You’ve been planning for this day for weeks, or even months — you’ve successfully packed and organized every single belonging — you even hired a moving company or your friend to help. And then, out of nowhere, the weather decided to make the whole process even more challenging; it started raining like the heavens opened up.
While the rain can cause a headache, there are ways to handle it properly so your items aren’t damaged and your new home doesn’t get muddy.
Here are five things to do when it rains on your moving day to help you have a successful and stress-free move.
Stay Calm
Yeah, I know … “stay calm” never actually calmed anyone down. But bear with me — as someone who’s helped move so many people, I can tell you with confidence that the rain won’t affect your move if you take the proper steps. Plus, it’s all about perspective. Maybe you will even get to see a rainbow from your new home.
I know staying calm is easier said than done, and I get it — the rain may not have been something you planned for, and that’s okay. Just try not to let it overwhelm you.
When you start getting stressed, the best thing to do is to take a moment to calm yourself or do whatever helps you stay calm. That can be a quick walk around the house, holding your child tight, playing with your pup, or simply taking a few deep breaths.
After you’ve gathered yourself, it’s time to take action.
Gather Supplies
When it rains on your moving day, the second thing you should do is start gathering supplies.
Grab towels, sheets, and any tarps you have from your packed items.
You’ll likely want to get out more cleaning supplies than you thought you’d need. Unpack mops, brooms, wipes, and any other cleaning items you’ll need to use after the move.
Whether you plan to clean right after the move or come back later after getting some rest, you’ll want these things out and easily accessible so you can do a quick clean.
Trash bags and plastic wrap will be great protectors, too. You can always ask your neighbors to borrow some of their supplies if you don’t have enough. Tarpaulin sheets are perfect if you have any furniture — the last thing you need is for the rain to damage that wooden table you love so much.
Take Precautions To Protect Items
Have the movers pull the moving truck as close as possible to your door or garage. Movers will understand the situation, and they’ll most likely help you.
Also, consider using sheets to hang above walkways if you can’t get the moving truck or cars close to your front door or garage.
If you’re moving with professional movers, they’ll likely put down floor tarps and carpet protectors, but if not, put your own down. You can use sheets or towels if you don’t have a tarp.
Towels and sheets can also be used to help protect items when moving items to the moving truck and wiping things down once you move. Ensure you take special care of materials and commodities affected by water like wood, steel, lamination, or fragile items.
Take Careful Care of Your Flooring
In this stage, you’ll probably start to get stressed more once you see all of the sludge piling up. If you’re prepared in advance and know what to expect, you may avoid the pulling-hair-out phase.
Tracking mud and water in and out of your home and apartment will leave a mess and become a safety hazard. To avoid this as much as possible, try putting towels, sheets, or something similar in the entrance of your home. Wipe your feet often so you don’t track even more dirt than necessary.
One way to limit the mess brought into your home is to use a bucket brigade or “conveyer belt” system. It means only certain people are walking outside, and certain people are moving things inside. This is a perfect strategy if you have someone to help you with the move.
Try to stay away from carpets as much as possible as they’re hardest to clean. Tile and other flooring take a quick wipe down in most cases, so you don’t have to worry about that.
Should You Reschedule?
It might be a little more work, but in most cases, moving during the rain is doable. Still, be aware that rescheduling may be your best option if the rain gets heavy.
If you can’t get cars or moving trucks close to your door or don’t have protective equipment like towels and sheets, it might be better to take care of your items and reschedule.
A professional moving company will know how to handle rain on a moving day so you don’t have to stress about it. Make sure to research the pros and cons of DIY moves versus hiring a professional. Keep in mind that hiring professional movers for your move will eliminate any rainy-day headaches.
