Tips for Moving in Bad Weather

mailbox

The day has finally arrived to start your exciting journey to a new location. While you may wake up hoping for sunshine and clear skies, you may be met by dark clouds and rainfall instead. However, that doesn’t mean the undesirable conditions outside have to put a damper on your moving plans.

You’ve picked out and purchased your next residence, packed all of your belongings neatly into the moving truck and are ready to set forth on your new journey. Don’t let lousy weather keep you from finishing off the moving process. With a few tips in mind, you’ll be ready to move in any condition — rain or shine.

Moving During Bad Weather — Storms, Snow and Rain

Unfortunately, the weather doesn’t always cooperate when we most need it to. Whether it’s on your wedding day or during a day you anticipate traveling across the country to your new house, the first few trickles of rain or flurries may cause moans of disappointment and despair. But life must go on.

It is important to note that anything wet — including rain and snow — poses harm to your possessions. While you may not be anticipating bad weather, it’s always best to prepare for the unexpected.

Safeguard Your Belongings

While your first thought upon looking out the window at the dreary weather may be “I don’t want to get wet,” you should also add your belongings to the list of things that should stay dry. To make sure your possessions arrive at your new destination safe and dry, we recommend keeping the following tips in mind:

  • Don’t skimp on packing materials: Even if you’re able to forgo packing some of your possessions, you may want to consider wrapping up and placing all of your belongings into containers during especially bad weather. As you load and unload, water will inevitably touch whatever items are unprotected. Extra care guarantees your belongings stay safe and dry.
  • Use waterproof bins and containers: While cardboard boxes are sturdy and typically withstand usage well, don’t take the risk of water seeping into your belongings during bad snow or rain storms. Invest in waterproof bins or containers to ensure the contents within stay dry — even when water pours nonstop outside.
  • Shrink wrap and seal when necessary: If you’re moving, you want to save space. When you’re moving and it’s raining or snowing, your requirement to make fewer trips to your moving truck sky-rockets. Using shrink wrap helps store more clothing and bedding in one container. Not only does this equate to fewer bins to haul, but the added sealing protects against potential water damage.
  • Seal shut and tight: When closing up boxes, don’t just fold the corners under one another and call it a day. Invest in heavy-duty duct tape to seal up your boxes to ensure outside elements don’t seep inside.

Set up a System

If it’s raining or snowing, the last thing you want to do is spend countless hours outside loading up your van or car. You don’t want your belongings to get wet, and you also don’t want to get drenched in the process, either.

If possible, round up a crew of family and friends who are willing to help you move — even in unideal conditions. Put a system in place where everyone is responsible for packing certain items. Not only will your packing process go smoothly, but you and your possessions will be loaded up and ready to go in no time.

What to Keep in Mind When Moving in Snow: Tips and Strategies

While the rain may seem unbearable, snow poses a whole other set of issues. When moving in the snow, it’s important to implement a few cautionary measures while keeping a few other tips in mind:

  • Dress for the weather: Wear weather-resistant boots to avoid slipping while loading up your moving truck. Bundle up to stay warm and consider wearing a rain jacket so any snowflakes or raindrops bead right off.
  • Keep your vehicle close: Park your vehicle — whether it’s a moving van or your personal car — as close to your home as possible. You don’t want to have to travel several hundred feet through the snow just to load one box.
  • Drive cautiously: When you’re all packed and ready to head out, remember to drive with caution. Your vehicle is full of possessions that can easily move around if you stop too suddenly or slide on the snow or ice. If the conditions are too bad outside, trust your gut and consider postponing your move until another day.

Mid Atlantic Van Lines — Assistance When You Need it

Don’t face the dreary weather alone.

GET A FREE QUOTE

At Mid Atlantic Van Lines, our team of certified movers knows just how to transport your belongings even when the sun isn’t shining. Contact us to speak with a representative about our moving services today.

How to Pack Fragile Items for Moving

Packaging Fragile Items

Let’s face it, some of the most beautiful items in your house may also be some of the least durable. Your antique crystal set of plates are to die for, but they’re more delicate than anything else you’ve ever owned. One little drop or slight slip, and your most favored possessions could end up in sharps and ruins.

Whether your fondest possessions are crystal or glassware, don’t let the fear of moving fragile items hover over you during your next move. Follow a few of our tips for packing fragile items to ensure your favored possessions remain immaculate and spotless:

1. Be Patient

Whether you’ve purchased a new house or apartment, you may be more than just a little excited to arrive at your new destination. We get it. The waves at your new beach house are calling you in the distance. Don’t just throw all of your belongings in a box and call it a day, though. You don’t want to have your excitement dissipate into disappointment when you realize your great grandmother’s glass bird collection is now a messy array of broken wings and one-legged blue-jays.

