Tag: alexandria car storage

5 Signs It’s Time to De-Clutter Your Home

Posted on March 14, 2015 by - Lifestyle, Storage

is it time to declutter?

Photo Credit: raining rita

You home should be a place of relaxation and enjoyment. A place where you can unwind after a long and hard work day. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for a lot of us. Luckily there are a few signs that will help you figure out when it’s time to start the decluttering process.

The decluttering process may feel a little overwhelming, however, when you think of how your home is going to make you feel once the process is finished it will be well worth it.

1. Your Garage Is A Storage Unit

Your garage should be a place to store your vehicles, or perhaps a small workshop. But often it takes the form of a storage unit. If you can’t even begin to think about parking your cars inside your garage then it might be time to start decluttering.

If you’re too embarrassed to open your garage door, because of the mess that lies inside, then you can definitely benefit from thinking about what items you really need to keep.

2. You Can Never Find What You’re Looking For

If you find yourself constantly looking for items, only to give up in frustration after not being able to find them, then you might need to declutter. If all the surfaces of your home contain trinkets, and other odds and ends it’s easy for your keys to fall into a trap between these strange items.

Wouldn’t it be great to finally have a dedicated place for the things you love? By decluttering you’ll start to free up a lot of space for the things that actually matter.

3. Cleaning Never Seems To Quite Be Enough

Sometimes after cleaning your home you still feel like you’re living in chaos. You’ve vacuumed, wiped the counters down, swept and dusted, but you still don’t feel clean.

When every part of your home is packed to the brim with items your home will just feel chaotic, no matter how much you vacuum. Why don’t you consider donating a few of the items you don’t use anymore? Or, you could even rent an Alexandria self-storage unit to store those goods you’re not ready to part with.

4. You Can’t Close Your Cabinets Or Closets

If your kitchen cabinet or closet doors remain open, even after you’ve slammed them shut, then you may have too many clothes or kitchen accessories. As much as we hate to admit it, it is possible to have too many pairs of jeans.

If closing your cabinets is a struggle, then maybe it’s time to bring a box full of your old dishes to the local thrift store.

5. Your Children Have More Toys Than Space To Play

It can be easy to accumulate toys for your children. After all of the gifts from their birthdays and the holidays it can be easy to have a playroom that looks more like a toy store. Although it may be hard to get your children to part with their precious toys, you’d be amazed by how much they love the added play space.

If any of the above feel true to you, then it might be time to consider decluttering your home. Remember, just start small. A corner of the room at a time will be enough. After a while, you’ll end up with a relaxing home you can feel proud of again.

I hope you’ve found this post useful. If you can’t part with some of the goods from your home why don’t you consider an Alexandria Storage unit. We’ll keep your goods safe out of sight and out of mind. We love serving our clients and customers across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

How Gateway Storage Can Help Ease Your Transition Into Fall

Posted on September 7, 2014 by - Lifestyle, Parking, Storage

storage can ease your transition into fall

Photo Credit: Micky**

With the change in seasons comes a change in storage needs. With the shift into fall the time comes to put away your summer goods and begin preparation for winter. Often, the changing weather can sometimes force us to make storage upgrades or changes sooner than we’d like.

In this article we’re going to look at how Gateway Storage can help you with the seasonal changes that take place in your life, and the associated Alexandria storage needs that are bundled with.

1. Seasonal Weather Changes

The shift into fall is usually marked with changes in the weather. Usually, they’re more subtle, like, feeling a drop in temperature or witnessing the changing of the leaves. There is a certain sense of beauty that fall brings, but it also often brings a new sense of responsibility.

For most of us, fall means it’s time to get back to work, and put away the summer fun. It usually means the kids are going back to school, and it’s time for all of us to get our lives back on track.

A lot of these things happen naturally, but the last thing you want to happen is to get left out in the cold with your summer goods. If you don’t take the time to properly store your summer goods, they could either end up getting ruined, or cause a whole bunch of unneeded stress once winter comes along.

Gateway storage can help solve any storage problem that might arise. We offer creative Alexandria storage solutions that can help you find a temporary home for your summer goods. Make sure you invest in extra storage before the weather turns, your stress-free future self will thank you.

