How to Survive Moving in the Rain | Long Distance USA Movers

How to Survive Moving in the Rain

Most of us prefer to be singing in the rain rather than relocating in it, yet the choice is not always ours to make. Moving in the rain can be scary, for sure. But, if you play your cards right and follow our guide, you’ll be good to go. To learn how to relocate even on the stormiest of days, keep on reading.

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Rainy days aren't ideal for relocation, but sometimes you don't have another option

Is It Ok to Move in the Rain?

If this is your first time relocating, and the weather forecast is not looking good, you might develop a fear of relocation, or your anxiety about relocating to a new state might increase significantly. You might even start questioning your reasons to move and all the benefits of relocating because although summer is the most popular season for relocating, it is also the most expensive one.

Since many people have a strict relocation budget, they often prefer not-so-popular times of the year, and relocating in fall or winter doesn’t sound so bad if it will save you a few extra bucks. So, statistically, it seems as if a lot of folks changing their address might have to be prepared for multiple scenarios when relocating to a new city. That being said, it’s completely fine to move in the rain, you just need to know how to move during the cold weather months.

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If you plan on relocating during the not so popular rainy months, you might have to prepare more than just an umbrella

With the Best Tips for Moving in the Rain, Your Relocation Day Won’t Be Affected By the Bad Weather

So, how do you move when it’s raining? Well, if you wish to move out safely in the period when it rains the most, you’ll have to figure out your relocation process. We’ve compiled a list of the ultimate relocation tips to get you through the move and remind you of all those things you otherwise might forget to do. These tips and relocation hacks will help you with the following:

  • Packing your fragile items in a rainfall-friendly way,
  • Knowing what to expect from long distance movers and their packing services, if the weather is bad,
  • Figuring out the safest way to act on the relocation day,
  • Dealing with stray water after you move your load inside the house.
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If You Expect to Be Moving Homes in the Rain, You’ll Have to Have Your Items Properly Packed

If you live in a place where it’s raining quite regularly, the first step on your to-do list should be to check the weather forecast before moving stuff in the rain. Just ensure you do it before packing your stuff, as your packaging process might differ greatly if there is some rainfall in the cards. And since you’ll need a raincoat to move efficiently, don’t think that your load won’t require its own version of a protective cloak. Rather, get some plastic sheets, comforters, and even shrink wrap, and you’ll be good to go.

How Do You Cover Furniture When Moving in the Rain?

When it comes to packing furniture, as well as other things for a stormy move, expect plastic wrap to become your best friend. While packing glasses and other dishes might not differ greatly depending on the forecast, other things, such as velvet couches and books will have to be boxed up with the utmost attention.

If you don’t want your paper, cotton, and other items to get ruined, you’ll have to cover the boxes with plastic wrapping. Most people, when thinking about covering furniture, gravitate towards the usual plastic sheets as their main water repellent. However, these are too thin to protect your stuff from heavier showers, so if you don’t want your materials ruined, be sure to obtain comforters to cover them with.

Free Alternative Materials Can Help You Protect Your Items on a Rainy Day

Most people don’t think about their regular house items as aiding objects in hard times. However, if you had to pack to move in a hurry and forgot to check the forecast, this might be the only option you have. Additionally, if you have to move on a budget and your relocation expenses checklist doesn’t allow you to go out and about buying shrink wrap, these free alternatives will surely be life-saving.

So, to save money and handle last-minute problems, we suggest using plastic bags for ice and food to pack up anything that might be destroyed in contact with water. This goes for items like jewelry prone to rusting, notebooks, and makeup brushes, as well as some smaller artwork you might have laying around. Garbage bags are also amazing and can be used to additionally protect larger artwork pieces as well as serve as emergency protection for your already packed boxes. All you have to do is put a box in one or two bags, and you can be almost certain not even a raindrop will get to your belongings. Just don’t forget to put a piece of transparent tape over your box labels to protect them.

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Classic wrapping materials will have to be reinforced to survive rainfall

Wear Water-Proof Clothes in Case the Forecast Predicts a Storm

So, now that you’ve protected your items, it’s time to take care of yourself. So, what to do if it’s raining on moving day? Well, the first thing is to ensure you haven’t packed the shoes that are waterproof before the move starts. Once you have your rubber boots in order, reach for the raincoat. Be sure you don’t wear anything too loose or long, that might get soaked more easily. This way, you’ll get to reach your new home dry as a whistle.

