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Moving House in Varying Climate Conditions: Make Sure Your Belongings are Protected

27 September 2017

Hazel Bailey

Moving to a different area of the country is challenging for many reasons, not least because it makes moving furniture and other possessions more difficult. And that difficulty is increased considerably if you're moving far enough that your belongings will be exposed to varying climate conditions during their journey.

If you have any antique furniture, works of art, collectables or other treasures, it's particularly important to ensure they're kept safe and sound during transportation. But even those who don't would benefit from taking a few precautions before sending their possessions on their way.

Protect wooden furniture

Wood is extremely sensitive to changes in humidity, which can be one of your worst enemies when moving through a changing climate. The problem is that changes in temperature and moisture level cause wood to expand and contract, and damage can occur fairly quickly – in just two or three hours if the conditions are bad. On long-distance moves, your furniture is likely to be in the back of a removals van for much longer than this.

One way to protect antique wooden furniture and other items is to treat it beforehand. Using a generous amount of furniture polish or a suitable oil, coat all of the exposed wooden parts and allow it to soak in. This will keep the wood's moisture levels more constant, preventing damage from external changes.

Cover paintings

Paintings are easily damaged by rapid changes in climate conditions, so they should be well protected. Moisture is a particular concern, and you should make every effort to stop it reaching the artwork itself. Luckily, this is fairly easy to do. Get some thick, durable plastic sheeting or bags and cover the whole painting. Seal it thoroughly with duct tape and make sure there are no gaps for moisture to leak through. This should be enough to keep the painting safe and make sure it arrives at its destination in the same condition you packed it.

Find the right removals firm

Removals firms that specialise in this type of move are your best bet, for obvious reasons. Their expertise and experience mean they can advise you on how best to protect your belongings during the move. They may also be able to use climate-controlled vans, which will keep the temperature and moisture levels steady throughout the journey. This is by far the best way to ensure everything is free from climate-related damage when it arrives, and can eliminate the need to take extra precautions.

For more information, contact companies like Caloundra Removals & Storage.

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