2. Shifting Business Needs

You may operate a type of business that has an increased workload during the summer months, but you need added storage once the summer comes to a close. If your businesses utilizes a lot of extra equipment, but doesn’t have the space to store all of your equipment onsite, then consider using our flexible storage lots.

We offer storage lots that can be used to safely and easily store your business goods for the fall and winter months. As an added bonus our storage facility is located right off I-95, so if you did need to access any of your goods or equipment at the last minute, you could easily do that.

3. Summer Vehicle Storage

You may be the type of person who has a car or two they use primarily for summer driving. Your car may not be able to withstand any of the fall and winter weather, so you prefer to put this vehicle into storage, so it stays in good condition.

We offer a wide array of Alexandria car storage and parking options to cater to your diverse needs. We’d recommend to put your car in storage as soon as possible, as you never know when the weather is going to shift. It’s better to avoid the rush and stress and utilize our flexible storage options the moment you have your first inkling it’s not quite summer anymore.

We hope this has been helpful and pushed you towards considering your storage options now that fall is upon us, get in touch today! We love serving our clients across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

Summer Storage Woes? Consider Gateway Storage

Posted on July 22, 2014 by - Storage

summer storage options
summer storage options

Photo Credit: kevin dooley

Sometimes you may need a little bit of extra storage during the summer months. You may have postponed your Spring clean until now and don’t know what to do with your extra stuff. Or, you may have a business that needs more storage space once the weather starts to heat up. Or, you could be looking for a place to store your winter gear and equipment.

Regardless of your reason we love to help our Northern Virginia customers find the Alexandria self storage solution that’s best for them during the hot summer months.

Need Extra Storage Space?

So, you just decided to do some much needed cleaning around your home and have found yourself with a bunch of extra “stuff”. Of course, you don’t want to throw it out. But, what other options do you have?

At Gateway Storage we offer a slew of flexible Alexandria self storage options to suit your unique needs. If you have extra goods you need to store for the summer months we have flexible lease terms.

Maybe, you have certain goods that need to be kept out of direct sunlight, but you don’t have any room inside your home or garage. This is where we come in. Our easy access, right off I-95 makes it easy to drop off your goods and continue about your day.

We have combination spaces that make it easy to keep your goods out of direct sunlight. If you need to store your jet-skis and the rest of your winter gear we have you covered.

Flexible Storage Options Are Available

Another situation we cater to frequently is shifting inventory and work load for local Virginia service businesses. For instance, your construction company may have extra equipment to store during the summer months. To cater to this need we offer flexible spaces that can increase or decrease based upon your needs at this exact moment.

No longer do you have to worry if your storage needs shift when the temperature starts to rise. The good news is that you aren’t alone. We serve a wide range of service-based companies. For example, cleaning companies, contractors, electricians, moving companies and much more use our flexible Alexandria storage options every summer.

We serve the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield areas, as well as most of Northern Virginia. If the summer months cause you to need extra storage space then get in touch with Gateway Storage today.

5 Unique Features Of Gateway Storage

Posted on June 20, 2014 by - Parking, Storage

storage containerGateway Storage is a unique storage company that offers services most other storage company’s don’t. Some northern Virginia storage companies simply offer self-storage, or car storage and nothing else. In fact, most other storage companies don’t even take the time to craft individual storage solutions.

At Gateway Storage we believe every customer in the Alexandria area has unique storage needs, and we want to cater to each and every individual. In this article, we’re going to highlight a few features of our business you may not know about.

1. We offer flexible parking solutions

Some Northern Virginia storage facilities only offer you a single way to store your vehicles at their facilities. We believe you should have a multitude of options to choose from. For instance, we offer short-term (when available), month-to-month, or long-term storage solutions for our Alexandria car storage customers.

2. Our gates are equipped with access tracking

If you use our storage services to store your vehicles for your contractor company or small business you may want to track when your vehicles have left the facility. Especially, if you’re managing a team who has to visit the facility every single day.

