As we get deeper into the winter, we have to employ more caution in just about everything we do. It’s best to avoid doing anything too strenuous in these conditions but that’s not always possible; sometimes life makes things more difficult. Moving home isn’t the easiest thing to do under perfect circumstances, so can you imagine how much harder the snow, ice or rain will make it. That’s why we’ve put together these tips to help make moving home in bad weather more manageable.
Moving home in the rain
Overview
Rain is the most common natural obstacle to a successful relocation. It can have negative practical and mental effects, making small aspects of the move harder to plan while also bringing down the mood of what should be an exciting day. When the rain hits, the main thing you need to worry about is keeping your possessions safe and dry.
While packing boxes are secure and sturdy, they won’t stand much chance in a downpour so plan ahead and wrap them up if you can. Plastic/stretch wrapping – or even a bin liner – will protect them between trips to the moving truck, and make sure you don’t leave any boxes standing outside on the driveway or doorstep.
Things to remember
- Dress for the occasion – Keep some wet weather clothes – and an umbrella or two – to hand for moving day. You don’t want to turn up to your new home sodden with all the unpacking still left to do.
- Protect furniture – Wooden furniture can warp and eventually rot in the rain, so keep tables and chairs etc. wrapped up as much as you can.
- Protect electrical items – No matter the weather, bubble wrap should be used to protect your electrical equipment. In the rain, it will provide a much needed extra layer of protection.
- Stay safe – Heavy rain can wreak havoc with general visibility and mobility, so whether you’re on the road or carrying boxes to and from the house, stay safe and take things slow – rain only increases the risk of injury.
Moving home in the winter
Overview
Rain can strike anytime but the winter months are more predictable. Many people choose to move in the winter because it’s more of an off season for removals, making it easier to find good rates on a move. Unfortunately, a harsh winter can really complicate things so preparation is an absolute necessity.
If the journey to your new home is a long one, plan the route in advance. Snow and ice can disrupt roads overnight, so stick to main roads and motorways when it’s near freezing. With less light in the winter, it’s also wise to start as early as you can to give yourself more time to get everything done.
The other big tip for winter is to pack an emergency supply box. This box should include anything you might require quick and easy access to should anything go wrong. Spare clothes, blankets and snacks/drinks are a must, but you’ll also need things like: backup phones and batteries, fully charged power-banks, a first aid kit, a spare map, torches, de-icer and a snow shovel.
Winter specific tips
- Clear a path – If snow or ice has settled outside your home, don’t even think about carrying any boxes outside until you’ve cleared a path. It’s not safe. Shovel snow to forge a safe route from your house, and make sure to do the same when you arrive at your new property – if necessary.
- Prepare your car and drive safe – Winter can be a demanding period for vehicles, so have your car checked over a couple of weeks before the moving date. This should help you to avoid any nasty surprises like mechanical failures/breakdowns. Even with a clean bill of automotive health, icy roads are unpredictable, so exercise caution and drive safe in the snow.
- Keep morale up – Motivation drains quicker than daylight on a winter moving day, so you’ll need a way to keep morale and energy up as you go. Hot drinks go a long way, so fill up some flasks and dish them out throughout the day. If you’re moving with kids, spare them the hard work and let them entertain themselves with a tablet or laptop or some toys in a well-heated room. When it’s time to go, they can join you without drama as they’ll be warm, happy and excited to see their new home.
- Think about storage – Should the unthinkable happen and you’re unable to complete the move to your new home on moving day because of poor conditions, you can always use short term self storage to your advantage. Talk to your removals company and they can arrange to transport your belongings to a storage facility until everything has cleared up and you’re able to finish off the move.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® are proud to provide a premier and personal removals service to each and every customer. Whatever the size or scale of our move we offer our professional expertise every step of the way. We offer a full packing service, or we can provide specialist packing materials to protect all your belongings. Our removals service is fully insured, our movers are highly trained and our reputation is second to none. To find out more, simply contact us today.