Ensure your delicate items receive the packaging they require and deserve by setting aside the appropriate amount of time to properly wrap and box them up beforehand. You shouldn’t wait until the day before your move to quickly wrap your glassware and dishes in some crumpled up newspaper and finish them off by tossing them all in one big box. Ideally, you should start prepping about a month in advance and take the time to neatly and carefully package each item individually.

2. Buy the Right Boxes

If you’re looking to cut corners by packing all of your delicate items in one large box marked FRAGILE on the outside, don’t. While your box may say fragile and project an aura of safety and security, you may just find your beloved belongings have transformed into an unrecognizable array of broken pieces.

Sometimes, more is better. This is especially true when packing your delicate materials. Purchasing more boxes ensures you don’t have to worry about multiple pieces banging against one another during the relocation process. Size-specific boxes that will accurately match up to the dimensions of the products you are placing inside often work best, too. For example, you don’t need a giant storage box to move one little crystal bowl.

Also, while you may have a bunch of boxes hanging around your basement from your last move, don’t be tempted to reuse them. Old boxes may become weak and flimsy over time, especially in damp environments, such as a basement, or humid surroundings, such as an attic.

3. Use the Proper Packing Materials

You may have a bunch of unread newspapers laying around, but think twice before you use The New York Times to wrap up your glassware and fragile materials. Newspaper leaves behind a black residue from the ink, which necessitates a thorough cleaning of your items after moving. Towels are as plentiful as newspapers, but they pose issues as well. Towels and cloths fail to keep materials in place and can be slippery.

To ensure your materials arrive safely in one piece, use bubble wrap and packing materials to wrap your items. While you may be tempted to skip the added expenses of packing-specific materials, your investment will be well worth it when your delicate wares arrive safely.

4. Hire Movers Who Pack for You

Moving in general is sometimes stressful, but transporting delicate materials? That’s in a whole other ballpark of pressure. Whether you’re still unsure how best to package your fragile crystals or don’t want to risk your fine china set arriving in shattered pieces, you’ll be glad to know there are professionals who can take care of everything so you don’t have to.

Professional movers are skilled in wrapping, packing and safely transporting your items from point A to point B. Don’t let the stress of moving keep you from brimming with the excitement and happiness you deserve.

GET A FREE QUOTE

Searching for a moving service that offers relocation services for you and your family? Look no further! Mid Atlantic Van Lines is one of the best packing and moving companies you can use. Whether you need the extra assurance of quality transportation or require an extra helping hand in ensuring your valuable materials retain their worth, we’re ready to help your move proceed smoothly and efficiently.

How to Pack for a Move

Packing for a Move

You’ve scoured the market far and near for the perfect home. You’ve picked your dream location, and now you’re ready to embark on an exciting life journey in your new home. You may be ready to jump in your car and head over to your new apartment or home — but don’t forget to pack all of your possessions first.

Don’t wait until the day has come to move to toss all of your belongings into one giant box and head over to your new residence. Packing may not be a fun task — but it is a necessary one.

How to Pack for a Move Across Town

You shouldn’t let the excitement and thrill of a new move simmer at the thought of wrapping, boxing and transporting all of your belongings. With a few key points in mind, you’ll be on your way to your dream home with all of your furniture, electronics and favored possessions with you:

1. Break Down Your Tasks

If you attempt to pack every single item and product in your home in a single day, you’ll find yourself faced with an insurmountable task. Pace yourself. Take the time you need to properly and efficiently pack all of the items in your home.

The idea of packing up may not exactly cause feelings of happiness or excitement, but you can make the task less daunting by aiming to pack a specific number of boxes each day. Start with clearing out one room before moving onto the next. You’ll be able to quickly see your progress and feel accomplished rather than overwhelmed.

2. Carefully Consider What to Pack First When Moving

Where to start? As you begin to scan your dining room, kitchen and master bedroom, you may begin to wonder —what should I begin to put away first?

Think about the items you will need won’t need for a while and which items you’ll require immediately upon first arriving at your new location. Necessities, such as medication, hygienic products and sheets and covers, will all need to reach your home the very first day. Electronics like your TV, however, you may not need right when you get there.

It’s important to keep in mind that packing is not an activity that can be done properly in one day. You may take multiple trips to your new place and will need your daily necessities when you first arrive. If you’re moving across the state and do in fact transport all of your possessions in one large van, be sure to keep your most needed possessions within arm’s reach for easy access upon arrival.

