Despite careful planning, there is one part of a move you can’t control—the weather. Worrying if you see possible rain forecasted on your move day is natural, but don’t stress too much. While moving in the rain is not ideal, the most important thing is to prepare properly. With some preparation and patience, you can safely complete your local or long-distance move and protect your precious items from the wet weather.
Take a look at some of 1-800-PACK-RAT’s favorite tips and strategies for moving in rainy, damp weather.
Tips for Moving in the Rain
Depending on what season you decide to move in, a rainy day can be the most unpredictable element to plan for, especially if you booked your move with your moving company a month or so in advance. The weather can be tough, especially if you are moving in the Spring and Summer seasons, as pop-up storms can appear at any moment, bringing rain and bad weather along with it.
The rain shouldn’t prevent you from making a successful move, though. You can employ some simple strategies to push back against Mother Nature’s plans for your moving day and stay safe while minimizing the amount of time it takes to do it.
Hope for the Best, but Plan for the Worst
Weather is a fickle thing. You can start making plans based on the weather 15 days before your move, but you won’t have a clear view until a few days before. Even then, the forecast can change dramatically from one day to the next, especially during the Summer months when pop-up storms can happen at any time, so be prepared for bad weather situations.
So, if you see the potential for rain on your moving day, start gathering moving supplies and prepare to make some alterations to your moving plans. Don’t forget also to check the weather report for your target city, especially if you are unloading your stuff that day. Here are some items that can make moving in the rain easier:
- Pop-up tents
- Umbrellas
- Tarps
- Plastic garbage bags of different sizes
- Mops
- Old towels and rags
- Rugs
- Cardboard
- Plastic tubs
- Heavy duty tape
- Non-slip shoes
Be sure to also check your local weather radar for rain breaks while moving and packing your stuff. Set aside items that absolutely cannot get wet and try to wait for a pause or a slowdown in the rain to move them. If you do need to move stuff and the rain isn’t showing signs of letting up, be sure to have something to cover your boxes and other items with plastic sheeting as you carry them to get packed away.
Never pack up wet or drenched items! If need be, have someone in your moving solution or portable container dry things off thoroughly before storing them inside for your move. Wet boxes and other items can quickly develop mold and mildew and damage your stored belongings, no matter what kind of moving solution you use.
Prepare Your Boxes, Furniture, and Belongings
You can use plastic wrap or garbage bags to cover your cardboard boxes or furniture from your old home to protect them from the rain. However, for susceptible items, like important papers, books, or valuables that cannot get wet, consider transferring them from cardboard boxes to plastic storage containers. If you are not wrapping your cardboard boxes, we recommend using heavy-duty tape on the bottom to provide additional support. Take extra precautions with electronics and other water-sensitive items that are not secured in a box.
Add additional layers of protection by first wrapping them in blankets and then securely wrapping them in plastic. This will form a waterproof barrier. Keep in mind that cardboard boxes are stronger than you may think and can withstand some rain before falling apart.
If you have to pack something wet, be sure to unpack any boxes that may get heavily drenched by rain first to avoid mold or mildew forming on the contents inside, as keeping wet cardboard could also lead to similar issues. If you need moving supplies for your move, visit our partner, Lowe's® Home Improvement, for anything you might need!
Create a Staging Area to Pack Out Your Stuff
Instead of moving boxes directly from a room in your house into your portable storage unit or moving solution, create a staging area where all the boxes and furniture can stay until you are ready to face the rain, then set up an assembly line to hand boxes down to place easily into your moving solution.
This will keep you from tracking water or mud throughout your entire home, which you must clean up before leaving, giving you yet another task to complete. The best way to manage this is by using the garage or basement as an ideal staging area because the floors are typically concrete or tile and won’t be too bothered by you going in and out of the rain.
Consider using pop-up canopies if you are dealing with rain and the wind is light. You can line canopies up on the path between your container or moving vehicle and the door of your home. This will provide some protection from the rain as you are moving items back and forth, especially if you set one up to cover the doors to your portable moving container or moving solution.
Protect Your Floors with Tarps, Mats, and Other Items
Protecting your floors is a high priority when moving, whether it is raining or not. Ensure everyone assisting with your move knows to be careful about tracking water, dirt, or mud throughout the home. You can use tarps, old runner rugs, non-slip mats, cardboard, or towels to create walkways from one room to another. Keep a mop on hand in case of any unintentional water accumulation.