Decide on the Quickest Route to the Truck Before You Start Taking Your Boxes Up and Down the Stairs

If you want to keep yourself and your clothes as dry as possible, it’s crucial that you shorten the distance between your door and the truck. You should thus spend some time considering which route is not only the shortest but the safest as well. Remember – running over wet grass is too often a one-way ticket to a broken bone. So, just ensure that the crew providing you with long-distance moving services park as close as possible to your entrance – and that will be pretty much enough.

Pack Up a Change of Clothes to Get Put On as Soon as You Reach the New Place

Sometimes, no matter how well you waterproof your clothes, and how wisely you consider the route to the truck, your socks and sleeves still end up wet. So, in order to avoid any lingering colds make sure you pack a comfy change of clothes in a bag you’ll have by your side. Remember, just because you’re relocating during summer, it doesn’t mean you can’t get sick. And to move safely is about more than just throwing out your back.

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A raincoat is an easy way to assure you don't end up drenched

What to Do After You’ve Reached Your New Address While It Was Pouring Cats and Dogs?

Although you’ve managed to take your things into the truck, don’t think that the job is done. Half of the heavy lifting is done, but there is still a bit more to do. So, how to best finalize your move in a storm? Well, you’ll have to prepare your new home, and we’ll tell you how.

Make Sure You Cover the Floors and Protect Them From Water Before the Cross Country Movers Reach the Address

The first thing you want to do is protect the floors from water. You’ll start by placing a welcome mat in front of the door so that the long distance movers can wipe their shoes from the water and mud. While a welcome mat will help somewhat, it won’t do the trick all by itself.

That’s why you’ll want to take some old cotton materials, such as long rags, and create a path people will walk on. That way, any residue water, and dirt will surely be maintained, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning before and after relocation.

Create a Drying Station in Front of the Door

If you aren’t overwhelmed by relocation stress and have some time to spare, you could make a drying station outside of your home. The easiest way to do so is by opening up a small tent. That way, your load will have a bit of time to dry. Or, if you’ve protected the boxes with garbage bags, this is where you’ll take them off in order to bring only clean, dry boxes into your home.

Unpack as Soon as Possible

Normally, unpacking after a move can sometimes last for days, even weeks. But, when the weather is sabotaging your relocation, you’ll need to hurry up with the unpacking process too. Of course, you don’t have to unpack everything at once. However, all the wet boxes or even vaguely moist ones will have to be emptied as soon as possible. After all, if you spent so much time on your packing list and process, it would be a shame if your objects became moldy or ruined.

Double-Check Your Items Upon Arrival if You Plan to Use a Storage Unit

If you’re also getting storage services on a rainy day to take the surplus of your items to a storage unit, you’ll have to go through a few extra motions. Since these boxes or furniture will be sitting alone in the unit for some time, you want to make sure everything is surely dry. This is important because you won’t get the chance to check out your things and fix them as you go. So, to avoid anything getting ruined in the long haul, just double-check everything before you lock up the unit.

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The moment you arrive at your new house, start unpacking things that are easily ruined by humid conditions - the rest can wait

Do Moving Companies Move in the Rain?

Pretty much every long-distance moving company conducts relocation services even in bad weather. However, it all depends on the specific case, that is, the severity of the storm and the company’s policy. However, if the professionals assess that the weather could impact the safety of the driver or would obstruct the move, they might provide you with different relocation dates in a timely manner. Just make sure you communicate with the movers promptly and trust that they will do their best job.

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Trust that the professionals will help you out the most in difficult circumstances

Find Helpers That Will Be by Your Side No Matter the Weather

Even if you’re relocating to another state alone, this is not a situation you want to be left on your own. All of your boxes and packing supplies might get ruined, and you can forget about moving efficiently. It might not be the best way to meet your new neighbors by asking them to help you while it’s pouring, so ensure you have a few friends who will be ready to jump in, just in case you need a helping hand or two.

Gemma Collins

Gemma is an NJ local that has explored all the US states, making her the perfect person to write about moving.


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