Moving on a Rainy Day: A Step-By-Step Guide

Keep safety first when moving in the rain

Safety should be a priority for any move, but it’s especially important when moving on a rainy day. Slippery surfaces can be dangerous to you or your helpers, and prolonged exposure to water might damage your belongings.

Ideally, waiting until dry weather is best for moving, but when that isn’t possible, there are some ways to make the most of moving in the rain. Let’s review some tips to keep everyone and everything safe.

A step-by-step guide for moving in the rain

Follow these steps to protect people and your things from the rain:

Step 1: Prepare your rainy-day moving kit

When rain is in the forecast for moving day, you’ll need extra supplies to stay dry and protect your stuff. Here’s what you’ll want on hand: 

• Cardboard
• Large trash bags (or contractor’s bags)
• Packing tape
• Plastic covers or wrap
• Rain boots or waterproof hiking boots
• Raincoats or ponchos (umbrellas aren’t much help while moving)
• Rope or twine (and scissors to cut it)
• Tents or tarps
• Towels or blankets and washable rugs 

Step 2: Keep a close watch on the weather 

Check local weather conditions to see if shifting the loading day can keep you dry. When moving with U-Pack®, you have up to three business days to load or unload, which helps when you need to adjust plans. 

If you can change the moving day, use the extra time to better organize your loading plan and pack last-minute things. It’s also a good time to confirm utility services at the new place or research what to expect in your new town.

If changing the loading day isn’t possible, check the hourly weather report on the morning of the move. Forecasts can change overnight, and you might be able to adjust your loading schedule to take advantage of breaks in the weather. Avoid being outside during severe storms with lightning or hail.

Step 3: Set up a dry staging area

Set up a dry staging area near your home’s entrance, in a garage or under a tent. Use the protected space to organize items before loading. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Assign crews if possible. Separate helpers into an inside crew to bring items to the staging area and an outside crew to load things into the truck or moving container.
• Use the space as a drying area. If you don’t have enough people for separate crews, the space can still help keep belongings dry by providing a spot for everyone to dry off before going back inside.
• Protect the loading path. If the truck is parked close, consider covering the walkway between the staging area and the moving equipment with tents or tarps to keep everyone (and everything) dry.

Step 4: Cover the floors

Wet or muddy floors are messy and can become slick, increasing the risk of falls as people walk around. 

Protecting the floors is recommended for all moves, but carpet film needs extra care during rainy weather. Cover the film with cardboard or dry it regularly since pooling water can make it slippery.

Place heavy rugs outside the home and the moving equipment to catch mud and water. Inside, tape down cardboard to absorb any remaining moisture as people walk in. Avoid using lightweight rugs or towels, which can be tripping hazards. 

Step 5: Protect water-sensitive belongings

If you’re loading outdoor patio furniture, a little water won’t hurt, but loading other things in the rain can be trickier. Fortunately, properly packing items for a move is the first step in protecting them from water damage. Just add a waterproof barrier with plastic sheeting, stretch wrap or trash bags, and you’re all set to move in the rain.

Here are more tips to protect different types of belongings from moisture:

Appliances and electronics

Cover large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers) with moving blankets and seal with plastic stretch wrap to keep moisture out. Smaller appliances and electronics should be packed in boxes. (See the next section for help with waterproofing boxes.)

Note: If you’re moving a dryer, consider keeping it hooked up to dry wet clothing or towels, and then load it last.

Cardboard boxes

Light rain won't harm heavy or wax-coated cardboard boxes. To protect boxes in heavy rain, cover them with plastic stretch wrap, trash bags or disposable painting tarps and seal all seams with packing tape.  

Dry all boxes before stacking them in the moving equipment to prevent slipping. 

Furniture

Too much moisture might cause mold or mildew on cloth furniture, so keeping furniture as dry as possible is best. 

Here’s how to protect different types of furniture from the weather: 

• Cloth. Cover upholstered items with plastic stretch wrap to keep them dry during heavy rain. A moving blanket will help in light rain or mist.
• Leather or wood. Real or synthetic leather and wood pieces should be covered with a moving blanket, followed by plastic stretch wrap for the best protection.
• Metal or plastic. Any prep you’ve done to protect this furniture for moving should be fine in the rain since these pieces are typically waterproof. 

Mattresses

Your best bet is to pack your mattress in a plastic mattress carrying bag. Find them online or at most home improvement stores or large discount retailers. 

Step 6: Wear proper rain gear

The best protection to help you stay dry is a good raincoat or poncho paired with rain boots or waterproof hikers. Whichever shoe you choose, make sure it has good tread to prevent slipping.

Keep towels in the staging area and at the door of the moving equipment to dry yourself and prevent water from dripping on the floors.

Step 7: Take your time

Expect delays on rainy days, but don’t rush while loading belongings into the moving equipment. Going too fast increases the likelihood of injuries, especially in bad weather. 

Choose a flexible mover like U-Pack to handle all weather conditions

If you’re still planning an out-of-state move, don’t miss out on a quote from U-Pack. We’re a DIY moving service that offers up to three business days to load and unload the equipment. That gives you more time to wait out a rainy day!

U-Pack’s services are perfect for many types of unique moving circumstances, including bad weather. Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a helpful moving consultant or request a quote with our convenient online form.