Pack to Protect For Long Distance Moving in Canada
Packing is just one of the tasks that will be on a moving checklist among many others, such as finding a suitable Toronto moving company (not all of them offer long distance moving services!), notifying all relevant parties of your relocation and deciding which possessions are not going to make the trip with you. However, while it might just be one task on a list containing dozens, it is certainly one of the more important ones and something you absolutely must “get right” if your move is to be a success. This is especially true of long distance moving, since your belongings will be in transit for a much longer period of time, increasing the chances that damage could occur (especially if there’s plenty of bumpy stretches of road along the way). With three decades of experience providing long distance moving services to clients in Toronto, Oakville, Etobicoke and Mississauga as well as numerous other locations, we know how items need to be packed to offer maximum protection and are going to share some of our top tips with you during this article.
Packing Tips that You Absolutely Must Implement When Moving Long Distance
Many people take a really “relaxed” approach to packing when long distance moving to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, completing this task in as little time as possible and using packing materials that are not up to the job. In order to avoid the disappointment of opening your moving boxes after a long journey and finding many of your precious belongings smashed into smithereens, take note of the following tips.
- Use the Right Tools For the Job – It doesn’t matter how skilled the employees of the long distance moving service that you use are, if you don’t do a good job at packing your belongings, the chances that something will get damaged are very high. Proper packing for a long distance move starts with having the right tools for the job. This means using packing boxes and materials that are tailored to the items that you are packing, i.e. if you are moving mirrors or pictures, you will need large, flat boxes. However, if you are packing your set of priceless champagne flutes then you will need a different type of box; smaller boxes that contain specially designed partitions are ideal. Then there is a whole range of different solutions for clothes. You get the idea. Don’t just pack everything in the same old generic boxes; be more specific.
- Don’t Forget to Pack Breakables Individually Too! – It doesn’t just stop at using the proper boxes though. For breakable items (it’s not necessary to do this for things likes books or clothes) it’s always wise to apply a layer (or two) of protection before they are even placed into the box. Bubble wrap is ideal for items that feature glass as it adds a cushion across the item’s whole surface area, but packing paper can work very well too.
- Fill In Those Spaces – It’s very unusual that all of the items you place in a box will fit together perfectly like in a game of Tetris. There will usually be gaps between items and these gaps can create problems, especially when the items are being transported considerable distances, which is the case with long distance moving. This is because as the moving truck goes over bumps or goes round a sharp bend, these gaps allow the items to move in the box, which can sometimes be enough to damage them. This can be prevented by using packing pellets. These are small pieces of foam that “plug” these gaps and make sure nothing is allowed to move throughout the duration of the trip.
- Heavier Boxes at the Bottom – Heavier items should be packed in smaller boxes and lighter items should go into bigger boxes, since that will make the task of loading the truck so much easier for the long distance moving team that you hire and reduce the chance that boxes could be dropped. It’s also vitally important, if you choose to do the move yourself, that the heavier boxes are placed on the bottom of the truck.
- Label Boxes Containing Fragile Items – You should ideally clearly label each of the boxes you pack. Listing the contents of the box or simply indicating which room it’s for can make things a lot easier when it comes to unloading. It’s also a good idea to label any boxes that contain breakables with a clear “FRAGILE” sign so your Toronto movers know to take extra care with that specific box.
While it has nothing to do with the actual packing of your belongings, one of the best ways in which you can protect them is to take your time in selecting a good Toronto moving company. This will ensure that Toronto movers you do hire are properly trained and know how to properly handle, load and unload your items, in addition to having all the required equipment available. Europa Moving & Storage employs some of the most experienced Toronto movers around and offers a range of moving services to homeowners in Toronto, Oakville, Etobicoke and Mississauga, including both local and long distance moving.
About Europa Movers Toronto
Europa Movers Toronto is a professional moving and storage company operating out of Toronto, ON, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout Toronto, GTA, Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.
Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or office moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.
