8 Summer Moving Tips – Summer can be the busiest moving season. With weather that is mostly pleasant (and hot) many are prompted to move during the summer. It can be overwhelming, but if you make a moving plan it can make it much easier. Follow these 10 tips to make your move a smooth transition.

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Things To Consider When Ready To Move

First of all, congrats on the new digs! Even though it seems like all the hard work of getting your new place is behind you, there are still several steps you’ll want to take to make living in your new home as great as it can be right off the bat. Here are some tips to help you plan to move in (whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, repeat homeowner, or apartment renter).

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Is It Almost Moving Day? Here Are Some Great Tips So You Can Plan Ahead In The Weeks Before

When you’re planning for a move, keep in mind that almost everything will take longer to do than you expect. The best way to keep on track is to plan ahead and stay organized. This site is filled with helpful resources so you can do more—and save more.

EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE

• Line up movers.

• Look into truck rental prices, if you’re doing it yourself.

• Make an inventory of everything you own.

• Decide what goes in the truck, car or trash.

• Consider where you want to place furniture in your new home.

SIX WEEKS BEFORE

• Clear out your closets. Be ruthless!

• Have a yard sale.

• Transfer your children’s academic records to their new school.

• Transfer medical records to your new doctor.

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE

• Reserve a truck or trailer for a DIY move.

• Confirm the booking with your moving company.

• Arrange to have the movers come over two days before moving day, if they are packing for you.

• Get boxes and packing tape, if you are doing it yourself

• Start packing out-of-season clothing and other items you won’t need right away.

• Fill out change-of-address cards at the post office.

• Notify friends, family, the bank and your insurance agent of your new address.

• Pre-order appliances, furniture, dishes and cutlery.

• Send a change-of-address email to any magazines you subscribe to.

• Make copies of important papers, such as birth certificates, passports, medical and dental records.

THREE WEEKS BEFORE

• Arrange to have the utilities disconnected a few days after the move.

• Get the utilities set up at your new residence.

• Start packing room by room.

• Arrange for a babysitter on moving day if you need one.

• Reserve the freight elevator in your building for moving day.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE

• Arrange to move plants and pets.

• Get rid of items you’re not allowed to move, such as gasoline and propane.

• Keep packing.

• Line up helpers to assist with loading your rental truck.

• Consider hiring a plumber or electrician to disconnect appliances you plan to move.

ONE WEEK BEFORE

• Open your new bank accounts if you’re making a long-distance move.

• Make sure you have enough medication to last through the move.

• Have your doctor write a new prescription you can fill after you move.

• Defrost the refrigerator two days before you move.

Time For Some Spring Cleanup

Revitalize your hibernating home with simple suggestions.

1 Work from the top down, inside to outside, to avoid getting what you just cleaned dirty again.

2 Do one room, even one area of one room, at a time to avoid unfinished jobs. The satisfaction of seeing one room sparkle will make the hard work feel like it’s worth the effort.

3 When tidying, reduce trips around the house by temporarily depositing items in one spot en route to but not at their final destination.

4 Do two things at once. While laundry is going, scrub the shower stall.

5 Make small repairs. If you’re not handy, hire someone.

6 Invest in good rubber or vinyl gloves to protect your skin and nails.

7 Dust before vacuuming or cleaning the floor. Try feather or lambswool dusters, especially extendable ones for reaching above window and door casings and into corners. Household rags are invaluable for jobs requiring a damp cloth – natural fibres work best.

8 Buy mops with a squeeze mechanism (great for vinyl, linoleum or ceramic tile floors) and a decent-size heavy-duty pail – one with a measuring scale helps get soap-to-water ratios correct.

9 Don’t stand your brooms on their bristles. It will destroy their shape and diminish their effectiveness. Instead, get a broom holder, like the Magic Holder 5-position broom organizer.

10 Use a Swiffer for light dusting, or your favourite broom or vacuum attachment to clean hardwood floors. Then damp-mop with a mild cleaner such as Murphy Oil Soap. I recently discovered BonaKemi’s MicroPlus Hardwood Floor Care System, which includes a mop with a removable washable microfibre pad and a nontoxic water-based spray cleaner. It makes the floors glow, and smell good, too.

