Prince George, BC is a city with four distinct seasons. We welcome the snow on the slopes and the ice on our outdoor rinks, but it’s not so helpful when you’re dragging your mattress out of the front door during a winter move.
With fewer people moving house in the winter months it may be easier to rent a moving truck, but a winter move means being extra prepared. Whether you’re hiring movers or moving yourself, the following tips should help the day run more smoothly.
Plan your journey
This is straightforward if you’re moving a short distance within the city. Keep warm clothes, hats, gloves and snow removal equipment in your car. If you’re travelling from further afield, keep an eye on weather reports and updates on road conditions (DriveBC).
Plan extra time for snow removal
Before you move anything out of your old home or into your new one, shovel the walkways and use salt to help clear the ice.
Protect the indoors
It’s easy to trample slush into your new home during the move. Put down pieces of cardboard or plastic sheets before you begin.
Boxes and other items may get dirty snow on them – have cloths available to brush off the dirt before it makes its way inside.
Remember to set up the utilities
It’s important to have your heat and water ready to go whenever you plan to move, but it’s even more important in the winter months.
Take extra care when moving houseplants
Indoor plants are very susceptible to temperature changes, and a sudden winter chill can be very harmful to them. Make sure they are well protected during the move by insulating them from the cold. If you have a garage connected to the home, use it to take the plants in and out of the car in a less exposed environment.
Avoid freezing your groceries
Beverages and food items may freeze if they are left for long periods in a cold truck. Be particularly careful where you store glass bottles or soda cans that may crack or explode under the pressure.
Insulate electronics
Most electronics are good at handling moderately cold temperatures, but extreme cold and moisture can be damaging. Make sure they are packed well to insulate them from sudden temperature changes, for instance by wrapping them in moving blankets.
See if you can fit any of your electronics in your personal car instead of an unheated moving truck where they’ll be less exposed to the cold. Remove batteries and storage devices and carry those with you in your car.
When you unpack electronic items in your new home, don’t plug them in until they have returned to room temperature. Some suggest waiting 24 hours to plug in electronics as condensation may have built up in the components.
At Team Powerhouse Realty, we wish you a safe and stress-free move to your new home!
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