It does not matter whether you are an enthusiastic DIYer or a busy tradesperson, you can never have enough tools. Over time, however, quite a few tools and pieces of equipment can accumulate, and the space in the house or workshop runs out. When, in the end, you cannot even find a hammer or screwdriver anymore because the number of tools has become so large and confusing, most people start looking for a new storage option.
Self storage can offer exactly this solution for a proper tool storage setup.
The most common reasons why trades businesses and households turn to self storage and Full Service Storage for storing tools include:
- Seasonal conditions where tools are only needed for a certain time, including renovations, gardening work, or winter breaks in construction.
- The need for more space, whether for living or working.
- Business expansion or downsizing.
- Project related work.
- Specialised jobs that require only a certain selection of tools.
By storing tools in self storage, you not only create more space at home, at work, or in the van or delivery vehicle, but you also additionally protect the tools from rust, wear, or other damage in damp, already overcrowded garages, sheds, or garden huts.
Tools are not cheap, and anyone who stores their expensive belongings elsewhere wants to feel confident that they are stored there under the right conditions and with proper security. Below, we show you how proper tool storage works.
What storage space do you need for your tool storage?
Before you start looking for suitable self storage or Full Service Storage for your tools, you need to find out how much space you actually need.
When calculating this, you should consider how you want to store your tools. The most common methods are:
- Tool boxes and tool cases
- Tool cabinets and rolling cabinets or rolling shelving
- Pegboard systems
- Open front bins and plastic boxes
Storing your tools gives you the opportunity to declutter your tools and sort them sensibly. Remove everything that is damaged or unusable before you stow the tools in individual boxes, containers, or tool bags. Create an inventory list and make sure that the arrangement makes sense for you and your employees so that you can also find everything again quickly in the future.
When calculating the required storage space, you should consider not only the square meter size of your storage unit, but also the total volume. If you pack your tools smartly, you can stack the individual boxes on top of each other and make optimal use of the height of your storage unit.
Also note that, if you store your tools for the long term, you should leave space in the individual tool boxes and tool boxes for additional purchases, so that you can keep restocking.
With thorough planning and efficient packing skills, you will soon realise how much you can actually store in a comparatively small amount of space.
Once you have arranged your inventory in the storage containers in an organised and competent way, you only need to measure them to determine the required storage space.
When storing in self storage, you should consider setting up a storage system that guarantees you access to your tools at any time when needed and enables straightforward storage management. Also make sure that pallet jacks or hand trucks are available to you when you arrive at the storage facility, and that ramps as well as spacious elevators are available.
If you opt for Full Service Storage, transport and proper storage are taken off your hands. With this form of storage, qualified self storage staff collect your tools from a location you specify in order to transport them to the storage facility and store them there professionally.
How do you store tools correctly to avoid rust and damage?
As most tool owners know, rust is the biggest enemy of all tools. Rust occurs when metal, oxygen, and moisture collide. In most cases, rust forms on tools when they are stored in damp rooms or when they are often used outdoors in wet weather. Tools without a coating are particularly at risk.
Rusty tools not only affect the quality and precision of your work, but can also become dangerous. The rust on your tools not only looks unattractive (and unprofessional), it also weakens the metal and can, in some cases, cause it to break. As an employer, you are even obliged to keep the tools in your business rust free.
That is why you should make sure to always store your equipment properly. Even before storing the tools, make sure that only dry and clean tools are packed into the storage boxes.
What level of humidity must be maintained when storing tools?
As mentioned above, moisture can severely impair your tools. Not only does frequent use in wet conditions play a role, but also the indoor climate when storing your tools. High humidity at your storage location can quickly cause your tools to rust during storage.
Humidity is measured in RH (Relative Humidity: relative humidity), where the percentage indicates how much water vapour is in the air. Living spaces and workplaces should generally not exceed 60 percent RH. Room temperature plays a major role here. The higher the temperature, the higher the humidity.
To avoid rust on your tools, RH during storage should not exceed 50 percent. You can implement several safety measures that can significantly reduce the impact of humidity on your tools during storage:
- Never store your tools in damp basements, garages, or sheds.
- Do not place your tools on a bare floor during storage, as the coldness of the floor increases the moisture content of the air.
- Use sealed tool cases and tool cabinets that reduce the ingress of air and moisture.
- Place sachets of silica gel in your tool box to absorb moisture.
- Clean your tools thoroughly, because sand and other dirt residues can absorb moisture.
- Oil or wax metal blades and cutting edges before storage so that moisture cannot settle on them.
- Place containers with dehumidifier granules in the rooms where you store your tools. You can also invest in an electric dehumidifier.
- Ensure slight air circulation by, for example, regularly opening the windows of your tool storage area or setting up a fan.
- Get a hygrometer so you can continuously monitor humidity.
- Install a climate control system with automatic humidity regulation to ensure a constant temperature and humidity.