11 Rent a van or truck from DYSCO to help remove all the unwanted junk.

If you are like many of us and have lots of unwanted “stuff” just taking up valuable space in your home or office, then hiring a junk removal company like DYSCO is the right move. Why not just move it ourselves? While there are lots of people that can manage on their own sometimes your time is just too valuable to not make the plunge and hire a professional.

Many home and business owners haul away their own junk. They reason, it’s cheaper, and lets face it, when the mood to clear things out strikes, it’s strong and oftentimes we don’t want to undertake the effort to price out a reliable service and then wait until they have an available time slot on their busy spring schedule.

For any of you naysayers, consider these top 10 reasons why hiring a professional junk removal company for your rental properties and offices makes sense.

Save time

By having a professional junk removal service, such as DYSCO Junk Removal take care of your cluttered spare bedroom or chocked-full-of-junk office storage room you have more time to spend with friends, family, and important business clients.

Save money

When you save time, you also save money. For business owners in industries such as real estate, property management, and home construction having a professional junk removal service attend your business may come with a cost attached, but you’ll make money investing your valuable time into your core business.

Trust a professional service

There are many plywood-sided trucks out there touting junk removal services at a discounted price. But when it comes to your valuable home or business the peace of mind that comes with hiring a professional company with a track record of reliable service is non-negotiable.

Regain space

More space often enables big dreams. Baby nursery? Guest room? Car in the garage for once? Hobby room? Enough said

Declutter

Clutter in the home or business saps energy. Clean, clear living and work spaces promote harmony and a positive flow of energy.

Reduce environmental footprint

When you a hire a junk removal company, ask about recycling. Almost everything can be recycled these days and it does the conscience good to know your junk won’t all be dumped into the landfill. Just imagining the time and effort it would require to properly dispose of the junk yourself is worth calling the professionals.

Donate to charity

Larger household and office/warehouse furnishings, appliances, and electronics can also be donated to charity. Knowing your junk will have a second life makes it easier to let it go.

Reduce safety hazards

The risk of junk-induced injury has actually made newspaper headlines. This is serious. If unused items are clogging your hallways or yard mess turns a leisurely walk through the garden into an obstacle course it’s time to get rid of the junk! Similarly, on a job site, scattered debris is a safety hazard.

Keep up appearances

First impressions are important to homeowners with visiting guests, and integral to business owners inviting clients into the office. Junk can be a distracting eyesore so take steps to clear it away!

Gain peace of mind

Ultimately, professional junk removal provides peace of mind. You point a finger and magically the junk is gone, space has returned, and with no effort on your part. Consider how the previous nine reasons to hire a professional junk removal company each contribute to restoring peace of mind.

How To Properly Load Your Moving Truck Rental

Tier your load by placing the heaviest pieces in a row across the floor of the van and building a second and third row on top of the first, and so on, until they reach the ceiling. Then start on the next tier.

Household items are never identical in weight, shape or size, and packing for a tight, evenly distributed load is key to ensuring that all belongings arrive undamaged. The pros use furniture pads to ensure that they meet this goal; to fill a space, to level a tier or to give support to a curved (contoured) or irregularly shaped item.

  • Use pads for the tops of cartons or blocks used underneath furniture with legs to help spread the weight evenly.
  • Fill the top of a hutch or armoire with pads to avoid springing the joints. Pads will raise the tier so that subsequent rows will not rest directly on the top lip.
  • Contrary to popular belief, the back of a TV needs just as much protection as the front; a good bump can cause major internal damage. To protect the back, roll two pads into “sausages” and place them vertically, one on either side of the horn between the back of the TV and the previous tier.
  • The tier behind the back of overstuffed furniture or upholstered couches must be padded to protect the furniture. Also, the floor under the couch must be padded and a pad folded into four gives plenty of protection to a couch with flat ends. However, a couch with irregularly shaped ends, such as one with “French wings”, must be set on a base of several pads folded to support the contour of the arm.

Preparing To Load

You’ll find that pre-planning how you’ll load reduces loading time and fatigue. And, just as important, it ensures your belongings travel safer.

