Moving In The Rain? Consider These Waterproof Packing Tips

Clear skies are ideal for moving day, but you won't always have cooperative weather on your side. Calling off a move at the first sign of rainfall isn't always an option, either. If you're on a tight schedule, your only option is to finish moving your belongings, rain or shine.

If the forecast calls for light to moderate rainfall on the day of your move, you'll want to pack your belongings with weatherproofing in mind. Here are a few tips you can use to protect your stuff against moisture while moving in wet weather.

Plan Your Movements

Knowing exactly what items you'll move, as well as how and when to move them, can help prevent unnecessary damage. Start by deciding which items are most vulnerable to moisture and water damage. Those items should be wrapped as watertight as possible and moved whenever there's a break in the rainfall. Other, less fragile items can be moved right away as long as they're in waterproof or highly water-resistant containers.

Use Plastic Covers to Protect Furniture and Other Items

Excess moisture can do a number on wood and upholstered furniture. Moving your dresser or coffee table without the appropriate cover can allow moisture to seep through, later resulting in furniture that bows or expands. When moving any piece of wood or upholstered furniture, keep it covered with high-quality drop cloths and plastic tarps.

The same goes for moving any other sensitive items, including electronics. When dealing with flatscreen TVs and other large appliances, make sure these items are carefully wrapped prior to packing and moving.

Consider Using Waterproof Containers

Plastic totes and tubs offer superior protection against moisture and rainfall, especially when compared to ordinary cardboard boxes. If you have any items you don't want to get wet, you'll want to pack it inside one of these containers. Make sure the plastic containers of your choosing are large enough and strong enough to handle a variety of heavy goods.

Protect Vulnerable Items With Garbage Bags

Garbage bags aren't just for taking out the trash. You can use garbage bags to protect items you definitely don't want to get wet, including clothing and paperback books. For instance, you can place your books and other paper items in a garbage bag and then pack the bag inside a box for added protection. You can also place garbage bags over clothes that are already mounted on hangars.

Garbage bags are also a good way to store and transport small electronics. For devices that are highly sensitive to static electricity, you'll need to keep these items inside of an appropriately sized anti-static discharge bag.

Shore Up Weak Boxes With Packing Tape

A little packing tape can go a long way towards strengthening cardboard containers and other boxes lacking in the structural strength department. Adding a few layers of packing tape around each corner of a cardboard box can help improve its strength under wet conditions. This way, you won't have boxes that bend or even break when exposed to a little moisture.

You can also use packing tape to seal up plastic containers and prevent water from getting inside. Carefully look for any gaps or openings that could potentially allow water to seep through unless they're taped up properly.

Keep Vulnerable Items Away from Exterior Walls

Your worries about wetness won't end with your belongings safe inside your moving van. Differences in exterior and interior temperatures can cause condensation to form on the inside of your moving van's exterior walls. The resulting moisture can find its way into nearby boxes, creating a mess you likely won't discover until it's too late.

Fortunately, you can avoid this unpleasant issue by keeping your boxes away from the exterior walls, whenever possible. Consider using pallets to keep your boxes inches off the moving van floor.

Contact moving companies for additional advice.

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