Upon request, we can prepare a report regarding your company’s access.

3. We can store almost anything!

We go above and beyond the services of regular storage companies. Sometimes you may need to store an usual piece of equipment or a car without tags. Or you need an unusually large amount of storage space.

We can help you do all this and more. We offer container storage solutions and equipment storage. We offer our Alexandria logistics services on a case by case basis, so you’re guaranteed to get a unique solution to your self storage needs.

4. We offer lower rates than the rest

Some companies try to charge you as much as possible. Preying on you in your time of need. We believe in providing you with an affordable alternative. That being said, we do have limited storage container spaces, so if you are in need of an inexpensive storage alternative get in touch as soon as possible.

5. Store everything in one place

Only pay for what you use. Sometimes you may need to store your goods in a variety of different ways. For instance, you may need to store vehicles, sailboats and other goods all in one location.

We offer creative and flexible storage options, so you don’t need more than one place to store all of your goods.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful and have a better understanding of how Gateway Storage can serve you in capacities way beyond simple storage. If you’re looking for a unique storage solution all across Northern Virginia or within in the Alexandria, Woodbridge or Springfield counties, then look no further than Gateway Storage. Get in touch today for a free consultation.

5 Reasons To Use Gateway Storage You May have Overlooked

Posted on June 1, 2014 by - Parking, Storage

Alexandria storage overlook

Photo Credit: sittered

There are many beneficial reasons to use storage. However, a storage company is a lot more than empty rooms to store your goods. We offer creative means to solve a ton of your problems. For instance, are you trying to transport goods across the country? We offer logistics services to help manage the shipping and storage of your goods from coast to coast.

This is just one facet of our business that goes well beyond typical storage means. Keep reading to find out more unique ways that Gateway Storage can enhance your life.

1. We Offer Container Storage Options

As we mentioned above storing a lot of goods can be hassle. You not only have to keep track of everything, but you have to figure out how you’re going to get your goods to where you want them to go in a timely manner. We offer a dedicated container loading space for loading and unloading the goods from your internationally shipped port container. Then, our containers are only a minimum rental of one full calendar month.

2. We Take Care Of Your Boats

If you have a boat then you’ll want to check out our storage options. We know how difficult it can be to find a place for your boat, especially within the Alexandria areas where parking restrictions can be very tight.

We offer a wide range of boat storage options to ensure your boat remains safe. Electric spaces available!

3. We Help Small Businesses

If you’re a small business owner then we don’t have to go into just how much work you have on your plate. Our unique blend of Alexandria storage solutions, warehousing, parking and logistical services can greatly impact your bottom line. We’ve worked with wedding planners, mobile vehicle detailers, construction companies, and much more.

We’re very familiar with the common struggles you’ll face as a small business owner and we’re dedicated to serving you in the best way possible.

4. We Provide Combination Spaces

Some storage companies just offer container storage, or outdoor spaces. We’re unique in that we can custom tailor creative Alexandria storage solutions. If you need to have fenced outdoor storage coupled with a container you can use to keep your goods dry, we can do this. By being flexible we believe we can better serve our clients needs.

If you’re in need of a flexible storage solution, get in touch with Gateway Storage today.

5. Our Location Beats The Competition

A lot of storage companies have locations that make them more of hassle to use than anything else. We believe that for a storage company to be effective you should be able to access your goods whenever you need them. Our easy storage center location, right off of I-95 makes picking up and dropping off your goods a breeze.

If you’re looking for a flexible storage solution for your boat, car, goods, or business supplies then get in touch with Gateway Storage today. We serve customers all across the Woodbridge, Alexandria, and Springfield areas, as well as all of Northern Virginia.

Why Location Matters When Choosing A Storage Company

Posted on April 5, 2014 by - Storage

 

Location matters

Photo Credit: Nathan O’Nions

Trying to find the right storage company for your unique business needs can be tough. Packing aside, there are all sorts of logistical details that need to be sorted out in order for you to have a smooth transition into storage.

In this article we’re going to take a look at a few of the most common, yet overlooked, reasons that you need to take the location of your storage center into account.

