a bunch of cars that are in the snow.

How To Move During Winter

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Moving is something that everyone knows needs a lot of planning to go as smoothly as possible. You might not realize it, but moving in the winter comes with its own set of different problems. Cold weather, icy roads, and snowfall can all make your move harder.

Read on if you are thinking about or planning to move to a cold place during the winter. This will help you be as ready as possible.

Why Do People Move In Winter?

There are a few reasons that people choose to move during the winter instead of waiting for spring or summer.

  • For one, moving companies tend to be cheaper during the winter because demand is lower. If you are looking to save some money on your move, this can be a great time to do it.
  • Secondly, people who are moving for a job may not have a choice in when they move. If your company is relocating you in the middle of winter, then you will have to make the best of it.
  • Finally, some people simply prefer the colder weather and decide to move to a place like Alaska or Canada in the middle of winter.

Whatever your reason is for moving in the winter, you need to be prepared. Keep reading for our tips on how to make your winter move as smooth as possible.

Planning Your Move In Advance

  • Your weather app is on your side: Check the weather report for the days before your move and the day of it. If a storm or other bad weather that could close roads or make things hard for your movers is in the forecast, call your moving company.
  • Clear the Way: Remember that you are in charge of your driveway and sidewalks. Make sure to shovel, clear, and salt any outdoor areas that the movers will need to use to get to your home. By doing this, you can avoid any extra delays and fees that could happen if you don’t.
  • Plan for your pets: Moving can be stressful for you, but think about how your pets feel. Pets can get so scared and stressed out that they get sick or run out of an open door on a moving day and get hit by a car. No matter what time of year it is, we recommend that you make plans for your pets to stay with friends, family or at a pet daycare on the day of your move.
  • Ask family or friends to watch the children: Children, especially young ones, don’t do well when they have to move. Since moving will probably take up most of your time on moving day, make sure your kids are taken care of somewhere else if you can. The kids will feel better, and you will be able to focus on moving.
  • Access Granted: If you live in a gated community or a neighborhood with an active homeowners’ association, make sure to check ahead of time that your community does not have any deed restrictions for moving trucks. Some communities have rules or laws that say moving trucks can’t drive right up to a house.
  • Warm Reception: It’s freezing outside. Make sure the power and heat are on in your new home a few days before you are supposed to move in. This gives you a little bit of a buffer in case the utility company is late. It’s hard enough to unpack without having to do it in a dark, cold house.
  • Extra Space: If your street plow sometimes leaves mushy, dirty piles of snow on your property, be ready to shovel the morning of your move or have parking that is not right on the plow route. Even if you cleared and de-iced the paths ahead of time, a big snowfall overnight could mess up your plans and those of your movers.

How To Handle Certain Items After Moving

  • Washing Machines: The water in the pump should have been drained before the washer was put on the truck, but there is always water in the mixer valve, pump, and hoses. If you don’t want to damage your washing machine, don’t use it until all the frozen water has melted and the machine is at room temperature.
  • Dryers: The cold can make igniters and other parts of your dryer brittle, just like it can break some of your fragile things. To keep your dryer in good shape, don’t turn it on until all of its parts are at room temperature.
  • Icemakers: Before loading your icemaker on the truck, you should drain the water out of the solenoid valve to get rid of extra water and prevent it from freezing. But there may still be some moisture in the valve, which could freeze during transport. As with all of your other appliances, make sure that your ice maker is completely at room temperature before you hook it up and run it.
  • Water Softener: The freezing of moisture left in water softening tanks can be bad for them. Let your tanks warm up to room temperature before you set them up at your new home.
  • Grandfather Clocks: If pivot points and other small parts of a grandfather clock are exposed to very cold weather, they will shrink and tighten. Don’t set your grandfather clock until all of its parts have reached room temperature, or you could hurt the way it works.
  • Waterbed Mattresses: Some of the water inside a waterbed mattress may freeze in cold weather. To keep the vinyl case from getting cracked, waterbeds should stay in their boxes and not be touched for at least 12 to 24 hours after they have been unloaded.
  • Electrical Equipment: Water and electricity do not mix. Extreme temperature changes can cause condensation to form on electronics like TVs, computers, stereos, and more. Make sure that all electronics have reached room temperature before plugging them in.

It’s not easy to move in the middle of winter to places where it’s below zero. Even though being ready helps you and your movers on the big day, you can’t control the weather, no matter how much you plan. Be careful and keep your options open. No matter how hard moving is, you and your movers should always put safety first.

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