October 13, 2021 Posted in How-to
Michael Vaughan

Moving through the Bay Area, Michael works as a freelance writer in the moving and transportation industry.

How to Survive and Prepare for Moving in the Rain

Even if you’ve thoroughly planned your cross country move, a sudden downpour on the relocation day can put a damper on your plans. While some might be used to rainfall, boxes, furniture, and other items certainly aren’t. Fortunately, there are a ton of tips for moving in the rain that will help you move all your belongings without them getting damp.

moving in the rain with an umbrella and car waiting overlay
Learning how to move during rainfall is a must

As the saying goes, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” That’s why, even before the moving company comes to the door to help you relocate, do everything in your power to protect the belongings. However, if you’re doing it for the first time, you’re probably wondering, how do you move when it’s raining or how do you cover furniture when moving in the rain? Apply everything we mention in this article, and all of your stuff will arrive dry at the desired destination.

Plan Ahead of the Big Day, and You’ll Be Ready for Anything

No matter if you are packing in a hurry or have five months to get ready for the relocation, a bit of planning will lower your relocation stress levels and make the whole process smoother. Good preparation will also ensure that no weather conditions surprise you on the big day.

A person waiting for the cross country movers to arrive overlay
Don't be surprised if it drizzles on the day you have to move out

Get Waterproofed Supplies When Moving in the Rain

Let’s be realistic. Your packing list doesn’t only consist of solid, non-breakable objects. Besides boxing up pots and pans, you will surely transport different easily breakable and sensitive objects. That’s why they need to be protected from all the weather conditions. Imagine rolling a massive TV on a truck when a downpour hits.

Electronics like that are extremely sensitive, and even the most negligible moisture levels can break them beyond repairs. That’s why one of the best relocation hacks when it comes to packing TVs and other sensitive electronics is to wrap them in plastic.

If you hire cross country movers, they will surely bring shrink and bubble wrap with them. However, if you are doing the whole thing yourself, obtaining waterproof supplies is a must.

Move With Confidence Get Free Quote

Don’t Forget to Protect Yourself on a Rainy Day

The safety of the belongings shouldn’t be the only thing on your mind when relocating. Don’t forget to protect yourself as well, because relocating during the rainy weather makes everyone prone to injuries and catching a cold. That’s why it’s crucial to minimize the risks.

When packing shoes, leave the waterproof boots unpacked and use them during the move. Also, when boxing up clothes, leave at least one change of clothes behind, just in case you get caught up in the downpour. Without it, there’s a much greater chance you’ll catch a cold. Don’t forget the umbrellas, caps or hats, and a long raincoat, and you’ll be ready.

Plastic wrap used by all cross country moving companies overlay
Find the best moving boxes but also get plastic wrap to waterproof them

Packing the Belongings Is an Essential Part of the Move

Although packing furniture is very different from boxing up fragile items, both will have to be mastered before the relocation. However, there won’t be any irreparable damage if you pack glasses and they somehow still get soaked. On the other hand, being caught in a storm with a poorly wrapped couch is an entirely different story.

When boxing up books, use plastic containers that will keep away all the water, and if you want to be 100% sure they are closed, seal them with tape. When wrapping an item, cover it with blankets first, then use a shrinking wrap. Try to donate furniture you no longer need, as this can help you save a lot of money on packing supplies. Finally, since it can get pretty slippery outside, put additional thought into padding the boxes. You don’t want to accidentally slip and fall with poorly padded dishes in your hands.

Use Various Materials When Preparing Items for Storage

One of the most common relocation mistakes people make when preparing their belongings for storage is leaving them unprotected. If you want to avoid losing valuables because of the mold and humidity, waterproofing them is a must. Remember, your belongings will probably stay in a storage unit for a while. If you don’t wrap them up correctly and they get wet, there is a very good chance they’ll get ruined.

Remember to pad the containers, use a lot of tape to close them, and bundle them in the shrinking wrap. If you are not entirely confident in your skills, hire professional packers and movers to do it.