1. Last Minute Moving

Anytime you’re transporting goods, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing everything in your power to make this process as simple as possible. For instance, what if you had to drop goods off at your storage container at the end of a hard working day. The last thing you’d want is to have to go out of your way and spend needless time driving.

If you ever need to access your goods in a hurry you’ll want your storage container to be as close as possible. This may even mean considering one of our Alexandria car storage options.

2. Being Able To Access Your Goods

Sometimes storage companies are located on the outskirts of town. This makes it difficult to drop off goods. Or, even access your stored goods and vehicles on a daily basis.

If you’re planning on using the storage facility to store your truck or other equipment for work, then you’ll definitely want to consider the location of the facility in relation to your place of business.

Face it, time is money. When you’re spending massive amounts of time moving goods back and forth to your storage unit, then you’re losing money.

At Gateway storage we do everything we can to cater to your Alexandria commercial storage needs. Our accessible location, right off I-95 makes it easy to access your business equipment all day long.

3. Location Beats Price

Some people decide how they’re going to store their goods based upon the monthly costs of Alexandria car storage. This is the wrong way to go about it. Sure, price matters. However, the location is even more important.

Who knows, the amount of money you’ll pay in gas just driving to another facility might equate the overall cost. The best thing about working with Gateway Storage, is that we offer flexible options depending on your needs. So, if price is your determining factor, it’s important to discuss it with us first.

We serve residents and military personnel across the Woodbridge, Alexandria, and Springfield area, as well as all of Northern Virginia. Get in touch with Gateway Storage today to discuss your options for commercial and care storage.

3 Reasons Your Car Might Not Be As Safe As You Think

Posted on March 28, 2014 by - Parking, Storage

Photo Credit: alicegop

Photo Credit: alicegop

You may think that your car is safe when you park it on the street. Most times it will be, however, all is takes is one time and your safety is compromised. Whether you’re parking on the street, or in your driveway there are still concerns you may not have thought of.

In this article we’re going to cover three of the biggest dangers you’ll face from parking your car in the street or in your driveway, and lastly what you can do to increase your safety by utilizing car storage.

Remember, the safety of your car is entirely in your hands. It’s up to you how you decide to store your vehicles.

1. Increased danger of theft

When you park your car along the street there’s an increased chance of theft. Either of your car, or objects you’re storing in your car. Even if you live in a relatively safe neighborhood, there’s still the chance of burglars coming into your neighborhood during the nighttime hours.

If your car is in your garage it’s usually much safer. However, if you have more than one car and you have to park it in the street you’re increasing your chance of risk.

2. Parking tickets and violations

Parking tickets are very prevalent in the Alexandria area. Of course, you can do whatever you can to avoid them, but the regulations are very strict. With the sheer amount of tickets the police department writes every year, you would think that people would learn the regulations by now. However, this isn’t always the case.

If you have several cars you know the difficulties of trying to park your cars in a legal manner. Over time, paying tickets can get very expensive.

3. Exposure to the elements

Parking a car outside also brings other dangers with it. For example, if you park your car underneath a tree and a branch happens to break and fall on your vehicle, then you’ll have to deal with the damages to your car, as well as the handle the insurance companies.

The outside environment also includes other cars. If you park your precious vehicle on the street there’s also an increased chance of being hit by another car.

All of these damages could have been avoided, if only there was another way.

What Can You Do To Avoid These?

If you’d rather pass on having to go through theft, damage and parking tickets there is another option at your disposal. Invest in personal Alexandria car storage. Although this option may seem like a hassle, we’ve have a streamlined storage process that is completely customizable to your needs.

We offer Alexandria car storage and short term and long term parking. Our facilities are secured 24/7 and you get a personal pin for easy access. We serve residents and military personnel across the Woodbridge, Alexandria, and Springfield area, as well as all of Northern Virginia. Get in touch with Gateway Storage today.

How To Prepare Your Classic Car For Storage

Posted on February 28, 2014 by - Storage

When you’re preparing your car for storage there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. The last thing you want to occur is have to spend a serious amount of time getting your car ready for driving, once you’ve decided to remove it from storage.