  • Place everything you can inside similar-size moving-grade boxes (rather than “grocery store” boxes or plastic totes). Moving boxes were designed for easy “squaring-off,” which helps maintain the integrity of the load as items are stacked on top.
  • Make sure all boxes are labeled with their contents and destination room location.
  • Wrap all unboxed items in paper padding, plastic stretch wrap or furniture pads.
  • Wrap upholstered furniture with self-adhering plastic wrap, paper padding or furniture pads to protect from soil and punctures.
  • Wrap wood or metal furniture with moving pads or paper padding. Pay special attention to corners and legs.
  • Wrap mirrors, large framed pictures and marble table tops in plenty of paper padding or furniture pads.
  • Use plastic wrap or packing tape to secure moving pads or paper padding to furniture (making sure not to place tape directly on furniture).
  • Be generous with padding to avoid scratches, gouges, and broken items.
  • Disassemble furniture such as kitchen tables, entertainment centers, bed frames, headboards, footboards, and dresser mirrors.
  • Keep in mind that furniture made of particle board is more susceptible to damage when shipped assembled. It is not built to withstand the normal stresses that occur when traveling in a moving truck (which is why manufacturers ship disassembled). While it is safer to move this type of furniture disassembled, it can be less sturdy after being taken apart and reassembled.
  • Wrap bed rails or disassembled table legs and roll them into large rugs or carpets.
  • Remove shelves from bookcases, armoires, etc., and wrap them separately (if removable).
  • Remove hardware, screws, parts, etc., from furniture, place them in a sealable bag and tape to the back of furniture or inside a drawer.
  • Prior to moving day, measure doorways to determine the best door to move large furniture out of.
  • Remove all food from refrigerators/freezers.
  • Defrost refrigerators/freezers 24-48 hours prior to loading.
  • Hang a bag of charcoal or coffee beans/grounds inside refrigerator/freezer to prevent “musty” odors.
  • Disconnect water/ice-maker lines and tape the cord to the back of the refrigerator/freezer.
  • Avoid tipping your refrigerator/freezer on its side as this can cause damage to the compressor.
  • Drain all water out of washing machines 24 hours prior to loading. Avoid doing a load of laundry the day of the move.
  • Tip the washing machine backward to drain as much water as possible.
  • Place hoses from washer or dryer in a plastic bag and put them inside the unit.
  • Pack trays/glass shelves from microwaves and refrigerators inside a moving box.

Loading Your Items

  • Make sure you have an obstacle-free route from the door to the moving trailer
  • Lay a tarp or plastic wrap on the floor of the trailer to protect against dust/dirt.
  • Designate one or two people to remain on the truck while the others are carrying items. They will be responsible for stacking and loading everything tightly.
  • Begin by loading into the front of the truck (near the cab) and work your way toward the back.
  • Stack items from floor to ceiling, putting heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on the top.
  • Create 2′ – 3′ tiers as you are loading. Each tier should be close to the top of the trailer ceiling before beginning the next tier.
  • “Square” the load by creating a flat surface with boxes. This makes each level easier to stack.
  • Pack items tight, like a jigsaw puzzle – all space should be filled to avoid shifting in transit. Use “fillers” for any open space.
  • Tie each tier off with ratchet straps/rope, etc. to secure.
  • Load the largest, heaviest furniture and appliances first (against the walls to help distribute the weight evenly throughout the truck). The sofa/loveseat should be placed on end if possible. If the legs are not removable, point them toward the wall and pack “fillers” in the space between the wall and the sofa/loveseat (don’t forget to wrap each item).
  • Remove cushions from the couch and wrap or place in plastic bags.
  • Place wrapped pictures and mirrors upright between mattresses.
  • Place wrapped headboards and footboards between mattresses (not the same mattress your pictures/mirrors are between).
  • Remove drawers and contents of drawers before moving desks, cabinets or dressers. Once the items are loaded on to the truck, replace the drawers and secure with self-adhesive plastic wrap.
  • Make sure items that could potentially cause damage are not loaded against fabric or wood furniture. For example, a piece with protruding metal could puncture a sofa or mattress.
  • Avoid loading thin-legged tables on bottom; they may not be able to handle the weight of items loaded on top.
  • Avoid loading the feet of an item directly on top of a finished piece of furniture; this could dent or puncture the finish.
  • Avoid loading furniture against other furniture or truck walls without proper padding (furniture pads, paper pads, cardboard, etc.).
  • Load the heaviest and largest boxes first. Place them on top of appliances and furniture and fill any cavities beneath tables, desks and chair seats.
  • Stack lighter boxes on top of heaver boxes.
  • Place fragile items or awkward shaped items on last and secure tightly (make sure they’re marked “fragile”).
  • Place light-weight loose items like plastic plants, small rolled up rugs, bundled mops and brooms, etc. on top.
  • Rolled up rugs, bags of linens, etc., can be used to help fill void areas.
  • Keep gas operated items like lawn mowers, weed eaters, etc., on the truck floor, covered with tarp or plastic sheeting and away from fabric items (after you drain flammable fluids).
  • When moving motorcycles, riding lawn mowers or small ATVs use strong ratchet straps to secure the items and ensure they stay in place during transit. If moving in a trailer, we recommend nailing wooden blocks into the trailer floor for added bracing. All fuel must be completely drained.
  • Use ratchet straps/rope/cord, etc., throughout the process to keep items safe in secure. While strapping it all in at the end is important, it’s just as important to secure the items as you load.• Make sure you have an obstacle-free route from the door to the moving trailer/ReloCube.

