Moving In Wet Weather – How To Make Sure It Goes Smoothly
You’ve had your moving day booked for months, and everything had been going to plan and on schedule. But then morning comes, and it’s pouring down rain. Or maybe you’ve checked the weather forecast in advance, and rain is certain. Moving in wet weather – What a nightmare!
Your first thought may be to cancel your moving day and try to reschedule in the future. However, this is not always possible, or convenient – especially if you’ve taken a day off work to move. But, moving in wet weather is entirely possible, and with some careful plans, your move can go off without a hitch.
At Optimove, our Removalists Brisbane to Melbourne been helping people move home for over a decade while making sure it goes smoothly in all weather conditions. For your peace of mind, we are accredited by the Australian Furniture Removers Association
Let’s not let some bad weather ruin your moving experience.
If the elements are against you, these tips will help prepare you for moving in wet weather and make sure it goes smoothly.
Garbage Bags Are Your Secret Weapon
When moving in wet weather, garbage bags are vital. They act as the perfect way to keep all of your clothes, books, toys, or other household items dry. They add another layer of protection against the elements.
All you need to do is wrap any time inside a garbage bag, then transport it as you would normally. This will ensure that nothing gets wet or damaged.
If you don’t have enough garbage bags, you can reuse them as you transport each item.
You can rest assured knowing that garbage bags will keep their contents 100% dry, whether it is your kids favourite stuffed toys, to your memorabilia collection, it’s in safe hands.
Wrapping Time
There are a large variety of packing materials designed for moving, but not many of them provide waterproofing to keep your belongings safe when moving in wet weather. If you are going to be moving in the rain, then it’s a good idea to get some plastic covers or shrink wrap. It’s great to protect your smaller items from the rain, especially electronics, although they work well when trying to keep the furniture covered as well.
Keep in mind that when you are wrapping boxes, make sure that you first tape up the box, using heavy-duty tape. Then put the plastic over the box. While tape can offer waterproofing protection, it isn’t sticky when being used on plastic. Don’t make the mistake of taping the outside of the plastic. Otherwise, it will cause you a lot of problems when it comes to unpacking as you realise you have a lot of open and soaking wet boxes with their contents potentially damaged inside.
Reduce The Time Spent In The Rain
This may seem like it goes without saying, but trying to keep out of the rain is often easier said than done. A good way to do this is to place all of your boxes and items close to the front door before you make the wet weather run towards the moving truck. It won’t only lead to having to carry each item a shorter distance. It will also make sure that you are not bringing the water with you into your old home.
If you know in advance it’s going to rain because of a weather forecast; then it’s strongly worth considering setting up a tarp, or even a tent. This will let you put it up between your front door and the moving truck, and significantly reduce the time you are stuck battling the rain.
Use A Towel
After you have loaded the boxes or furniture onto the truck, be sure to wipe off any excess water with a towel. This will help prevent water from leaking and keep your items safe.
Teamwork Makes It Easier
When moving in wet weather, assign everyone a different role, and form an assembly line. This will help to speed everything up significantly. Have some people stay inside the home, and some lined up between the truck and your home, and some people packing items into the truck. This tip reduces people having to run back and forward the whole way between truck and house, and it also makes cleaning up any water or mud easier once you’ve finished.
Prioritise Which Items You Move First
It’s a good idea to arrange your items by how well they can withstand the weather. First move any plastic tubs, or sealed waterproof containers, and items not as valuable first. By the time you have loaded these items, the rain may have slowed down, or even completely stopped meaning you don’t need to move your fragile items such as electronics or furniture when the storm is at its heaviest. If the rain still hasn’t stopped, then be sure to cover them using mats and blankets to add additional protection.
DIY Mats
To stop people from slipping while carrying heavy and fragile items, take sheets of cardboard and lay it down in the house entry, as well as along the path leading from the door to the truck.
Also take old sheets, carpets, or rugs and put them on the floor in areas where your moving helpers will be walking.
Unpack Once You Arrive
As soon as you have arrived at your new home and unpacked from the truck, start to look through all your boxes ASAP. If you find any which are wet, the sooner you remove the belongings from it, the less likely it is for any damage to occur.
Also get rid of any soaking wet boxes, as they will no longer be sturdy, and damp cardboard also often leads to mildew or mould – the last thing you want in your new home!
Any boxes you wish to reuse, keep them outside on a covered patio or porch to let them fully dry first before you pack them away.
Moving in wet weather is often a very unpleasant experience. It takes the stress of moving and amplifies it. Why not let professional movers do it for you, while you keep dry in your home?
Optimove are expert professional and experienced removalists Brisbane to Sydney rain, hail or shine. We offer a punctual, and reliable service, and will show up to complete your move no matter what the weather conditions may be! For an obligation-free quote, contact Optimove today on 1300 400 874 or email info@optimove.com.au.