By spending a little time up front you’ll save yourself a ton of worry and hassle in the future. In this article we’re going to cover a few steps you can take to make sure you protect your classic car, before you take your car to an Alexandria car storage facility.

Getting a classic car ready for storage is a different process than any of your other vehicles. It’s important to take extra time and care with your vehicle to ensure it’s safety, no matter the time of year.

Ensure Your Tank Is Full

One of the biggest obstacles you’ll face when trying to protect your classic car is moisture. By keeping your gas tank full you’ll minimize the chances of moisture occurring in the gas tank or the or fuel lines. If the rule level drops, it presents a better condition for moisture to form, which can lead to corrosion.

Another good reason to top off your fuel tank, is due to sediment that may form at the bottom of the tank. If you run your car at too low of a fuel level there’s a good chance that sediment will get dragged through the engine.

Use Fresh Gasoline

Modern gasoline doesn’t compare to the gasoline that cars ran on when your classic car was built. As a result you’ll want to ensure you fill up your car with the highest octane fuel available. Since the structure of gasoline actually changes after 60 days you’ll want to ensure you add a fuel stabilizer to your tank, such as Sta-Bil. This will help your gasoline to stay in the same composition over extended periods of time.

Change Out The Fluids

If you don’t change out the oils and fluids in your car on a regular basis, it can cause excessive wear and tear on your engine. Before you bring your car to storage make sure you take a nice warm up run, drain out the old oil and pour in new lube. This can also be a good time to change the oil filter, if you car has one.

Do A Thorough Cleaning

By taking the time to wash your car on a regular basis you’ll keep it in pristine condition for years. When you’re cleaning your car for storage, take the time as if you were getting it ready for a big car show. Make sure you get every nook and cranny on the inside of your car. After you’ve washed the outside of the car it can be a good idea to apply a coat of wax to protect your car from dust and other objects. You may even want to throw a few silica packets onto the floor of your car to soak up any extra moisture.

Lube Up The Joints

It can also be smart to lube up all the locks, latches and hinges you car has, to prevent them from locking up when it’s in Alexandria car storage. You can even use a little bit of grease to coat the weatherstripping and any other seals on your vehicle.

Use Plastic Sheeting

It’s a good idea to place a plastic sheet below your car to prevent any dampness or moisture from rising up into the bottom of the car. Also, to ensure extra moisture protection make sure you fill the tailpipes with steel wool, just remember to take it out before you drive your car!

Jack Up The Vehicle

It’s a good idea to jack up your car to ensure you’re taking the load off the tires and suspension. You can use a trolley jack to hold up your vehicle. It can also be wise to place wooden blocks under the suspension, so it isn’t fully extended the entire time you’re in storage. You’ll also want to make sure the car is in neutral, and the parking brake is disengaged, so nothing locks up.

Use A High Quality Car Cover

A quality car cover can go a long way. Make sure you invest in a breathable cover that will allow moisture to escape and prevent any extra dust from settling on your vehicle. If you can find a cover that’s designed to fit the body of your car, it will protect it even better.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful and have a better idea of the steps you need to take if you want to maintain your classic car, even when it’s in Alexandria car storage.

If you’re still looking for a place to store your classic car, then get in touch with Gateway Storage, we serve the Woodbridge, Alexandria, Springfield and all across Northern Virginia.

Let’s discuss your situation, get in touch today!

Why Your Service Company Needs To Use Storage

Posted on February 28, 2014 by - Parking, Storage

If you’re any kind of service company that has a fleet of vehicles or other equipment, then you know how hard it can be to manage and maintain your entire fleet, especially with local parking restrictions. If your place of business doesn’t have enough space to park your vehicles, where are you going to turn?

In this article we’ll show how using storage centers might just be your best option. At Gateway Storage we’re here to serve you. Just a short drive off I95, and you’ll be at our storage facility, which makes it very accessible even during the work week.

How will using storage help my business?

