate Control the Most? As a rule of thumb, if an item is valuable to you—either monetarily or sentimentally—it should be protected in a climate-controlled unit. This is especially true for: Wood, Metal, or Leather Furniture: To prevent warping, cracking, rust, and brittleness. Electronics: Including TVs, computers, stereos, and cameras. Media: Such as vinyl records, DVDs, photos, and film negatives. Artwork and Collectibles: To preserve their condition and value. Important Documents: To protect against mold, mildew, and yellowing. Mattresses and Upholstery: To prevent moisture absorption and mold growth. The Security Self-Storage Solution: Total Protection At Security ...


Norm Kotoch
June 20th, 2025


Rain, Snow, or Shine: The Unbeatable Convenience of Interior Drive-Through Storage

Self Storage Tips


Imagine this: It’s moving day, and the forecast has turned. A steady Ohio rain is falling, or worse, a wet snow is on its way. The last thing you want to do is carry your valuable furniture, electronics, and boxes across a wet, slippery parking lot while trying to shield them from the elements. This is a common source of stress for anyone using traditional self-storage. At Security Self-Storage VII, we believe your experience should be simple and stress-free, regardless of the weather. That’s why we designed our Solon facility with a game-changing feature: interior drive-through access.This isn't just a minor perk; it's a fundamental upgrade to the storage experience. Here are four reasons why this amenity is a must-have. 1. Complete Protection from the Weather In Northeast Ohio, the weather is a constant variable. Our interior drive-through bay allows you to pull your car, van, or moving truck directly inside the building. You can load and unload your belongings in a bright, dry, and comfortable environment, completely sheltered from rain, snow, wind, and harsh sun. Your items stay pristine, and you stay comfortable. 2. Enhanced Security and Privacy Moving your belongings in a public parking lot can leave you feeling exposed. Our interior access bay provides a more private and secure setting. You can take your time organizing your vehicle and sorting items without worrying about prying eyes. This entire process is monitored by our 24/7 DVR surveillance system, adding another layer of security and peace of mind from the moment you arrive on the property. 3. Unmatched Comfort and Ease Hauling heavy items from a distant parking spot is physically demanding. Our drive-through design minimizes the distance and strain. You can park just steps from your unit or the elevator, making the entire process faster and easier on your back. We also provide dollies and handcarts to help you move even the heaviest items with minimal effort. It transforms a potentially grueling task into a smooth, manageable one. 4. A Seamless Transition for Sensitive Items If you're ...


Norm Kotoch
May 20th, 2025


4 Ways Your Business Can Benefit from a Self-Storage Unit

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips A majority of office workers believe that being organized improves performance. However, almost half admit to being unorganized, mainly because many don’t know where to start.  Businesses and employees who don’t know where to start when decluttering their workspace can begin by utilizing a self-storage unit. This can help store extra inventory and supplies, free up office space, and archive important documents.  Below we provide four self-storage solutions that can help businesses declutter and improve productivity. 1. Document Storage Businesses are often required to keep sensitive documents on file. However, this can be a security concern if they aren’t stored appropriately and securely. A self-storage unit can provide a secure and cost-effective way for businesses to archive confidential documents, such as employment and tax records. To reduce clutter onsite and ensure files are stored safely, businesses should consider facilities that offer premium security and climate-controlled units. These features create peace of mind for business owners storing important documents and safeguard files from theft and discoloration: 24/7 video surveillance. Appropriate temperature and humidity settings. Pass-code entry gates. Individual locks and alarms. 2. Restaurant Storage Restaurant owners can better organize and manage their business by storing seasonal equipment, furniture and inventory in self-storage units. Oftentimes, there is not enough space on-site to safely and effectively store their seasonal and current items.   To create a spacious and more comfortable environment for employees and patrons, restaurants should store these items when they are not in use: Dishware. Excess inventory. Janitorial supplies. Kitchen supplies. Non-perishable food items. Patio furniture. Seasonal decorations. Additionally, restaurants can utilize a self-storage unit to preserve their wine collection in a premium wine cellar, which provides safety features, including: 24/7 surveillance. A backup generator in the case of a power outage. Individual alarms. Optimal temperature and humidity levels (56 degrees and between 60% to 70% relative humidity). 3. Short-Term Storage Businesses looking to renovate or relocate can utilize a self-storage unit to temporarily store items during the process. These businesses should also select a storage facility that offers professional moving truck valet services to alleviate stress and improve organization.  Specific needs may vary from business to business, so it’s best to select a facility that offers a variety of unit sizes to ...


Norm Kotoch
March 24th, 2025


3 Ways to Preserve Artwork in a Self-Storage Unit

Specialty Storage


Specialty Storage Whether you’re a gallery owner with rooms of pieces to show or a casual collector, proper art preservation is key to keeping works on hand for years to come. As you switch out gallery pieces, or give your décor a new and different look, seek a storage solution for items that aren’t currently needed.  Below, we highlight a few ways to prevent damage, and ensure your art collection’s ability to retain or gain value over time. 1. Keep It Packaged and Protected Similar to almost anything else you want to store, first assess the piece’s current state of cleanliness and give it a dust. Ensure it’s completely free of debris, which can only worsen in state or cause unintended residue over time. Next, think about how your artwork was packaged when you brought it home or when it was delivered to your gallery. This will help determine how to best package your art for storage. Additionally, protect edges with cardboard, and consider an investment in acid-free paper to place on both sides of the art piece. Acid-free paper’s make up is built to protect important documents and artwork during long-term storage. Layer front and back with one sheet of acid-free paper and a few layers of cardboard to prevent direct damage or bending, before placing into a cardboard box. 2. Select Climate-Controlled Art requires specific temperature and humidity levels to maintain proper preservation. This will often be around 50% humidity and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but may vary based on the material type and specific needs of your piece. Make a list of the various elements and materials that make up your artwork prior to selection of a storage unit. Discuss with the facility manager what your best option for storage will be based on this list. 3. Store It Upright and Give it Room Once the item is safely secured to store, you’ve selected an appropriate self-storage solution and transported the item from its former home to its long-term residence, you will need to pay attention to its placement among other items in your unit. While storing your artwork with other items is ...


Norm Kotoch
March 24th, 2025


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