3. Pack Efficiently and Wisely

Just because it may look like all of your electronics could fit into one large packing box doesn’t mean this is where they should go during the move. When packing, don’t cut corners in an attempt to save resources or time. In the long run, you may cause more harm than good if your prized-possessions arrive broken or damaged.

Purchase the proper packing materials to ensure your products receive the protection they deserve during the move. Use bubble wrap and packing tissue to wrap your supplies. When choosing the right boxes, pick dimensions appropriate for the items that will fill them. The idea that more is better applies to your supply of packing boxes and cartons. Avoid over-packing your items into one packing box to ensure everything arrives neatly at its new destination.

4. Organize, Organize, Organize!

There is nothing more upsetting than wanting one specific item and not knowing where exactly to find it. Avoid unnecessary stress by implementing a few systematic tips.

Always pack items with their appropriate accessories in one location. You won’t expect to find your HDMI cord for your TV in with a box of perfumes and cologne, but this may just be the first place you thought to toss it. If possible, place items in their original boxes for easy identification.

You don’t want your moving truck to look like a myriad of identical boxes — giving you no real hint as to what is inside. Use dark, legible words to label the contents of each box. Unpacking your bed sheets is as easy as looking for a box marked “bedding” in big, bold letters.

5. Reach out for a Helping Hand

Moving should be exciting — not stressful. Whether you have too much to pack on your own or want the assurance of a certified team taking care of your moving necessities, Mid Atlantic Van Lines is your go-to choice for providing you with the long distance moving services you deserve.

GET A FREE QUOTE

Our team of knowledgeable individuals is happy to help. Simply fill out our form to receive your free quote.

How to Protect Furniture When Moving

Moving Furniture

You love your floral-print plushy red coach. After arriving home from a long, tiresome day at work, your trusted couch is always there to cushion your plunge. It has been with you through countless Netflix-binges, late-night infomercial sessions and innumerable hours spent on hold during calls to your insurance company. Your favorite furniture piece has provided plush comfort when you’ve most needed it — and it will continue to do the same in your new home, too.

Furniture is more than just fluffy cushions. Whether you’re switching rooms or moving out of state, you want your chosen pieces to come along with you on your new life journey. When you park your car or moving truck in the lot of your new home, you don’t want to unload your gear only to find out your floral-print coach is now missing a leg.

Packing furniture for moving shouldn’t have to be stressful. With a few key points in mind, your furniture can arrive safely and in one piece.

Ensuring Protection

Have some favorite wood pieces you’ll be transporting? If you’re wondering how to protect wood furniture for moving or are unsure how to completely transport larger pieces, you need to first start off by acquiring the proper tools and accessories before beginning. Unlike small knick-knacks or lightweight objects such as fabrics and clothing, furniture is often heavy and proportionally large. Due to the bigger dimensions of wardrobes, cabinets and tables, disassembly is often the first required step in transporting your furniture.

When disassembling your furniture, keep your materials neat and organized by placing screws, bolts and nuts in a resealable bag with the appropriate labeling. Completely disassemble any pieces that can be and package any loose pegs or pieces with padded cushioning such as bubble wrap. Keep all of the tools and parts necessary for reassembling each furniture piece together so that you can easily set them up in their new location.

How to Wrap Furniture for Storage

Many people mistakenly think a cardboard box is all it takes to package all of their materials before moving. While it may be enough to move lightweight non-fragile items such as sheets and stuffed animals, your heavy wood table is going to require a little more than a huge box and a bit of duct tape.

When moving your furniture, you want to ensure every item is properly wrapped before loading everything into your moving truck. While cardboard boxes are a staple piece required for many movers’ storage necessities, consider also investing in materials that give extra padding to your furniture to guarantee damage protection in case of falls or jolts. For instance, start off by wrapping your furniture in bubble wrap and topping your pieces off with an added layer of plastic stretch wrap. Consider purchasing mattress and sofa covers to ward off dust or other contaminants as well.

If your furniture will be spending longer periods of time in storage, remember to thoroughly clean everything beforehand. Use material-appropriate cleaner to wipe off dust and grime so that leftover dirt is not transferred into your new clean home.

Map out Your Placement

When you load up your moving truck, you might be wondering where to place everything to ensure nothing gets damaged during the trip. Because furniture is larger and requires more space, extra planning should go into where each piece will be placed in your transportation vehicle.