Try using the assembly line strategy with a dedicated indoor and outdoor crew to quickly and efficiently move your items into/out of the entrance of your home. The outdoor crew will move items to and from outside and hand them off to the indoor crew or vice versa. This is an efficient way to move boxes and other smaller items.
It also prevents mud and dirt from being tracked inside by keeping the crews separate and shortens the distances that your moving helpers have to walk. Just be sure to have a dry place for your outdoor crew to get out of the rain for breaks - this is where an empty garage or big pop-up tent can come in handy.
Practice Good Safety Habits When Packing and Unpacking
Wet and rainy weather increases the risk of injury during a move. Damp and slippery walkways constitute a significant cause of slip-and-fall accidents. Be sure to take extra care and wear non-slip practical shoes with good tread to prevent slipping and injury. Once again, this is where some old towels or tarps can come in handy to provide some traction on the floor while keeping it a bit cleaner.
Be especially careful if you have to go up and down any ramps, like the ones found on the back of moving trucks. Our portable storage containers allow for ground-level packing, so you don’t have to worry about falling and getting hurt on a slippery metal ramp. It also keeps you from having to drive this large and unfamiliar truck in bad weather, increasing the chances of an accident occurring that can make your move far more complicated than it needs to be.
Load Your Dryer Last and Unpack It First
Have your dryer be the last thing loaded at the move-out site and the first thing unloaded and set up at the new place. A functioning dryer during a rainy move can keep you and your moving crew as dry as possible and keep your old and new home from becoming a mess of damp towels and clothes. It may not always be possible based on how you pack your stuff, but it can help on a rainy day.
How Can One Protect Furniture and Electronics During a Move in the Rain?
Protect furniture and electronics during a move in the rain by using waterproof covers or plastic wraps. Utilize moving blankets to shield items, and consider hiring professional movers experienced in handling rain logistics. Avoid leaving items exposed to rain for extended periods to prevent damage.
Use Portable Moving & Storage Containers and Store Your Stuff Securely
One way you can mitigate the effects of bad weather is to use a moving solution that gives you ultimate flexibility to move whenever works best for you. Portable moving and storage containers from 1-800-PACK-RAT are the perfect solution. Instead of renting a traditional moving truck, packing, driving, and unpacking everything all in 1 - 2 days to avoid overage fees no matter what the weather brings, portable containers can be loaded at your pace.
Here is how it works: 1-800-PACK-RAT will drop a container off at your home. You then can pack it at your pace for as long as you need - meaning if the weather is bad one day, you can wait until it clears up to pack your container another day. When done, we will come and pick up your container and deliver it to your new home, where you can unpack everything on your schedule. Or, if you are not ready to receive your stuff yet, we can store your container at one of our over 75 secure, nationwide storage facilities for as long as you need it. No driving is necessary on your part, and you can leave the logistics entirely to us!
Not all portable storage containers and storage companies are created equal, especially when you compare us to the competition. 1-800-PACK-RAT uses all steel and weather-resistant portable storage containers to help keep your stuff safe and secure. They are specifically constructed to resist the elements and prevent moisture absorption, decreasing the likelihood of mold and mildew.
Be sure not to pack anything wet inside, as this can lead to mold and mildew creation. Dry everything off as you pack it to avoid damage, or just wait until there is a clear day to pack your stuff, if possible.
Let 1-800-PACK-RAT Make Your Upcoming Move Simpler
Moving in the rain can be a challenge, but it is one that 1-800-PACK-RAT accepts! We can help you find professional labor services in your local area you can trust to pack your stuff if you need it, even in the rain, as well as auto transportation partners for those cross-country moves!
The best part about moving with 1-800-PACK-RAT is that you can pack at your pace, leave all the driving to us, and keep your container securely stored for as long as needed. So if it calls for rain on the day you planned to pack but have some wiggle room, you can avoid the rain altogether!
Whatever your moving and storage needs may be, 1-800-PACK-RAT makes it simple. Give us a call or go online for a free quote today, and let us help make your next move a breeze, no matter what weather you are dealing with!