For the smoothest move possible, you have to start planning well in advance of moving day. Even if you try to schedule your move around the Farmer’s Almanac, there’s still going to be a chance Mother Nature won’t cooperate. While no one wants to start carting their precious belongings through rain, sleet or snow, it’s best you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature has hidden in her weather schedule.
Provide Additional Protection for Possessions
Packing your items securely in a box can protect them from most things, but the moisture from rain or snow has the potential to ruin the integrity of any box. Watch the weather reports a week or so before your move and watch them daily. If it looks like it might rain, find or purchase plastic sheet wrap to cover items in. Depending on the size of your move, you may want to buy enough plastic wrap to cover all your items, or just enough to shield them like an enlarged umbrella as they are loaded on the moving van.
Prepare Your Home
Loading your belongings onto the moving van will require a lot of trips back and forth. You will not be able to avoid tracking wetness and dirt in your home. Keep your carpets, floors and home fresh and clean by laying mats in paths throughout your house. Before movers arrive to start loading your items, move all the boxes possible to the edge of your paths. This way, you can ensure nothing is tracked in from the weather outside
*Bonus tip: Some pieces may be too big or bulky to push next to the path of mats you have made. Instead of stopping to take off your shoes and coat every time you need to move something, designate a person to stay in the home during the loading process. Have them gradually move items to the edge of the path as each piece is loaded.
Investigate Creative Options
If the extra plastic wrap and mats across your home’s floor seem like too much of a hassle, consider creative options. Creating a canopy from your front door to the van can be a great way to transfer everything without the risk of weather damage. Be sure to pay attention to the specific kind of weather happening. If snow is already on the ground, no canopy will protect your floors and you will still need mats. If the wind is ferocious, the only way the canopy will keep out moisture is if it has sides that touch the ground.
Take Pictures of Everything
You may have already taken pictures of your items to financially protect yourself from damage. If you are moving in bad weather, you will also want to take photos of you packed boxes. Take photos of the boxes in your home and as they appear on the moving truck. Damaged items are rare, but you don’t want to take a chance when all you own is on a moving van. These photos will be your proof that everything was loaded in perfect condition.
Mother Nature can be unpredictable and she often doesn’t care about the day you have decided to move. Don’t let the thought of bad weather add more stress to your move. If you use these four smart tips to plan and prepare, nothing can stop you from moving to your destination.
There are examples of weather that is particularly dangerous, such as flooding and tornadoes. Be sure to communicate with your mover if you think the weather is too dangerous to begin loading a moving van. Likely your mover will also be paying attention to the weather and will be able to provide you with expert advice on whether or not it is safe to move your shipment.
National Van Lines is moving families around the United States seven days a week, rain or shine. Give us a call today at 877-590-2810 for a 100% free moving quote and specific information about your move.
