Just like mail carriers, a move has to happen no matter the weather—rain, sunshine, sleet or snow. Even the best moving plans can get messy when the weather turns bad. Since you can’t control Mother Nature, the best thing you can do is get ready for whatever conditions come your way on moving day.
The first step is to keep an eye on the weather forecast in the days and weeks leading up to your move. It may not be perfect but it helps you prepare for what’s coming. What you wear on moving day also matters. Choose clothes that fit the season and be ready for any kind of bad weather.
Rain
A light rain usually won’t cause much trouble when moving. But heavy rain can make things harder. If the rain is pouring, it’s better to delay the move until the next day—if you can. However, if you’re on a strict schedule, you may have to move ahead with your plans despite the weather.
The main goal is to keep your things dry. Try to park the moving truck as close to your house as you can. Cover your furniture with moving pads first, then wrap them in plastic to keep the pads from getting wet. Also, check that the truck has no leaks and that rain can’t get inside while you’re loading it.
Place towels, blankets or moving pads on the floors to protect your carpet or wood from getting damaged. You can also have some movers stay inside and others outside, passing boxes between them so no one tracks in mud or water. Keep a few extra towels handy so people can dry off if they get wet.
Shine
Many people think that moving on a sunny day is the easiest but it can bring its own problems like sunburn or dehydration. Make sure to have plenty of sunscreen for everyone and keep enough drinks available, especially for those doing the heavy lifting.
Sleet and Snow
Winter weather like sleet, snow and ice can cause the biggest problems when moving. If you’re planning a move during the winter, there are a few extra things you’ll need to keep in mind to stay safe and prepared.
It’s your job to make sure the driveway and sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice so movers can safely get from the house to the truck. Do this before they arrive. Spread salt or sand to stop ice from forming and keep shovels ready in case you need to clear the path again. You’ll also need to do the same at your new home, so keep the shovels easy to reach when you arrive.
Park the moving truck as close to your house as possible and protect your furniture with moving pads. If it’s snowing, wrap the pads in plastic to keep them dry. Put towels, blankets or pads on the floors so movers don’t track in water or slush that could ruin your carpet or wood floors. Like on rainy days, you can also have some movers stay inside and others outside to pass boxes back and forth.
Keep both hot drinks and water ready for the people helping with the move. If you have a portable heater, set it up so everyone can warm up when needed.
If the weather gets really bad, many moving companies may cancel the move. If it’s too hard for you to move out, it’s likely just as hard for the new people to move in. Also, if the roads aren’t safe to drive on, movers usually won’t send their trucks. So, it’s a good idea to keep some emergency supplies ready just in case. Moving in bad weather can take more time than you expect, so stay patient and don’t stress.