Moving in rain? Here’s what to do.
Even the best planned moves can’t account for everything that can happen on moving day. There’s always some unexpected hurdle or obstacle to overcome. The most common is rain.
Nobody likes moving in rain or wet, windy weather. It can damage your possessions, adds another level of difficulty to lifting and carrying items, and poses hazards like slippery surfaces.
Have no fear. We’ve written this guide to help you get through your move with minimal moisture and mess.
1. Do not pack your cleaning products
If you wake up on moving day and it’s raining outside, the first job for the day is to put aside your cleaning products and some old towels. These should be the very last items to leave the house to be loaded onto the truck.
Professional movers come ready for wet weather with floor protection to avoid making a mess, but it’s better to be safe than sorry if you need to clean up an unexpected mess. Keep the towels on standby to dry items or mop up puddles.
2. Shorten your carrying distance
Moving is much easier in general if you can reduce the distance you need to carry items from the house to the truck. But it’s a lifesaver when moving in rain, as it also reduces the time your possessions are exposed to water. Get the truck as close as you can to the house accounting for the length of the loading ramp.
3. Get waterproof coverings ready
There are lots of household items you can use to cover your possessions as you carry them to the truck. Tarps are great for large items. Rubbish bags and bin liners can be used to cover boxes and smaller items. An old towel will also give some protection in light rain. In all cases, make sure the protective covering doesn’t affect your ability to safely pick up and carry the item. Always make sure you have a secure hold.
4. Keep towels on standby in the truck
Your goal is to minimise the overall moisture in the truck once everything is loaded. Residual water will still damage items, especially if they’re going to be in transit for a long time. Keep towels handy in the truck to make sure everything is dry when loaded.
5. Protect floors
One of the most notorious problems with moving in rain is dirtying floors. Wet muddy shoes will leave stains in carpet that are tough to remove. If you have old blankets, towels or mats, make pathways through the house to avoid walking on floors. Make sure you thoroughly wipe your feet each time you reenter the house. You’ll feel much better if you can avoid a bill for professional carpet cleaning if someone makes a mess.
6. Work in teams if you can
The best way to avoid the above problem is to have an inside and an outside team, so nobody crosses over. The inside team takes items to the door and passes them over to the outside team to load onto the truck. If you have a covered area such as a porch, use it as the handover zone.
7. Do it the easy way
Hire the pros to handle your move. We have the techniques and equipment to move in any weather conditions, leaving your home in immaculate condition for the new owners. Give us a call if you need help.
