Moving In the rain

If the weather forecast is suggesting you’re due to draw the short straw, when moving in the rain you’ll want to take a few extra precautions to ensure a smoother (and drier) move. Here are 10 tips and tricks to help make moving in the rain a breeze.

1. Keep checking the weather forecast

Continue to monitor the weather report

The prediction is the only thing that has the potential to change more quickly than the weather itself. If sunny skies were expected a week before moving, make sure to check again in case the prediction has altered as the day approaches when moving in the rain.

The more accurate the timings and amounts of rain that meteorologists are predicting become as the date approaches.

2. Stock up on bin bags

On moving day just a hint, large garbage bags come in quite handy if it is pouring. You can waterproof almost anything with little preparation and expense.

3. Wrap absolutely everything

With all the tedious packing associated with relocating, it’s simple to become complacent and wrap only the vital boxes. However, it’s likely that you’ll open the less significant ones last at your new house. So when you actually unpack them, all you’ll find if they’re to blame for letting water in is a mouldy mess. The simple answer? Enclose everything. That way, everything will be in pristine shape no matter what you open last.

4. Protect your floors

Whether it’s your new home or your old stomping ground, rainy weather usually means walking in water and mud. If you still have a few old towels that aren’t wrapping your glassware, a few in each doorway can save damaging your floors.

5. Waterproof precious items

If something is extremely precious, don’t just trust your bin bag. Waterproofing each individual item with its own bag and plastic wrapping can guarantee your most treasured items are safe from harm.

6. Shorten carrying distances

When you’re actually moving or packing boxes inside, the rain doesn’t really matter. However, it may really mess things up when you’re moving furniture in the rain. You can reduce the amount of time your possessions are exposed if you can park your delivery vehicle straight up to the door (or even in the garage).

7. Set up temporary cover

An old gazebo from your camping days can provide cover from the door to the vehicle. If you’ve shortened your carrying distance as much as you can, some sneaky cover can make a short walk through the rain a completely covered path.

8. Prioritise your most important items

If you have a break in the weather, transport what you can’t afford to get wet. That could be your furniture, bedding, paper-mâché sculptures, or masses of fairy floss – whatever you consider the most delicate in the rain.

9. Create an assembly line

Smooth is swift, and slow is smooth. Your move will go more smoothly if you can introduce more organisation and order. Additionally, the less time it takes for rain to endanger it, the faster it moves.

Start deciding which goods should be loaded first while you are safe inside. In order to spend as little time as possible altering where things are placed in the vehicle for transfer, try to arrange everything before you start transporting it.

10. Dry boxes and furniture as you load them

If boxes or furniture did get a bit wet as you loaded them, don’t wait to take action. Simply wiping boxes down with a rag or towel can save water from seeping through, or a box from slipping out of your grasp at the other end.

How do I know when I should reschedule my move?

Obviously, there is a point at which the weather becomes dangerous enough to warrant rescheduling. Usually at that point do strong gusts, hail, or lightning become an issue. If you’re unsure, simply ask yourself: Could moving in the forecasted weather conditions injure me? It is wise to stay inside if lightning, flooding, hail, or wind could cause harm or worse. Always pick a AFRA accredited company who knows there stuff. AFRA