Tips for Moving During the Winter
Winter is here, and moving during these weather conditions can make your move more difficult and tenser than moving in summer, spring, or fall. That’s especially true if you are coming from warmer regions and you are not used to cold weather. To make your move a little bit easier, we prepared some helpful tips for moving during the winter.
Make arrangements with your moving company
These days, there are many moving companies, and you will need some time to find the most suitable one for you and your requirements. Whether you are considering moving your belongings by yourself or hiring a moving company- it will be better to start with the organization on time. Like this, one task will be over, and in the meantime, you will have enough time to prepare and plan your move.
Check the weather forecast
There are no guarantees how the weather will be on your moving day, despite all weather reports. The only thing you can do is to be mentally prepared for every unexpected situation so you can act quickly if snow and ice are on the way.
Use the proper equipment for winter
In the winter season, you are not dealing with ideal weather, and if your belongings stay outside for a long time, they can get damaged. To protect your items from bad weather conditions, you need to use quality packing supplies, such as bubble wrap, which will be preserving all your electronics or paper items from damage. Afterward, pack them carefully in plastic boxes. If you have small items, place them separately in wrapping paper, with a lot of crumpled paper or plastic between the stuff, in case you have a larger box. One more idea, if you do not have enough supplies to wrap your belongings, use some of your old clothes or blankets to cover and secure them from cold weather.
Protect your furniture and floor
Walking outdoors in the winter and then coming inside the house can make a mess of your flooring, especially if you have carpets. The best things that you can use in these areas are:
- Carpet protection film (Transparent and self-adhesive film protection, it is flexible and doesn’t move, it is safe to stay on your carpet for up to 45 days, without leaving any sticky trash behind after removal)
- Floor protection film (The film is durable to any holes or cuts from any vehicles, heeled shoes, or other pointed objects);
Also, to protect your furniture against damage caused by water and moisture, you should do:
- Disassemble larger furniture and pack each piece individually. Also, wrap the furniture in blankets and plastic wrap;
- In the situation of rain or snow outside, use tarps to provide extra protection of your stuff when taking them out of your home and transferring them to the moving truck.
Shifting mattresses in bad weather can be a risky job. A little rain can ruin it when the beds are getting soaked. As a consequence, mildew starts developing on the porous material and affects the entire mattress. To avoid this situation, purchase mattress pads or protective material to cover your bed before movers start shifting your belongings.
Clean sidewalks and driveways in front of your house
Before you start loading anything into the moving truck, car, or storage container, make sure to create a safe environment for you and the people who are helping you with your move in order to avoid injuries when moving. Snow and ice are the most common reasons for injuries during winter, therefore, do not forget to clean your sidewalks, driveways in front of the house before you begin to transfer your stuff. Using a de-icer or anti-icer on your steps and sidewalks is an adequate solution. The last thing you want is to slip and fall, causing injury and breaking fragile items.
Choose the proper clothes for cold weather
When you are going on a voyage where you can expect cold winter weather, the priority will be to keep yourself warm. Thus, choose your clothes according to season and weather conditions. It is best to dress in layers so you can undress and drop extra clothes when it starts to get too hot. Furthermore, always choose to wear waterproof and slip-proof boots to combat snow, hail, rain, etc. Do not forget that the clothes you choose are not supposed to be tight. Instead, they must be more comfortable because you have to carry and shift boxes around during unpacking.
Prepare your car ahead
Moving during winter weather can be very tricky. Even more so if you do not have driving experience with these weather conditions at all. So, what kind of equipment do you need in this situation?
- Sturdy ice scraper, snow brush, shovel, flashlight, and jumper cables (one of the most crucial things to keep in your car during winter);
- Gloves and other winter clothing( Wearing gloves and other warm clothing will be necessary for this voyage)
- Blanket (it is always useful to have one extra blanket in the car, in case of any emergency)
- Rock salt, sand, or kitty litter (These materials will help your tires reach traction when your vehicle is caught in the snow)
- First aid kit (this is one of the most important things to keep in your car in case of any injuries, especially during the winter because ambulance response time may be slow if it is snowing).
- Rope or chain (this is a great tool to get your car out of the snow)
Listen to the advice of experienced professionals
As we said before, moving during wintertime can be different from relocation in spring or summer. For that reason, you should consider hiring cheap Brooklyn movers who have more experience in this field. Anyway, movers cannot control the weather condition, but they will be less stressed than you in unexpected situations because of their rich experience. Listen to their concerns – if the roads are unsafe, then it will be better to delay the move for a while than risking your possessions. Do not hesitate to give us a call and request a free estimate.