Relocation during the monsoons is a harder task than relocating at any other time of the year. The rains may affect the condition of the road, create congestion, cause problems with loading/unloading and even result in moisture getting into your things.
But monsoon relocation doesn’t have to be difficult. If you just plan ahead and are ready for anything, you will be able to keep your furniture, appliances, papers, clothes and other things safe from the rain and moisture.
It all comes down to preparation and being prepared for the unexpected. Just a few precautions and you’ll be ready for anything.
Check the Weather Before Moving Day
The first thing to do before a monsoon move is to verify the weather forecast. The weather can fluctuate during the monsoon season, so do not depend on the weather forecast of a few days back only.
Verify the weather forecast of the day of your move and keep in touch with the packers and movers. In case of any heavy rainfall or storm, discuss whether the moving schedule should be revised or not.
This does not imply that you should cancel all moves because of rain. Rainfall at light intensity can be handled, while heavy rain may need special arrangements.
Choose the Right Moving Time
There is the question of timing in respect of house shifting during monsoon. If feasible, try and plan the loading/unloading process at such a time when you will experience less rain.
It may be advantageous to shift in the morning, but it also depends upon climatic differences across different places. What matters is to have some level of flexibility in planning.
Discuss the estimated time of arrival with the moving firm and ask about their procedures for handling weather-related problems.
Do not make an overly tight schedule since conditions on the roads during monsoon are likely to differ.
Use Waterproof Protection for Cartons
Carton boxes may become soft if exposed to water. Therefore, extra care is needed when moving during the rainy season.
Plastic sheets, stretch films, or any other waterproof materials must be used for carton boxes when required. Extra care must be provided to fragile and moisture-sensitive items.
Never put carton boxes on the wet ground. While loading or unloading carton boxes, try to place them on a dry surface.
In case of sudden rainfall while carrying items outside, having waterproof covers handy will help avoid any exposure to water.
Protect Furniture From Rain and Moisture
Protection of furniture becomes very challenging during the monsoon season due to the fact that big furniture pieces have to be transported outdoors during loading and unloading.
Wooden furniture can get damaged by moisture, whereas sofas, mattresses, and chairs made of fabric can soak water very easily.
Pack furniture carefully using sheeting or any other protective material. Care should be taken especially in case of sofas, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and other fabric furniture.
Do not put wet furniture into a closed room at once. If any furniture gets wet, it is important to dry it thoroughly before anything else.
Take Extra Care With Electronics
Water and electronics are a deadly duo. Computer, TV, kitchen appliance, games machine, printer and other electronic gadgets need to be secured carefully when shifting during monsoons.
Ensure that electronics are adequately packed and covered before transport out of your home. Whenever feasible, use original packing materials or alternative ones.
Keep electronics away from wet surfaces while loading and unloading.
When electronics get wet, do not turn them on at once. They have to be inspected and dried before using them.
Keep Important Documents Waterproof
Important documents need special consideration when it comes to moving during the rainy season. It will be quite challenging to replace a ruined document compared to an average household item.
Store all passports, identity documents, documents relating to your property, educational certificates, financial documents, insurance documents, and other important papers in waterproof portfolios or pouches.
Do not put these documents in normal moving boxes. Carry them with you throughout the trip as much as possible.
It is also advisable to have electronic copies of the most important documents.
Pack Clothes Carefully
The clothes may become musty due to moisture that develops in them as a result of getting damp during shipping or storage.
Prior to packing, ensure that all your clothes are fully dry. It is advised to use appropriate packaging to limit the effect of moisture.
Do not cram damp clothes into bags to finish packing faster, as even a little bit of moisture can turn into a problem due to long-term sealing.
Upon arrival at your destination, you should unpack your clothes as soon as possible and make sure that wardrobes and storage places are dry enough.
Protect Mattresses and Bedding
Mattresses, pillows, blankets, and other bedding items have the tendency to absorb water very fast. As they cannot be dried up easily, they need to be handled cautiously when moving in monsoons.
It is better to cover the mattresses in appropriate waterproof material before carrying them out into the open.
Bedding needs to be kept in airtight bags or covers.
In case some of the bedding gets wet, do not put it away into a cupboard. Let it dry first.
Be Careful With Kitchen Items
Care also needs to be taken for the items found in the kitchen. The glass ware, crockery, kitchen appliances, food storage containers, and other household items need to be safely stored and kept dry.
Ensure that the boxes having kitchen items are not stored in the vicinity of water. Keep the food items wrapped safely and see if they are okay when they arrive at the destination.
Liquid items like oil, sauce, and other cleaning liquids need to be securely packed since the leakage can spoil all the things kept in the box.
Keep a Monsoon Essentials Bag
Create your own pack for the moving day instead of stuffing all the stuff you need in your moving boxes.
Your monsoon bag may include umbrellas, raincoats, towels, additional clothes, plastic bags, tissues, drinking water, chargers, medicines, important documents, and some basic toiletries.
Keep the pack with you instead of loading it in your moving vehicle.
This can be very handy when you suddenly start getting rains or the journey becomes more extended than you have planned.
Protect the New Home During Unloading
The need for monsoon protection does not end when you arrive at your destination. Unloading involves getting wet shoes, cartons, and furniture into your home.
Ideally, you should try to have some of your old towels, rugs, plastic sheets, or any other protective material available near the entrance door.
It is important that you create a dry pathway from the entrance door to the room where you intend to place the items.
In case you are moving into an apartment, make sure you know the guidelines for unloading and loading during the monsoons.
Check the New Home for Leaks
Before putting your things inside the house, see if there are any visible indications of water leakage and/or seepage.
Ceiling, walls, windows, balconies, door areas should all be checked to see if there are any signs of water getting into the house. This is important because some of the things you have can be damaged by moisture.
Plan for Traffic and Road Delays
It is possible that rain could affect traffic in a negative way. There could be incidents of waterlogging, road work, accidents, and bad visibility which are not in your original plan.
It would be wise to have extra time between the arrival time and the planned meetings or activities in the new place.
In case of relocation to a different city, consult the moving company regarding the route and estimate the timeline for delivery.
Do not hurry the moving company and put their safety at risk.
Hire Experienced Packers and Movers
Monsoons call for extra caution especially while handling furniture, appliances, boxes, and other delicate items during the move.
An expert moving company can guide you on how to prepare your things for the move and load, transport, and unload them depending on the weather situation.
Before hiring such a moving company, find out what they do to ensure smooth moves in the rainy season. Also, learn about their measures to protect moisture-sensitive items.
It will be wise to have a discussion before moving day.
Don’t Rush the Unpacking Process
Once you have arrived at your destination, you will most likely be eager to begin unpacking. Yet, before you do, spend some time checking all your things.
Look through boxes for any traces of wetness and check your furniture, bedding, electronic devices, papers, and other valuable items.
If anything got wet, let it dry out before putting it away in a closet.
Only after that you can safely proceed with unpacking.
Final Thoughts
Moving houses during monsoons is a little more challenging than during dry weather conditions, but monsoon rains do not necessarily mean that you have to put off your relocation plans.
Ensure you have planned your move, check the weather forecast, wear protective clothing, carry your documents, secure furniture and electronic goods and pack a monsoon essentials box.
Most importantly, do not rush yourself. Delays may be a part and parcel of monsoon relocation due to the vagaries of weather, but you do not need to risk the lives and property of people by attempting to save time.
Sunrise Packers & Movers can assist in making monsoon relocations easier for you through efficient packing and management of your possessions. Be it securing your possessions while packing them or loading, transportation and unloading of the same, expert moving help can make monsoon relocations less physically demanding for you.