Stacked plastic containers overlay
Plastic containers will keep your things secured no matter the weather conditions

Prepare Both Homes for the Move

Who wants to make a move-out cleaning longer than necessary? Nobody! Just imagine different people parading around with wet and muddy shoes around your house (because that’s what happens when it is raining outside). Preparing the home for the movers is one of the best relocation tips that will help you avoid scrubbing the carpets for days. With a few simple steps, you can prevent making the mess out of your residence:

  • Lay the welcome mat or a rug you no longer use and plan to throw away. This way, movers will be able to wipe their feet as they go in and out of your place.
  • Turn the heat up because the furnace will remove the moisture from the air.
  • Get all the old towels you can because if the rainfall gets heavy, you should have something to give the movers so they can wipe their hands and faces. If their hands are dry, your containers will be as well.
  • Lay the cardboard inside the house and create a no-slipping zone. With it, you’ll avoid injuries and falls.

All of this should be done in your new home as well. It will save you the trouble of additionally cleaning after all the containers are unloaded from the truck.

Stacked old newspapers overlay
Spreading old newspapers over the floor will save you from having to mop them constantly

Setting an Assembly Line When Moving Homes in the Rain Is a Must

If you want to load and unload the truck quickly during a rainy day, you’ll need a good system. Start by assigning one or two people to stay in the vehicle. They should be in charge of packing and organizing everything. This is important because the fewer people move from house to truck during the rainfall, the better.

Stationing people in specific places will allow you to keep water out of the house, lowering the risks of slipping and falling. Each person should have just one job, as this will significantly speed up the whole process. However, if you don’t have enough manpower to carry out the assembly line, it is advised to use professional services.

How to Prepare for Moving Stuff in the Rain?

Weather can surprise you, and even if you follow the local forecast, unexpected rainfall can quickly spoil your plans. However, this doesn’t mean you should put your move on hold. Just follow these tips for handling heavy weather conditions, and you’ll be fine:

  • Set a pop-up tent – The drying station should be right next to the truck, and the person carrying containers will have a place to clean themselves.
  • Unload items in one area – If you have a garage, that would be an ideal spot. This way, you are not carrying water and mud through the home. After all the boxes are stationed in one place, you can change shoes and clothes and move them to their designated rooms without making a mess.
  • Change the unloading order – You can move durable items during heavy rainfall and wait for it to stop before unloading electronics and bigger and softer objects such as sofas and mattresses.
A bunch of moving boxes overlay
Avoid making a mess by unloading everything in one spot

What to Do if It’s Raining on Moving Day? Be Ready to Manage Wet Items on the Go

Sometimes no matter how prepared you are, water will find a way to the boxes and dampen them. However, when that happens, don’t despair. You have to be prepared for a situation like that even before the move happens. So what do you need to do if it’s raining on the relocation day and some belongings get wet? Put some old towels aside and appoint one person that will be in charge of checking all the boxes as soon as they arrive at your new home.

The person should wipe everything, no matter if it seems dry. Not only does this minimize the damage of the dampened containers, but it will also prevent water from getting into your home. If a piece of furniture or a box suffered some damage, wipe them down as soon as they are delivered. Pad the wet spot with a towel and then dry it with a hair dryer or put the item near the heating source. Also, if you notice heavily damaged boxes, put them immediately on the ground. Wet cardboard will more than likely fall apart instantly, so try to empty it before all the items get ruined.

A person checking whether the long distance moving company delivered everything overlay
One person needs to be responsible for checking the state of all containers

Relocating During a Storm Is Much Easier if You Hire a Cross Country Moving Company

When all is said and done, you’ll see that DIY is more trouble than it is worth, especially when you live in a city with many rainy days throughout the year. This is why hiring cross country movers is the best decision you can make. However, do moving companies move in the rain? Although the simple answer is yes, remember that some moving companies are more equipped and experienced than others in handling the rainy weather moves.

If you hire professional movers, you’ll be able to relax while our highly trained crew takes care of your belongings. Depending on your needs, you can use our various cross country moving services. From car shipping to swift and professional packing services, the right team can help you with anything no matter the weather.

QUICK MOVING ESTIMATE

    Download as PDF Moving Checklist
    Get a Free Estimate 877-888-0708