Moving in bad weather

This article is reprinted from Wine Country Real Estate, a special advertising section of The Press Democrat.

In Sonoma County, let alone California in general, moving in bad weather tends to be a seasonal issue or just a case of plain bad timing. Unfortunately when you have to move, you have to move regardless of what Mother Nature might have planned for that week.

Luckily with proper planning, organization, and preparation, the impact of moving in bad weather can be minimized. Rather than worrying about soaked boxes and ruined furniture, you can focus on unpacking and getting your new space together which is a much more positive use of your time! Here are some tips for moving in bad weather.

Check weather reports.

While this might seem a bit like a no-brainer, it does pay to check on the weather as the move date gets closer. Storm patterns can shift and if you have even a little flexibility you might be able to start before or after a storm hits. Even on moving day, checking the hourly weather breakdown can help plan your day and when to stop for breaks.

Create a overall plan.

• Depending on the number of people available and space you are working with, you might have a few options for loading and unloading. If you have groups of people available then assign tasks and locations with people inside the house carrying things to the entryway, runners going from the door to the truck and people inside the truck to pack. This keeps the floors dry and things moving quickly.

• For those with a garage or large porch, consider using this as a staging area, which can be very helpful when you have less people to work with.

• Check that you have packing materials for the bad weather (see list below).

Protect your possessions:

• Pack in moving boxes. Quality cardboard moving boxes are fairly resistant to the elements. When taped properly on the top and the bottom, they can easily handle moderate elements. Of course you don't want them to sit in the rain or water because they can get soggy.

• Consider mattress pads. Along with protecting a mattress, the plastic pad or bags that are sold for this purpose can also be used to cover many other items such as chairs, bookshelves and tables. You can also check with a big box hardware store for thin plastic drop clothes used for painting or other projects.

• Use plastic wrap. Household plastic wrap is perfect to protect artwork and even certain furniture. Industrial sized wrap can be purchased at moving stores or big box hardware stores as well.

• Use trash bags. Yard-sized trash bags are just the right size to go over groups of clothes on hangars, pillows or cushions.

• Moving blankets. Movers always want you to rent those blankets they provide and during bad weather is the time to do it. Wrap furniture in blankets or even old sheets to protect them.

• Careful with electronics and appliances. Rain and snow can cause the most damage to electronic device and even appliances. These should be wrapped carefully and completely and possibly, in the case of electronics, moved in a car or at another time.

Prep the old space.

• Check moving vehicles for leaks, including personal vehicles. In a pinch duct tape can temporarily fix small leaks.

• Lay rugs or towels in the entryway or front porch areas of the house to minimize mud or water going in the house.

• Lay rugs, towels, or a moving blanket just inside the moving truck so you can minimize water getting in the truck and onto your possession.

Prep the new space.

• Lay rugs or towels near doors that you will walk through to keep from tracking mud or water.

• If you have a garage, consider using that as a staging area to bring in furniture and boxes from a truck so they can be dried off and unwrapped prior to going inside.

• Make sure the utilities are on, especially if it is cold, so the house is warm.

• If you happen to have a portable outdoor shade canopy, you can use it to extend your porch or even to make a dryer walkway. This can be done at the new or old space, or even both if you break it down and take it with you.

Protect yourself.

• Make sure that you and the people helping you move are wearing boots or sneakers meant for bad weather. Good traction is very important in wet or slippery conditions, especially when carrying heavy items.

• Work gloves with rubber grips are also another good idea. Along with keeping hands warm they help with gripping furniture even if wet.

• If weather is a possibility make sure to have the proper gear available such as ponchos or rain jackets. Wet clothes are heavy, chafe and can catch more easily on corners or furniture along with being cold and uncomfortable.

Moving is already a difficult process; adding bad weather to the mix can make it feel like an impossible mission. However, with good planning and an organized approach, weather can be minimized allowing you to focus your energy fully on the task at hand!