Best Strategies When Moving In Bad Weather

Moving furniture requires careful planning and execution, particularly when faced with unpredictable or adverse weather conditions. Such conditions can pose significant risks to your belongings, from water damage to physical harm. Movivan specializes in providing expert, weather-proof relocation services, ensuring that your furniture is protected and transported safely, regardless of the weather challenges encountered.

Use Weather-Proof Packing Materials When The Weather Is Bad

When moving furniture, especially under the threat of bad weather, using the right packing materials is crucial for waterproofing and ensuring the safety of your belongings.

Plastic wraps, often referred to as stretch wraps, play a pivotal role in shielding furniture from moisture and dirt. They are particularly effective for wrapping upholstered items and can be tightly secured around sofas and chairs to prevent water penetration.

Sealable plastic bags are indispensable for protecting smaller items or components that could be damaged by water, such as screws and bolts from disassembled furniture pieces, ensuring they remain dry and secure.

Plastic moving crates. Using plastic crates when moving in bad weather is a smart choice, as they provide better protection for your belongings against moisture and water damage. Unlike cardboard boxes, plastic crates are sturdy, reusable, and less likely to disintegrate in wet conditions, ensuring your items remain safe and dry.

Utilizing these materials in combination can significantly reduce the risk of water damage and ensure that your furniture arrives at its new destination in the best possible condition.

What Else You Might Need?

Depending on the type of weather conditions, you might need additional extra stuff to protect your belongings and your family.

Sunscreen – Irreplaceable when the weather i too hot and sunny. Protect your skin from sunburns.

Lots of bottled water – during a hot moving day you must hydrate yourself and your family even if you are physically not doing the job yourself. Get some extra packs for our movers too. They will appreciate it!

Rain boots and extra pairs of clothes(waterproof if possible) – Important for rainy days.

Shovels for snow and salt to spread the road – in high places during the winter it is quite possible to be cold and the road to be icy. The ice will keep your driveway and sidewalks clean and you can clear some with the shovel.

Check also: How to transport a mattress?

How To Wrap The Furniture When Moving In Bad Weather?

Properly wrapping furniture is key to protecting it from the elements during a move. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wrap different types of furniture effectively:

Gather Materials

Before you start, ensure you have all necessary materials on hand: plastic wrap (stretch wrap), bubble wrap, sealable plastic bags, waterproof moving blankets, and packing tape.

Clean and Disassemble Furniture

Begin by cleaning each piece of furniture. Remove any detachable parts such as legs, shelves, or drawers to make wrapping and moving easier. Place screws and small components in sealable plastic bags and label them.

Protect Delicate Areas

Use bubble wrap to protect delicate areas prone to damage, such as corners, glass components, and ornate decorations. Secure the bubble wrap with packing tape, making sure not to apply tape directly to the furniture’s surface to prevent damage.

Wrap with Moving Blankets

For wooden or upholstered furniture, cover the entire piece with moving blankets. These blankets provide a first layer of protection against scratches, dents, and moisture. Secure the blankets with packing tape or moving bands.

Apply Plastic Wrap

Over the moving blankets, wrap the furniture in plastic wrap. Start from the bottom and work your way up, ensuring the wrap overlaps and is tight enough to hold the blankets in place but not so tight as to cause damage. The plastic wrap acts as a barrier against rain, snow, and wind.

Seal Edges and Openings

Make sure all edges and openings are sealed with plastic wrap to prevent water from seeping in. Pay special attention to the bottoms of furniture pieces, as these are often the most exposed to water during loading and unloading.

Label Wrapped Furniture

Finally, label each wrapped piece of furniture with waterproof labels, indicating the contents and the room it belongs to. This will help with organization and ensure careful handling.

Hire Movivan to protect and move your belongings even in bad weather conditions.

Protecting Fragile Items While Moving In Bad Weather Tips

For antique, wooden, or upholstered furniture, apply furniture polish or acid-free tissue paper before wrapping to protect against moisture. Ensure delicate items are not burdened with heavy boxes during the move to prevent structural damage. These measures help safeguard sensitive pieces against water damage and physical harm, ensuring their preservation and integrity.

Additional Safety Measures

In bad weather, prioritizing safety is paramount to avoid accidents and injuries while moving furniture. Wear non-slip footwear to prevent slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces, ensuring a firm grip when navigating slippery paths. Use gloves for better grip and protection against cold, and employ moving straps or dollies to safely transport heavy items, reducing the risk of strain injuries. Additionally, clear pathways of snow, ice, or debris and secure loose items that could be hazardous in windy conditions, ensuring a safe passage for movers and furniture alike.

Protecting both the property you’re moving out of and the one you’re moving into is crucial during bad weather conditions to avoid damage. Here are key strategies to ensure property protection:

Use Protective Materials: Lay down protective coverings on floors and carpets, such as non-slip mats, plastic sheeting, or old blankets, to prevent mud, water, and debris from being tracked inside. This is especially important in high-traffic areas or any path that movers will frequently use.

Secure the Exterior: Ensure that the outdoor areas are safe and secure. This includes clearing pathways of snow, ice, or debris to prevent accidents. If possible, set up temporary shelters or awnings over entrances and exits to minimize the amount of water and debris entering the property.

Mind the Walls and Doorframes: Use foam padding, corner guards, or even makeshift bumpers made from wrapped towels or blankets to protect door frames, corners, and walls from scratches or dents caused by moving furniture and boxes.

Minimize Traffic: Plan the move strategically to minimize the number of trips in and out of the property. Consolidating trips can reduce the amount of exposure to bad weather, decreasing the risk of bringing in water or debris.

Control Moisture: Have towels, mops, and buckets handy to immediately deal with any water that gets inside. Quick action can prevent slips and protect floors from water damage.

Monitor Weather Conditions: Stay informed about the weather throughout the moving process. If conditions worsen, be prepared to pause the move to protect workers, the property, and your belongings.

By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of property damage during a move in bad weather, ensuring a smoother transition to your new home.