West End Mini-Storage

I think it’s important to find reviews for storage units. Unfortunately I didn’t get to read any reviews before using this unit for a year. However, I’m also smart about how to pack things in a storage unit and want to share the first review to give advice.
The manager is easy to work with, returns your calls in a timely manner, pleasant in person and on phone, and offers good rates.
When using storage units, you have to consider the elements of weather, especially of northwest Illinois. (The winter of 2014 was a bad one). Therefore, using it for one year and experiencing every season of the Midwest, I expected dust and spider webs and I did fear the possibility of moisture and/​or mice. The unit that I received was recently put up, so the manager’s existing units may not have had any water leakage. Therefore, he told me that he has had no problem with water in the past.
However, I did have water leakage in my unit and had some things grow mold. The mold was surface mold and I was able to catch it in time to disinfectant it on things that were of value to me. I strategically placed things where I thought damage could occur (I assumed the corners may be the worst spot — and I was correct) and the items that had the most mold were mainly for propping up my important things (old wood shoe racks). Therefore, to me, I had no property loss!
Upon notifying the manager after moving my things out, he was apologetic. Being one of the first to use these units, he may not have known that the units would leak so perhaps he can fix this for the future.
I am judging both on the manager who was good to work with, but you need to expect that you MAY get some damage… unless you follow my advice below.
Tips:
1. Put everything in those giant plastic storage boxes with good lids! It is worth the investment. Try not to use cardboard boxes. However if you must use boxes, line them first with garbage bags and seal your items inside and make sure that they are on top of things and not on the floor of the unit. If they get wet, at least it is just the boxes.
2. Get a bunch of tarps. If you are storing a couch, but the tarp on ground first and place couch on top, then wrap it up. Wrap any mattresses tightly before even bringing it into the unit, like a present. Keep them very high in the unit! Try not to keep things that you definitely don’t want wet near the corners of the unit.
3. Place dryer sheets freely. I’ve heard it keeps away mice. I didn’t have any but I also didn’t store food items, which no one should do anyway. So perhaps it worked or I wasn’t going to get mice anyway.
4. Place a final tarp on top of everything at end. Prevents a lot of the dust.
5. Check often if you can… in case there is moisture, maybe you can save the items soon.
Overall:
Good manager
Size of units good
Expect a few critters such as spiders and moths… but I had no mice!
You need to be the smart and proactive one — prepare and plan well
I would recommend storing no longer than a year… mold would have spread more if I didn’t empty it in time.