Lots of people choose to move during good weather. Not everyone gets the option.
Sometimes you need to move during a wet or cold season. Knowing how to keep things dry and in good condition can help.
Use these tips to manage packing, loading, and transport during lousy weather. You’ll be glad you did.
Protect Your Home While Packing
If you’re packing during the storm, take care in choosing places to put boxes. An attic or basement seems convenient. Then you realize they’re more likely to leak, and you’re less likely to see it.
Start by thinking about how your packed items could become wet inside the house—seal gaps around your windows and doors. You’ll also want to manage roof leaks if that’s a common problem in your home during a storm.
Schedule to Avoid the Worst Weather
The best way to move during bad weather is to try to avoid the worst of it. This is a great time to study your weather forecast, especially the hourly estimates for rain or snow.
If you can, consider loading in advance. That way, you may be able to pack your boxes long before the storm arrives.
If you have no choice but to move during a storm, try to look for a break. Often, storms that last for days have periods with lighter and heavier rainfall. Lighter is what you’re looking for.
Keep Walkways Safe
While loading, the last thing you want is for someone to slip and fall. You don’t want your fragile items rolling onto the concrete, either.
For icy walkways, plan to salt or sand your driveway and any paths you have to walk. You may need to do this more than once if it’s snowing heavily.
If your sidewalks accumulate water, use a push-broom to brush the water into the gutter. You’ll help avoid splashing or stumbling that way.
Find Alternate Driving Routes
Moving companies usually know the best routes to follow during a big rainstorm or snowstorm. If you’re not sure, it may help to ask.
Alternative driving routes give you more options to choose from when traffic backs up. You may also avoid an accident that way.
For a long-distance move, check the weather in each city along the route. Look for options that allow you to bypass the freeway if you need to.
Manage Messes While Unloading
Even if you don’t load in the rain, there’s a chance you might have to unload in it. Protecting your items and your new home should be the goal.
If it’s actively raining or snowing during unloading, create a barrier for entering the home. Floor mats and a station to wipe down boxes can help.
If you use cardboard boxes for moving, cover the top and side with a small plastic tarp. This step keeps most of the water out of the house.
No Matter the Weather
You don’t always get an excellent moving day, but it doesn’t have to cause a big problem. With these tips and help from your moving company, you can handle it much better. To see how we can assist you, call us for a price quote.