As a contractor or business owner with a fleet of vehicles you’ve experienced firsthand the difficulties of managing your vehicles or equipment. Especially, in Springfield and the surrounding areas, where parking restrictions can be a nightmare. By utilizing storage for your business you can reduce the amount of time you spend worrying and increase the time you spend running your business.

Local Parking Restrictions

Parking restrictions in Springfield and the surrounding areas make parking anything more than a single vehicle very difficult. If your place of business doesn’t allow for parking of service vehicles, then you might be out of luck and risk paying hefty fines time and time again.

We offer contractor yards that can grow in size depending upon how many vehicles are in your fleet. You’ll have 24/7 access to your Springfield car storage yard so you can access your vehicles and equipment if any emergencies arise.

By taking the time to invest in storage you may actually end up saving yourself money, by avoiding the countless parking tickets and fines.

Protecting Your Assets

Aside from parking tickets you may be concerned about the safety of your vehicles and equipment. If you’re simply parking your vehicles on the street there’s an increased chance of break-in or having your vehicles damaged. You may even be afraid to take a break from work, if you don’t feel safe leaving your fleet unguarded.

Investing in Springfield car storage can take care of this problem for you. By parking your fleet in our safe storage facilities you can ensure everything will be safe and protected. You’ll be able to access any equipment you need at a moments notice, while keeping your business assets safe.

I hope this article has been valuable and you have a better idea of how using storage can benefit your service company.

We serve our residents and military personnel from Woodbridge, Alexandria, Springfield and all across Northern Virginia. Give us a call today at (703) 339-0009, so we can talk about your needs!

5 Ways to Tell If Car Storage Is Right For You

Posted on January 30, 2014 by - Parking, Storage

You may be thinking that  car storage is a waste of time, is too much work, or you might not even know what car storage is! If you’ve been thinking about car storage for while now and are afraid to take the plunge, take a look at our five top reasons below and see if any of them hit home.

1. You have several “junk” cars

You may love the idea of spending your weekends fixing up your “junk” cars, however in reality your projects have been untouched for months, if not years.

Depending on your county you may have even received a ticket for having a “junk” car. After all you may perceive your car as an antique, while another person may see it as a pile of junk.

After all, if you do feel inspired to fix up your car once and for all, you can always take it out of storage. In the meantime you’ll know it’s safe and avoid further citations.

2. You are always getting parking tickets for your fleet of vehicles

If you own more than one car then you know how hard parking can actually be. It’s a careful art to park all your vehicles, legally, so you don’t receive a fine or ticket.

Granted, you may have some cars that simply don’t work, or don’t have enough space outside your home to park all your vehicles. Most likely, you probably only drive one or two vehicles on a regular basis anyways.

Save yourself the hassle of constantly finding parking and take a car or two to storage. That way you’ll be able to breathe easy and know you’re never going to get cited for parking illegally again.

3. You are constantly stressing about whether or not your cars are safe

If you have multiple cars, then you may spend your nights worrying if all your vehicles are safe or not when they’re parked outside your home. If you can’t fit your vehicles into your garage then there’s a good chance you’re going to have to park on the street. Depending where you live, this might not be the most comfortable option for you.

Do yourself a favor and store your vehicles in a safe Northern Virginia car parking facility, you’ll save yourself several sleepless nights.

4. You own a commercial vehicle

Frankly, if you own a commercial vehicle for work purposes, you’re going to have trouble parking it anywhere. You may have a few commercial vehicles for seasonal work and are looking for an easy place to store them during the “off-season”.

Most people don’t know, but Alexandria car storage facilities can store commercial vehicles, just as they would any other vehicle.

5. You don’t have room for all your vehicles

Sometimes you just have too many vehicles, whether they’re “junk” cars, show cars, or inoperable vehicles, you just need more space. You don’t want to park them on the street and you certainly don’t want to sell them.

The easiest option for you to consider would be Gateway Storage Center’s car parking. You get to keep all your vehicles, and still have access to them whenever you’d like.

If any of the above reasons resonated with you, then do yourself a favor and look into Springfield car parking today.

We serve residents and military personnel from Woodbridge, Alexandria, Springfield and all across Northern Virginia. Let’s discuss your situation–give us a call today!