- Insulate your storage room to keep temperature fluctuations, and thus the risk of high humidity, to a minimum.
Which type of humidity measures you can take depends on your budget. A pack of dehumidifier granules usually costs around 25 euros, while the cost of an electric dehumidifier is about 100 euros. However, both must be checked regularly and refilled or maintained to ensure proper removal of humidity. The price for a decent air conditioner with humidity control usually starts at 1 000 euros, not including installation.
If the costs and effort seem too high to you, you should consider self storage for storing your tools. Professional self storage and Full Service providers have already optimised the climate conditions in their premises for items for everyday use, including tools. The rent for a storage unit, even over a longer period of time, is comparatively low compared to what you face if you want to set up your own proper storage facility.
How is the best way to store power tools with batteries?
Hardly any household can do without a drill these days. Enthusiastic DIYers and trades businesses, however, have far larger collections of different, in some cases very valuable, power tools, all of which require proper storage.
Power tools are usually equipped with lithium ion batteries (Li ion) to enable cordless use. These batteries are particularly susceptible to temperature fluctuations and humidity.
If Li ion batteries are exposed to too much moisture in the air during storage, this not only reduces their lifespan, but also the safe use of the entire power tool.
Like conventional hand tools, batteries rust, which can lead to leaks and short circuits during work. That is why most manufacturers already warn about moisture in the user manual. With improper storage of your power tools, you can even lose your warranty and insurance cover.
When you store your power tools, you should therefore observe the following for safety:
- Power tools should ideally be stored in their original packaging.
- Clean your power tools thoroughly before storage. Also make sure that they are completely dry before you stow them away.
- Never fully discharge your batteries before storage, but keep a charge level of 30 to 60 percent to protect the chemical components of the battery during longer periods of non use.
- Remove the batteries from your tools and the charger before storage.
- Make sure that your charger is not plugged in during storage, and secure the plug.
- Never store your batteries near easily flammable materials and substances.
- The optimal storage temperature for power tools is between 10°C and 20°C.
- Humidity during storage should be below 50 percent.
- Make sure that your storage location is well ventilated.
- If you store them for several months, you should also regularly inspect your power tools and, for example, refresh the battery charge level. To simplify the management of your storage, you should create an inspection log where you record the date of the inspection and the measures carried out.
How are security and compliance handled in your tool storage?
Besides protection from environmental influences, you must also ensure that your power tools and hand tools are protected from break ins, theft, and vandalism. According to the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), the number of residential and business break ins rises year by year, and thefts are also increasing in Germany, with a very low clearance rate.
Insurance companies therefore place special requirements on the storage of valuable tools.
To secure your tools against theft and vandalism, you should take one or more of the following measures:
- Get an alarm system.
- Install video surveillance for the workshop or storage room.
- Keep the outside area of the storage facility well lit overnight as well.
- Use motion detectors on the property to detect unwanted visitors early.
- Protect your tools with sturdy steel security doors and gates.
- Install smart locks in your windows and doors that can only be opened via an app, a fingerprint, or a PIN.
You must also take into account the legal guidelines for video surveillance and data protection. If the effort seems too high to you, but you still want to protect your tools from thieves and burglars, self storage is the best solution.
Reputable self storage providers already have the above security precautions in place and have optimised the entire area for theft protection. In addition, self storage operators usually keep proper logs as part of storage management that precisely register and record any access and the removal of items from the storage area.
Therefore, even before signing the contract, pay attention to which security measures the storage facility offers for your tools.
Where should you store your tools for quick access?
Tools, especially power tools, are expensive and should therefore be stored properly to avoid damage and theft. However, proper storage at home or at the workplace can be expensive for you.
Security precautions, air conditioning, and other measures have their price. In addition, there are installation costs and the feeling that you constantly have to check things to meet all requirements.
Many DIYers and trades businesses therefore choose a tool storage facility outside their own four walls. Self storage and Full Service Storage offer the optimal storage options here.
When deciding where to store your tools, you must consider several points:
- How flexible is access to your tools? Do you have access at any time, or do you depend on opening hours?
- How close is your self storage provider to your location? Do you have to take traffic conditions, travel costs, and travel time into account every time you need a tool?
- How secure is your storage space? Is video surveillance available?
- Are your tools sufficiently insured during storage?
- Are optimal climate conditions ensured for your tools during storage?
It can prove more difficult than expected to reconcile all these conditions for optimal storage. That is why, in many cases, Full Service Storage is the best solution, especially if you want to save yourself the annoying trip to the tool storage facility.
Full Service Storage offers a pickup, return delivery, and storage service where the provider is responsible not only for storage but also for transport of your tools. You can also request a partial return delivery at a low price, which saves you not only money and time, but also nerves. Return deliveries of tools can usually be carried out within 24 hours after the request.
BOXIE24 is currently the only self storage provider in Germany that delivers this complete service to customers. Contact our professionally trained and helpful customer service team for a non binding conversation about the needs of your tool storage.