Protecting Yourself While You’re Loading

While there are certainly things you can do to ensure your belongings travel safely to your new home, you’ll also want to ensure an injury-free moving day. Share the tips below with anyone planning to help with loading or unloading your shipment.

  • Have someone available to help lift heavy items. Don’t overdo it. If you have to strain to carry the load, it’s too heavy.
  • If you need assistance with loading or unloading, ask your U-Pack representative; we can help!
  • If you have heavy items, consider using a dolly.
  • Avoid wearing clothing that may get snagged while carrying furniture out of doorways and into the moving truck.
  • Wear leather gloves when handling large, heavy objects with sharp edges (you’ll need these for installing the trailer ramp and bulkhead, too. See U-Pack’s ramp set-up andramp removal instructions and bulkhead installation instructions).
  • Wear durable, supportive footwear with a good grip (avoid sandals or open-toed shoes).
  • Pace yourself. If you have a lot to move, take small breaks throughout the process.
  • Make sure you can see where you’re walking.
  • Avoid walking on slippery, uneven surfaces.
  • Bend your knees – not from your waist – when picking up and setting down objects.
  • Always lift with your legs and not with your back.
  • Keep your back as straight and vertical as possible – don’t arch your back or reach out for an object.
  • Get a firm footing before picking up a heavy object (parting your feet and putting one foot slightly in front of the other helps give you good balance).
  • When lifting, stand close to the item with your feet shoulder-width apart, elbows tucked in, and chin down.
  • Use slow and smooth movements.
  • Keep your body facing the object while you lift it – avoid twisting.
  • Try to carry the object in the space between your shoulder and waist; this puts less strain on your back.
  • When using a dolly, make sure the blades are centered and completely under the load.
  • Always walk with the dolly in front of you and keep the load balanced, with heavier items on the bottom.
  • Avoid loading items onto the dolly higher than chest-level.
  • When going up or down the ramp or steps, have a second person help support the item.

Make your move safer and easier by using these techniques and encouraging your family, friends and whoever else is helping you move, to use them as well. A good rule of thumb: a healthy adult male should lift objects no more than 50 pounds, and smaller adults should lift no more than 35 pounds. After all, you don’t want a back injury to ruin your enjoyment of your new home.

Using a hand truck

  1. Load the hand truck
    To load boxes onto a hand truck (or dolly), have a helper tilt the box while you slip the truck’s platform under it. Set the box down and push it snug against the hand truck.
  2. Strap the load
    Secure the load to the hand truck with a strap and ratchet for tightening.
  3. Brace and lean back
    Place your foot against the bottom of the back of the truck, and tip it back until you do not need to either push or pull to keep it steady.
  4. Moving up and down stairs
    Work with a helper when going up or down stairs. Have the helper lift the bottom of the load while you pull on the cart handles.

Using a hump strap

A hump strap (essentially a 16-foot long nylon strap available at moving equipment stores) is great for one person to more easily lift tall boxes or several boxes at once. Here’s how to use it safely and effectively:

  1. Set the box on top
    Try this technique to carry a tall box or several boxes at once. Lay the hump strap on the floor and place the box on top with the strap in the centre. The stack should be near shoulder height; a smaller stack will not work.
  2. Tie a knot
    Wrap the strap around the box and tie a knot just below the top front edge of the box. The knot should be comfortable to hold.
  3. Lift and carry
    Back into the box, bend your knees, and grab the knot behind your neck with one hand. Slowly straighten your legs. Start walking when you feel comfortable, with the load resting on your slightly bent back.

