A rainy moving day can add a few extra layers to a move. By hiring experienced residential movers, you can protect your possessions and your property.
Moving your home in the rain comes down to protecting your belongings, preparing your home, and photographing everything before it leaves your house. Whether it’s going to rain on the day you leave or the day you arrive, these rainy day moving tips will help you manage the entire process with confidence.
Should You Reschedule a Long Distance Move Because of Rain?
In most cases, no – you do not need to reschedule a long distance move because of the rain. In fact, an experienced moving company like National Van Lines can work with you to properly manage a move in the rain, whether it’s raining at your current residence or your new location.
As your move approaches, keep an eye on the forecast. We recommend starting about a week in advance. You’ll want to take a look at where you currently live and where you’ll be moving to. National Weather Service forecast maps may shift and change a little as you get closer to moving day, so a quick daily check will keep you informed about whether or not you can expect rain.
When rain is in the forecast, talk to your moving company about any logistics or planning that may be affected.
“We’ve managed countless moves across nearly 100 years of business, so we’ve seen our fair share of rainy days,” says Danielle Perri, Director of Contact Center Sales Development. “When you move with National Van Lines, your MovePro coordinator can be a second pair of ears and eyes for checking the forecast and making the right plan.”
Finally, if the National Weather Service issues a severe weather watch or warning for your area (such as for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes), check with your MovePro coordinator about any rescheduling needed to keep everyone safe.
How Do You Protect Your Belongings When Moving in the Rain?
By properly packing your items in moving boxes, you’ll be able to protect them when they’re in transit. However, the moisture from rain has the potential to weaken the structure of a cardboard box. It’s common in both rainy and snowy environments to wrap both furniture and boxes with extra plastic wrap so that they’re protected from the moisture.
When you choose packing services with National Van Lines, we’ll take that extra step to wrap the outside of each box to ensure protection against moisture and rain when it’s in the forecast.
“Our crews focus on safely getting your items wrapped and loaded during a rainy move,” says Mike Martin, Senior Director of Operations. “This might mean in an active downpour, they wait a little for the rain to let up so wrapped boxes aren’t slipping out of hands. Or, if you have specific access conditions, they might use a shuttle truck to keep everything smooth and safe. Their top priority is safety, and they’ll communicate any updates or changes with you as the day goes on.”
How Do You Protect Your Floors When Moving in the Rain?
Rain tracked in from outside can damage your floors and create slipping hazards for everyone carrying heavy items. Use these handy steps to protect your floors when moving in the rain.
- Use mats or break down extra cardboard boxes to line main pathways. This helps keep your floor clean and free of moisture that could make walking around while carrying items dangerous. Your moving crew will work with you to prepare and protect your home and keep floors clean and dry.
- Wear the right shoes and have a way to clean them. We recommend using weatherproof shoes like rain boots or snow boots. Keep a towel or mat by main entryways to quickly clean off the bottom of your shoes. Your moving crew will wear disposable shoe covers to keep their footwear clean as well.
- Pack towels or mats in your car for your new home. On a long distance move, rain could fall at your destination even though your loading day is dry, so keep a few towels or mats with you to position near the entrance of your new home before unloading begins. Your moving crew can take care of the rest.
Why Should You Photograph Your Belongings Before Moving in the Rain?
As part of the long distance moving process, it’s common to take pictures of all your belongings before you move. This documentation means you can verify that everything arrives in the same condition as it left. If it does not, you can submit those photos with your claim. And when you anticipate any kind of precipitation, you’ll also want to take pictures of the moving boxes once they’re packed and ready to go. This will provide proof of the condition of each box before it passes through the rain and into the truck.
This practice is important because of how federal laws work. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) allows up to 9 months for you to submit a claim about your move if anything goes wrong. Having photographs of how everything looked before the move gives you compelling evidence to support a claim if anything should arise.
Long Distance Moving Help, Rain or Shine
Got an upcoming long distance move? National Van Lines is here to support you in all kinds of weather. Call 800-323-1962 or get your free, personalized moving quote today to start planning.