Let’s be honest. Moving isn’t exactly the easiest job. Sure, we can make it fun, but certain circumstances can make the job particularly tough. One such condition is rain. Rain is tricky because it comes with so much uncertainty: power interruptions prevent us from testing the electronics, we can’t re-install your DSTV or internet, since the kids can’t play outside, they often decide to play house with our moving boxes – sure, it’s cute, but troublesome when you’re trying to do your job as quickly as possible. Fog and misty roads cause poor visibility on the road, hence delays. Sometimes the roads get flooded, and we have to find detours… it can indeed get chaotic.
On a more serious note, rains can also necessitate an Emergency Move, which is not only inconvenient, but costly to the client as well because such moves need skillful handling (more on this in a later post 😉).
Here are a few tips to keep in mind so your move can run smoothly, even if it the weather isn’t so friendly:
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SAFETY FIRST
Things will be slippery: surfaces, pavements, driveways, sidewalks. You have to exercise a lot of caution when carrying heavy items. Keep this in mind and set up corrections for slippery surfaces. You can alleviate this problem by lining the path from your house to the truck with cardboard, old sheets or newspapers. Ensure you have a good grip of whichever items you’re carrying – heavy duty gloves can come in handy. Also remember to lift your boxes from below. Rain damage to cardboard boxes can make them flimsy, hence unreliable for carrying heavy items.
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Waterproofing
Ensure to wrap any items that can be ruined by water. Plastic materials such as moving wrap can be helpful to this effect. Moving blankets are awesome, but they’re rather ineffective against the rain because they’re not waterproof. Garbage bags work really well though. In fact, you might find them particularly useful during such a move. Make use of a covered truck to shift the goods. If unavailable, use a plastic tarp to shield your belongings from water during transit.
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Dedicate a staging area
You are likely going to get wet during this move. You can avoid people tracking mud and water through your house by allocating an area to gather your belongings for loading. Hence, you first focus on packing and putting the items in an easily accessible area like your front room or garage. Also, get your moving vehicle as close to the staging area as possible to minimize the downpour the movers have to endure.
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Plan ahead
If you’re moving during the rainy season, it is prudent to check the weather forecasts to anticipate the conditions you will have on your moving day. You might want to leave your rain gear unpacked in case you need it. This includes: heavy duty gloves and shoes with solid traction.
If you hadn’t, consider hiring a professional mover – they do moves on a regular basis, and firms like Nellions have the tools and expertise to move you safely even in the rainiest of days.