The forearm strap

A forearm strap is a real back saver if you’re doing a major move. It extends your grab beyond your reach, effectively giving you another pair of hands for steadying the load. Working with a helper, place the straps under the piece of furniture or an appliance and adjust the straps so they rest at a comfortable height for your forearms. Both you and your helper should lift together, using only your legs. As you climb a ramp, you can raise your lower your arms to keep the load upright. Straps can be bought online from moving equipment suppliers.

Lift with your legs

The adage “lift with your legs, not your back” is oft repeated for a reason. Bending over and picking up even moderately sized boxes can damage your lower back. You may not even feel it at the time, but you can wake up the next day with pain that will take a long time to go away. As much as possible, keep your back straight and use your legs to lower and raise your body. You may choose to wear a waist belt to prevent hernias.

Blanket Drag

This simple technique is especially helpful when moving an appliance through a doorway where there is little clearance on each side. Have a helper tilt the appliance back while you slip a blanket under all the legs. Set the appliance back down and pull on the blanket to move it. This technique also works well for moving items inside the truck.

When it comes to packing up your belongings, it’s smart to think ahead. Did you pack that precious family portrait so it won’t be damaged? Do you have a home inventory to protect yourself from theft and loss? Make it easier to step through the door of your new home by packing like a pro.


Build a home inventory

The best way to prevent theft and loss during a move is to make an inventory of your possessions. An inventory catalogs all items of value, with a description of the condition and, if desired, a photograph.


Estimate your packing schedule

Allow for one full day to pack each room of the house (except for the basement, garage and kitchen, which often take longer). Make a rough estimate, then add an extra 50 percent to your timeline. It always takes longer to pack than you predict.


Come up with a strategy

Start packing the parts of your home you don’t use every day, such as the basement and attic. If you find an item you’re unsure about keeping, start a pile of things to review at a later date. Scale down by tossing things out or donating unused items to charity.

Create a packing center in your home to cut back on the number of times you will have to search for the tape and other supplies. Designate a central location to keep boxes, tape, markers, stickers and bubble wrap.

Pack the perfect box

  • Choose a box
    Consider what you’re packing and try to control box weight. If you’re packing books, use a small box. If you’re working on sweaters, a larger box can be used.
  • Prepare the box
    Tape the bottom then line it with crumpled tissue paper or newspaper. Stack and fill in the box with your stuff, then top it with more tissue.
  • Wrap fragile items
    You’ll want to use cardboard dividers, tissue paper or bubble wrap for fragile and breakable objects. To prevent small items from being thrown out accidentally, wrap them in brightly coloured tissue paper or a labelled plastic bag.
  • Seal and label
    Tape the top and mark it with a descriptive label. You can print the name of the room the box belongs to or give more description to help with the unpacking process.

Protecting lamps

Disassemble the lamp and pack items separately. Start by unplugging and removing the light bulb and lampshade. Pack the base separately from the shade to protect both items and be sure to fill all cracks and crannies with plenty of padding.

Transporting electronic items

Even though electronics are heavy, they also have delicate parts that are easily jarred. Plus, you want to prevent rear-input jacks from getting clogged with debris. If you don’t have the original box for your electronic item, start with a thick packing pad and wrap each component. Then put it in a box with extra-strong walls, such as a TV or computer box. Consider using plastic bins to protect electronics from moisture.

Prepping furniture for the move

Some furniture can be dismantled, but other pieces must travel as a whole. To protect them, tape all corners and legs of tables and chairs with discarded moving boxes and secure them with plastic wrap. If the wood has a finish that can be easily scratched, using plastic wrap may cause damage. In these cases, use moving pads or clean cardboard instead.

Put together an “Open-Me-First” box

Pack important essentials that you’ll need upon arriving at your new home together in one box to avoid having to root through multiple boxes to find what you need. Some items to include are cleaning supplies, your furniture maps, first aid items, bathroom supplies like soap and toilet paper and a telephone.