Moving is a stressful process. Packing boxes with your items, loading into a moving truck, and…
This guest post is from Angela Pearse, a blogger for Zumper who frequently combines travel with freelance writing. She’s passionate about Art Deco hotels, historical novels, Netflix, hiking and healthy living.
Moving is hard at the best of times. But, add moving in bad weather into the mix and you have a whole new host of problems to deal with.
When bad weather strikes, you usually just have to deal with it – you may not have the luxury of being able to delay the move and wait for a fine day. You may need to be out of your old house or apartment by a certain date, and often rescheduling will mean losing the deposit you paid your moving company.
8 Tips for Moving in Rainy Weather
Here are eight moving tips that will help you cope successfully with moving in bad weather.
1. Wear the right clothes
Dress for the weather you’re expecting, you don’t want to get ill just because you’re not prepared with the right clothes. If it’s cold, make sure you have a jacket, hat, gloves, and boots on hand to put on when you need to exit the house. If it’s raining, have rain boots and a waterproof jacket with a hood for covering your head if you’re helping to load items into the truck.
2. Use garbage bags
A useful piece of advice for bad weather moving is to have plastic garbage bags available. These offer an additional layer of protection and have multiple uses. Put garbage bags over a stack of clothes on a hanger, or place paper items and books into bags, then into boxes or a clear container.
Garbage bags can also protect soft furnishings like pillows, cushions, and bedding from getting wet. Have a bunch on hand in case you have any last-minute items to load up or use them after your move for collecting wet paper towels, rags, or old bathroom towels.
3. Wrap everything carefully
Moving in bad weather means paying extra attention to wrapping your belongings so they don’t get waterlogged or damaged. Furnishings like mattresses, sofas, and cushions are particularly susceptible.
If rain is expected, check with your moving company if they provide plastic covers or shrink wrapping services – if not, then you may need to get creative with bubble wrap and heavy-duty tape. Add these items to your moving budget, so you’re prepared with everything you need when it comes time to pack.
4. Take pictures for proof
Accidents are more likely to happen if you’re moving during bad weather. The best moving advice for this is to take photos of your boxes and other items to document how they looked beforehand. If they arrive with obvious dents or damage, then you’ll have photographic proof for your insurance company.
5. Keep distances short
When moving in bad weather park the truck close to the house to shorten loading distances from the front door or garage. Move all the boxes and furniture into one room closest to an exit point. Have some people stay inside to hand items to people outside to minimize dirt and mud being tracked through the house.
6. Use makeshift mats
If you’re worried about damaging your floors or carpet, then put down some makeshift mats made from cardboard, old sheets, or rugs. These can also be laid along the path between the door and the truck to stop people from slipping.
7. Dry off as you go
If it’s pouring with rain or snowing, it’s inevitable that items will get drenched. Have some old dry towels handy at your new house so you can wipe water off furniture and boxes when they arrive. Old sheets placed on the floor will also do a good job of mopping up excess moisture.
8. Unpack quickly
Leaving wet boxes lying around is a surefire way to give your new home a dose of mildew. Try to unpack quickly, especially with boxes that have rips or tears, so you can dry off items inside.
Take off furniture wrappings to let items breathe and prevent condensation. Get rid of wet or damp boxes from your home as soon as possible, or leave to dry on a covered porch before recycling.
Final Thoughts
Moving in bad weather does mean a bit of extra work but – if you’re prepared for the eventuality, and have the right accessories – it can still go smoothly. By following these moving tips you’ll be able to keep to your schedule and settle into your new home without any delays!
If you need assistance during your move, contact On the Go Moving today for quality moving and storage services.