Moving House in the Rain

Check the weather regularly in the week before your move

The weather forecast for any given day can change suddenly, such is the way of Mother Nature, so regularly check in on what your moving day is forecast to encounter. Heavy rain, storms and gusty winds can all affect your ability to move and some removalist companies may suggest rescheduling in the case of truly extreme weather.

Wear the right clothing

Umbrellas are useless when you’re trying to carry boxes, so purchase raincoats (might we suggest ones made from breathable fabric!) for anyone in the family helping out with the move. They’ll want to wear light layers, as even the most breathable raincoats tend to keep you relatively warm. It’s also important that everyone involved wears solid, sturdy shoes with good grip to reduce the likelihood of slipping. Most brands of sneakers have rubber soles, which are pretty slip-resistant.

Book a cleaner

Dirt will get tracked through the house on a wet day, as removalists cannot remove their shoes every time they go in and out of your house, so book a professional carpet cleaner for the day after your move to ensure you leave the property in tip-top shape for the new owners or tenants. We also recommend leaving cleaning supplies behind to be the last items packed, as you may need them to clean up tiled floors or outdoor, undercover living areas.

Secure your boxes properly

The structure of your boxes will weaken in the rain, so we recommend packing and sealing them properly. This means heavier items on the bottom, lighter items on the top and lots of proper packing tape, as this is specially designed to stick to cardboard. Pack books in wine carton boxes to ensure they don’t get too heavy, nor are they likely to weaken the structure of already-weakened, wet boxes.

Allow for extra time

Moving during wet weather almost always takes longer than planned, as precautions must be taken, so we recommend you don’t book anything else in during the day of your move to allow for these delays to occur. Moves are already stressful enough, so keep your mind as calm as possible by not needing to rush off anywhere the moment the move has been completed.

Put out the towels

Towels, mats, blankets and other course materials laid out flat over potentially slippery surfaces (tiled areas, floorboards, etc) are supremely appreciated by removalists, as they reduce the likelihood of slipping when everything gets that little bit too wet. We recommend starting with towels and sheets you aren’t too precious about, as one or two may end up destroyed beyond repair.

Take a break

If the weather suddenly takes a massive turn for the worse, it’s alright to take a short break while it passes through. Sit down, make a cup of tea and, if needed, re-work your plans slightly. This might mean moving the truck closer to your front door (where possible), putting out more towels or replacing the ones you already have out. It might also mean pulling out the plastic sheets to protect any indoor furniture, which most removalists should have on hand for these sorts of situations.