Things that require special care in a move
Certain items require special moving precautions. Here are packing tips for some of the more common things people ask about.
Antiques
At the time of the estimate by a moving consultant, be sure to point out valuable or fragile items, so that advance arrangements for crating or special packing can be made. Crates can be specially built to protect fragile items.
At the time of the estimate by a moving consultant, be sure to point out valuable or fragile items, so that advance arrangements for crating or special packing can be made. Crates can be specially built to protect fragile items.
If you're lucky enough to have any items of great value, this is a good time to have them professionally appraised and insured, if you haven't done so already. Look in the Yellow Pages under "appraisers," and try to find those who are members of the American Society of Appraisers.
Waterbeds
Make sure that your new landlord or management company will allow you to have a waterbed. Some apartments cannot structurally support the weight of a water-filled mattress.
Make sure that your new landlord or management company will allow you to have a waterbed. Some apartments cannot structurally support the weight of a water-filled mattress.
Drain the waterbed (you'll need a drain pump, a faucet converter, and either a siphon pump or garden hose). If you have the owner's manual, refer to instructions on how to do this, or contact a local waterbed dealer. Consider adding waterbed cleaner to cut down on bacterial growth, especially if storing the mattress for more than a week or two.
Fold the waterbed mattress carefully, lengthwise. If your waterbed mattress is baffled, fold by gathering up the internal baffling sections one at a time, about 20 inches at a time, trying not to crease the individual baffles as you fold. If your waterbed has a fiber, chambered or cellular mattress, you'll need to roll the mattress.
Barbecue and gas grills Have a cookout before you move! The goal here is to use up any charcoal briquettes or propane. Propane tanks will have to be drained before they are moved, some movers will not accept tanks at all, so check with them first. Pack up any unused briquettes in paper bags or newspaper and wrap up cleaned grates before you put them in boxes.
Home computers
Back up all your files onto CDs or DVDs. Don't pack these disks away in a box to go in the truck. Take your backup and other important disks with you, so that any extreme heat or cold the moving truck may experience doesn't damage them. If you must pack them, keep the box they are in away from the TV, stereo, VCR or other appliances that may have a magnetic field.
Back up all your files onto CDs or DVDs. Don't pack these disks away in a box to go in the truck. Take your backup and other important disks with you, so that any extreme heat or cold the moving truck may experience doesn't damage them. If you must pack them, keep the box they are in away from the TV, stereo, VCR or other appliances that may have a magnetic field.
If you have the original box and materials that the computer came in, use them! If not, wrap the computer well in bubble pack and use a sturdy box with additional insulation (i.e. Styrofoam peanuts, blankets, lots of crumpled paper). Label the box "FRAGILE - COMPUTER" on all sides.
Printers should also go back in their original boxes. Remove toner or cartridges from laser or inkjet printers and insert a piece of paper in the platen of pin printers.
Aquariums
Fish do not take well to travelling! Unless you're moving a short distance, (no more than a few hours drive) fish may not survive the trip. That's why it's perhaps best to find a new home for your finny friends. But if you feel compelled to try, here's what to do.
Fish do not take well to travelling! Unless you're moving a short distance, (no more than a few hours drive) fish may not survive the trip. That's why it's perhaps best to find a new home for your finny friends. But if you feel compelled to try, here's what to do.
Put fish in some large plastic bags filled half-and-half with water and air. Put the bags in an insulated container. Large fish can go in sealed buckets. Try to keep the temperature as constant as possible.
Moving the tank is a bit less stressful. You'll have to drain, empty and clean the tank. For short moves, you can keep your plants in plastic bags with some water in them. Pumps and heaters should be carefully wrapped and packed, and the tank itself should be reinforced with masking tape, wrapped, then placed in a box with plenty of Styrofoam peanuts.
Houseplants
Our recommendation for moving houseplants is simple — don't. Unless you can drive them in your car or are moving just a few hours away, it is unlikely that your plants will arrive in good shape. Professional interstate movers do not accept houseplants. Consider taking cuttings instead, wrapping them in moist cotton or paper towels and placing them in plastic bags. These can travel with you (not on the truck) for a few days.
Our recommendation for moving houseplants is simple — don't. Unless you can drive them in your car or are moving just a few hours away, it is unlikely that your plants will arrive in good shape. Professional interstate movers do not accept houseplants. Consider taking cuttings instead, wrapping them in moist cotton or paper towels and placing them in plastic bags. These can travel with you (not on the truck) for a few days.
Specialized transportation
Certain types of moves require special handling and procedures. You probably won't need this type of service for your move but here's a list of special categories:
Certain types of moves require special handling and procedures. You probably won't need this type of service for your move but here's a list of special categories:
- Trade show exhibits
- Computers and other electronic devices beyond your home entertainment center and PC
- Medical equipment
- Museum exhibits
- Precious art exhibits
- Office equipment
- Store fixtures
- Industrial equipment
Perishables and hazardous materials
Don't move these!
Don't move these!
- Paint, Paint Thinner
- Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover
- Pressurized Tanks
- Firearms, Ammunition
- Charcoal, Lighter Fluid, Matches
- Gasoline, Kerosene
- Motor Oil
- Cleaning Solvents
- Bleach, Ammonia
- Weed/Bug Killers
No comments:
Post a Comment