Being prepared is certainly the most important thing when it comes to moving to a new home.
However, being faced with inclement weather as moving day draws closer can cause a lot of stress – especially when you need to make emergency plans to protect your belongings and want to minimise any risk or damage.
Luckily, with the right planning, you can protect your belongings, come rain or shine.
In this article, we provide tips to make a move in bad weather as worry free as possible, guiding you with the best moving tips for the journey to your new house.
What happens when it rains on moving day?
Even the best laid plans can be disrupted by a rainy day or bad weather conditions that arrive just days prior to your move.
The most important thing to remember is that you can still protect and keep your belongings dry, especially if you are unable to reschedule your moving day to another date.
Do movers still work in the rain?
If you are moving during a season that is known for bad weather situations or regular bouts of rain, it is worth it to confirm with your moving company whether they still work during inclement weather.
Get clarity on whether there are any specific weather conditions where they will be unable to perform moving duties and what the next steps would be if a move needs to be rescheduled.
Do remember that most professional moving companies will likely still do a move during rainy or stormy weather, but keep in touch in the days leading up to your move to ensure you know what to expect.
Preparing for your move
Not sure how to protect your belongings when moving in the rain or snow, or during seasons notorious for sudden changes in weather?
Here are some considerations.
Choose reusable plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes
Nothing can damage important paper items faster than wet, soggy cardboard boxes.
Also, if you are going to store boxes in a separate room or attic for a while, wet cardboard boxes can quickly become breeding areas for mould, which is the last thing you want.
The best way to ensure that your belongings remain safe is to use reusable plastic containers that you could either rent or that you already own.
These containers are also eco friendly, which means you will have less move waste to deal with once you have unpacked your belongings.
Label all containers when packing belongings
Moving during bad weather often leads to quite speedily carrying boxes into a new house.
This means that all containers need to be carefully labelled to ensure there is minimum worry or frustration about where the right boxes for the right rooms need to be put.
Have materials and other household materials ready for extra protection for household items
Garbage bags, extra towels or even sheets can double up as protection during a move in bad weather.
Even if you already have carefully wrapped items, it will do no harm to add extra packaging to ensure that items are safely prepared for a move in rainy weather.
Tips for moving during inclement weather
If the weather report for your upcoming move causes some stress, remember that light rain or moderate inclement weather doesn’t mean your move needs to be unpleasant.
Keep these tips in mind:
Keep an eye on the weather reports
During your move day, there will certainly be weather fluctuations, so check at what time there might be rain storms or other weather changes to take note of.
Dress yourself – and your family – warmly
Rain boots, waterproof jackets and jerseys will keep everything comfortable during cold days or when you are expecting rain.
Also, ensure that everyone has non-slip shoes if you are moving during a snow day.
Shovel snow out of the way to make it easier to have a clear path for your move
Your removals team will certainly appreciate it when they have an easy path for carrying boxes and furniture, so assist them during moving, and have some hot beverages available too for extra comfort.
Ensure your moving truck can park as close as possible to the entrance of your old house on moving day
Whether you are moving from an apartment or an old house, it will make your move a lot easier when your removal team can make the shortest trips to and from the moving truck.
Be properly prepared, and if you need to inform neighbours about where the truck will be parked.
Also, ensure that the moving truck will not block anyone’s entryway, as this could be especially frustrating during days with bad weather.
Cover all large pieces of furniture with plastic wrap
Your moving team might offer this as an additional service, so check with them if they will be able to provide this extra convenience on your moving day.
Have old sheets or towels at doors to ensure mud and dirt are not left behind on wood floors or the carpet
Also, keep garbage bags ready for transporting dirty towels to your new home, where they will be washed and cleaned.
How to protect your new home when moving in during bad weather
Another important thing to remember is that you need to protect your new house from the start when moving in during bad weather.
Have towels ready for entryways and keep a mop at hand to mop up any water spills if needed.
Also, once your belongings are moved in, take care to safely remove external wrapping materials to ensure no items get in contact with moisture.
When is the best time to move to avoid bad weather?
Spring and autumn are usually ideal times to move.
However, if you are moving on a specific schedule, moving house could take place during the cold winter months.
Luckily, if you plan ahead for moving home and have the best planned strategy for protecting belongings, it will be easy to move to your new property.
If you need more information about moving during bad weather, get in touch with our expert team today.
We would be happy to assist you with tips for moving on a rainy day, and provide more information on our moving service during bad weather.