Don’t place heavy objects on top of more fragile boxes or furniture pieces. Wood, for example, can be easily damaged if excessive weight is placed on it. Map out where each box and furniture item will be placed beforehand to ensure added stability and extra protection.

Hire a Professional Mover for Added Assistance

Moving’s the fun part, but disassembling and boxing up your furniture? Maybe not so much. Don’t let the added stress of properly moving your items weigh you down.

GET A FREE QUOTE

At Mid Atlantic Van Lines, we host a team of certified professionals who are skilled in moving a variety of items safely and securely. Don’t worry about your favorite couch arriving with missing pieces, stains or tears. For more information on transporting your possessions to their next destination, contact us to make your next move hassle-free.

7 Tips for Packing Electronics Before Moving

packing electronic device

From the moment your smartphone sounds off its jovial alarm in the morning to the time you turn off your Ultra HD screen for the night before going to bed, your day consists of nonstop electronic usage. In modern day society, technology is used in virtually all aspects of life throughout the entirety of our days.

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed techy with an arsenal of laptops and computers or wouldn’t know what to do without your favorite Netflix series playing your TV, your electronics are responsible for ensuring your days go efficiently and smoothly.

Tips for Packing Electronics Before a Move

While electronics are a quintessential component of the average household, they are also typically fragile and delicate. If you’re planning a move in the near future and are unsure of how to move your electronics safely to their next destination, follow our seven tips for packing them to guarantee your favored gadgets arrive at their new destination in the same condition they departed their old one in:

1. Get an Appraisal

Before you begin to pack up your collection of speakers and screens, you may want to first receive an appraisal for the total estimated cost of your goods’ value. If you no longer have receipts or can’t remember how much you invested in your equipment, request a value estimate for your electronics before moving.

If hiring a professional service to transport your goods, you’ll receive the added security of knowing the worth of your possessions in case of damage during transportation.

2. Photograph Your Electronics

Right now, your electronics may appear as a neat and orderly arrangement, with cords and plugs in all of the proper places. However, it’s easy to forget exactly where necessary parts should go once they’re unplugged and you’re attempting to recreate your prior setup. Take pictures of your electronics before disassembling them.

Focus specifically on items such as your desktop or computer because you’ll typically find that various cords are utilized and plugged into different spots of your screen and tower. Having a photograph of the correct arrangement saves you the added headache of wondering what goes where upon unpacking your materials.

3. Use Original Packaging or Clearly Label Generic Boxes

When you use the typical basic brown boxes to package your materials, you may easily forget which item is in which box. Using original packaging for electronics such as televisions, computers and gaming systems are ideal for guaranteeing certainty about where everything is located.

If you no longer have the original packaging, be sure to label the boxes so you can easily find what you need. This can also help ensure your electronics stay safe — there won’t inadvertently be something heavy stacked on top of their box.

4. Purchase Bubble Wrap and Packing Supplies

Electronics are often delicate and cannot easily sustain the impact of being jostled around boxes and packages without extra padding. Consider purchasing bubble wrap or other packaging supplies to wrap your electronics with prior to placing them in moving boxes.

Cloth and newspaper also act as a good buffer in between empty space that may cause your electronics to move around in their boxes during transport. Tape up boxes before loading them into your vehicle to guarantee no objects fall out as well.

5. Remain Organized

Once your electronics arrive at their new destination, you don’t want to waste time searching for them. Whether you need your TV hooked up right away for the big game or want to use your blue-tooth speakers while cleaning up your new home, you can avoid the headache of searching through every box before locating what you want by implementing a few organization tricks.

Keep all accessories with their given product and label the contents of each box with a bold marker on the outside. Use color coordination to separate cords and cables, too.

6. Ensure Proper Temperature During Transportation

It’s never a good idea to leave electronics out in the cold or heat. When moving your them from one location to the next, it’s essential to keep this idea in mind because many electronics are often sensitive to temperature extremes.

If you decide to move your electronics in the midst of a hot summer day or a freezing winter afternoon, it’s important to keep the vehicle transporting your appliances at a steady median temperature. Use insulated packaging materials to ensure your electronics stay safe and functioning.

7. Keep a List

The best way to pack electronics is to keep things organized. Make a list of every item you packed away and where each appliance was placed. When you arrive at your new destination, you can merely check each item off the list as you unpack to guarantee everything arrived safe and sound — as it should.

GET A FREE QUOTE

If you’re considering moving in the near future and need the extra assurance of certified transportation for your electronics and more, contact us today to set up an appointment or request a quote with Mid Atlantic Van Lines. We take care of your possessions so you can worry about what truly matters — getting to your next location.