Tips for Moving in the Rain
Even with the best planning, sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas—like it raining on moving day. But a rainy forecast doesn’t mean your move has to be cancelled! The moving experts at U-Haul have put together the ultimate guide to help you tackle a rainy day move like a pro.
Preparing to Move in the Rain
While no one exactly plans to move in the rain, you can prepare for it!
Check the Weather Forecast
Once you’re about a week out from your move, keep an eye on the weather forecast. Even if there’s a slight chance of rain, this gives you a little extra time to assemble the help and supplies you’ll need.
Dress in Rainy Day Clothes
Rain jackets, hats, and sturdy, non-slip shoes are a must. Avoid anything with poor grip—wet surfaces are slippery, and you don’t want to risk a fall on moving day.
Prepare Slippery Areas
Entryways and steps become especially slick in the rain. Lay down absorbent mats or towels to dry shoes and reduce slips. Protect your floors with tarps or plastic sheeting to prevent water damage from muddy shoes or other wet items.
Preparing Your Truck or Moving Container for the Rain
Rain can make loading and unloading moving trucks and portable storage containers more dangerous, so set yourself up for safety.
Add Grip: Place a furniture pad or a non-slip mat inside the truck to keep your footing secure while loading.
Organize Strategically: Load heavy or non-water-sensitive items first and save fragile or protected items for last to reduce their exposure to the rain.
How Much Rain is Too Much?
While light rain doesn’t pose much of a challenge in most cases, heavy rain like thunderstorms or monsoons are a whole other story. If you are anticipating something more than just a light shower, consider pushing your move until it clears up a little.
When in Doubt, Get Storage!
In moments like this, climate-controlled storage can be a huge life-saver. With a climate-controlled unit, your items are kept at a standard temperature close to the ones we keep at home.
How to Protect Your Belongings When Moving in the Rain
Wrap Your Belongings
If your stuff is worth moving, it’s worth protecting! Even with a slight chance of rain, take steps to protect your most valuable items:
Furniture and Boxes: Wrap things like dressers and chairs in Mover’s Wrap, giving them a waterproof coating that you can wipe dry once it’s loaded into the truck! If you’re using cardboard boxes, it’s also a good idea to wrap those up too in order to keep the box strong and protect everything inside.
Mattress: Mattresses are heavy and especially prone to water damage. Protect it with a sealable mattress bag for easy protection and easy removal.
Television: On rainy days, throwing a blanket on your TV just won’t cut it. Give it an added layer of protection with the U-Haul® TV box! They’re especially made to keep your tv safe while in transit but also work as good protection from the rain, too!
Other Covers and Wraps: Did you know U-Haul sells couch covers? We even sell covers for rugs, computers, and even feet. Don’t let a little rain damage your items, protect them!
Get Water Resistant Boxes
Even we can admit that wrapping your boxes in additional Mover’s Wrap isn’t ideal, so why not try a Ready-To-Go Box®? These sturdy boxes are made from recycled plastic, making them resistant to water. On top of that, the sturdy clasp lid ensures that your items inside are safer from the rain compared to your regular old moving box.
Utilize Garbage Bags
For added rain protection and easy carrying, consider throwing some of your stuff into garbage bags! This is especially useful for clothing and fabrics, since they’re lighter to carry and have a higher chance of getting ruined in the rain.
Moving Day Tips
Invest in Moving Help®
Moving in the rain can really slow the process down and make it harder for a small group. In cases like this, consider enlisting some Moving Help! The Moving Help Marketplace® connects you with high quality moving assistance in your area. All you need to do is specify how many moving helpers you need, how long you need them, and where they should meet you!
Inside Crew and Outside Crew
Keep things clean and efficient by splitting your team in two:
Indoor Crew: Prepares and stages boxes and furniture.
Outdoor Crew: Handles the loading and transport.
This minimizes mud and moisture tracked inside and keeps the process flowing.
Do It Assembly Line Style
Form a human chain from your home to the truck or container. This helps maintain footing, speeds things up, and keeps your floors dry!
Find Ways to Shorten Your Route
If you have a garage or covered entry, use it to your advantage. Back your truck or container up as close as possible to the door. No garage? Plan a clear, efficient route with the least exposure to the elements.
Get Your Move Insured!
Moving in the rain usually means driving in the rain. And you know people cannot be trusted driving in the rain! Protect yourself, your belongings, and your rental by investing in Safemove®.
For rainy moves, we also recommend upgrading to SafeTrip®, which gives you added roadside assistance in case of emergency. So, whether you get stuck in mud, lose your keys, or run out of gas, we can send someone out to help!
Rain or Shine, U-Haul has Your Back
Whether you’re moving in the cold, the extreme heat, or somewhere in between: U-Haul is here to make every time of move easier! From our wide variety of truck rentals, moving containers, storage options, and moving supplies, U-Haul is your one-stop shop for all things moving.
Ready to get started? Fill out the form below and let’s move!