Lawn furniture and gardening tools are often neglected when preparing for a move simply because they are stored outdoors. Some of these items require special care and can be time-consuming to pack as they can be heavy and oddly-shaped. The first step is to decide if you are going to move them. When downsizing into an apartment, you may not need your gardening tools. If the children have outgrown the swing set, consider selling it or giving it to a neighbour rather than move it. Below, we have listed tips to prepare outdoor items for a move.
Patio Furniture
Give your patio furniture a good inspection. Look for insects, spiders, bee/hornet nests, or mice (They often crawl up inside tubular legs of tables and chairs). Call a pest control expert if necessary to eliminate critters. Then, clean your furniture, removing all dirt and other residue. You may need a bucket and scrub brush. Clean cushions and the umbrella according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure all items are thoroughly dry before being packed. If rain is predicted in the days before your move, keep cushions inside and cover other items with a waterproof tarpaulin.
Barbeque
Clean the grates and barbeque parts prior to moving. For gas barbeques, detach the cylinder and let the gas drain from the grill. The cylinder cannot be transported on the moving truck so transport it yourself or arrange to dispose of it. If you have a charcoal grill, remove the remaining briquettes and clean the grill itself. Remove loose parts from the grill such as utensils. Clean them and pack them separately taking extra care to securely wrap and label sharp tools. The barbeque needs to be at ambient temperature before being loaded on the moving truck so you may not wish to use the barbeque the day before, or day of the move.
Structures
Your moving company may have restrictions about what type of outdoor structures they will and will not accept. Inquire well before moving day if you are unsure. You don’t want the movers to refuse something at the last minute just because you didn’t know.
If structures are accepted, generally, they must be disassembled and cleaned before loading day. This includes swing sets, play structures, trampolines, gazebos, garden sheds, hot tubs, dog houses, and satellite dishes.
When disassembling these units, take photos at each stage. It will help you remember how to reassemble them. Contain small parts such as screws and bolts in zipper-seal bags. Write the name of the structure on the zipper-seal bag and what part of the structure the pieces belong to. Either attach the zipper-seal bag to the structure itself or put the parts in a toolbox or other labelled bin.
Tools
Tools are a large category of outdoor items that may take time to prepare for a move. Remove debris from long-handled tools such as rakes and shovels. Bundle them together and wrap them in moving blankets or pads. For extremely sharp items such as axes, wrap the blade first for extra protection. Add bright yellow or orange tape and write “SHARP BLADE” on it.
Hand tools can be left in a toolbox. Wadded paper can be added to the box to stop the tools from shifting around inside the box. Carefully wrap the cords of electric power tools. Those with sharp blades should be wrapped individually to ensure the blades do not damage other items or people’s hands.
Drain the gas and oil from engines in lawnmowers, chainsaws, snowblowers, etc. Give them a thorough cleaning – especially underneath lawnmowers where wet grass can ferment and grow mouldy. Mould can spread and cause damage to other items in the shipment as well as become very stinky! Some movers require blades to be removed from lawnmowers. Ask well before moving day in case you need to arrange for special services. Disconnect the spark plug before rolling gas motors onto the moving truck so they can’t accidentally be started during transport.
Bins and Plant Pots
Give recycle, compost, and garbage bins a good washing out. In some municipalities, you must leave the bins at the old house. If this is the case, cleaning them is a nice thing to do for the new occupants. Ensure bins are dry before loading them if you are taking them with you. You can use bins with tight-fitting lids (and wheels) to pack items, such as garden hoses (drained and dried), watering cans, and well-wrapped, smaller garden tools.
Wrap plant pots in paper or old blankets to protect them from breakage. If you have extra-large, heavy pots, the movers can pack those with extra padding. If they have a unique shape, consult the moving company to determine the best way to pack them.
Moving and taking care of all the details can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Out of Chaos is here to help you prepare outdoor items for a move. We can also manage your entire move. Just contact us or view our Move Management Services for more information.
Image by Peter Heeling from Skitterphoto
