Moving Artwork

When you are moving your artwork, there is a lot at stake. Whether it is a photo framed in glass oil painting or collage, your artwork needs to be treated with love and care.
Here are some tips for keeping everything safe in a move

1. You have to start with a box that is bigger than the frame. A box sized to a frame will undoubtedly not leave enough room for the padding.
2. Tape only one end of the box with plenty of packing tape.
3. Using a lot of bubble wrap (don't be shy!) wrap the artwork like a gift. Use packing tape with the bubble wrap.
4. Once the piece is wrapped, slide it into the open side of the box. Close the box and wrap with packing tape.

5. Write "Fragile" all over the box, and if it will be helpful to you, identify which piece of artwork is inside the box.

6. While moving, keep the packed box on its side (not flat) The picture can handle any pressure more easily on if it is keep vertical.

Extra Protection:

1. If you have many different pieces that you need protected, pack all the pictures on their edge into a wardrobe box. Make sure the wardrobe box is secured in place by packing other boxes around it.
2. You can buy special cardboard protectors for the edges of frames. You should be able to find these in packing stores.
3. Make sure all pieces of boxed artwork is protected by other boxes. Fit them securely in your moving truck.

Moving Plants

While you were preparing for your move, you may have forgotten about your little green friends and how they are going to be moved. No worries however, because here is a guide on moving those plants without harming them and grow anew at your future home:

• If your moving a long distance (across state lines or internationally), move your plants yourself! This is important because while your moving company will most likely move your plants for you, they do not water them.
• If you cant (or don't have room to) travel with your plants in your own car or transport, moisten their soil before the trip. This should help them survive the journey. Remember that most plants can survive for up to 10 days without water.
  
• If you are moving across state lines, find out if that state allows for your plants. Certain states (e.g. Florida and California) are strict about what plants are allowed to be brought into their state.
• For your larger plants, cut back some of their growth so as to reduce their space requirements. This doesn't harm the plant, as it will simply grow back what it has lost.
• Many plants cant survive in certain temperatures (below 30 or above 100 degrees), so transport them accordingly. Place them in heated vehicles in the winter and air conditioned vehicles in the summer.

Moving with Cats and Dogs

Pets are very environment sensitive, so a move can and is just as hard on them as it is on you. Here are some tips on how to make moving with pets easier on both you and them:

• During the packing and moving process, continue on your normal routine with your pet(s).
  
• If the animal stays primarily indoors, you may want to have him stay at another persons home for the most hectic days of the move.
  
• Cats: Cats are very attached to their environments and they may have the most difficult time leaving their home. Bring some items the cats familiar with so the move isn't such a drastic change and your pet will adapt to its new environment more easily. If your cat stays primarily outdoors, watch him the first few times he ventures outdoors to be sure he's comfortable with his environment.
  
• Dogs: Dogs are much better at adapting to their new surroundings, so you will not need to take as much special care as with cats. When you move into your new home, take your dog for a quick walk to let him know his boundaries and to explore his new environment.

Moving an Oven

Most people will never have to use this guide, as you will rarely have to move your oven, but this guide is for the people who do need to. Most new homes and apartments already have ovens installed but if it doesn't, heres a guide on how to move and install your own:

• Clean the oven thoroughly. Remove all removable parts. Be sure to store these items in a clearly labeled container.
• Do not try and cap/remove the gas line yourself. Hire a qualified technician to do it for you. Have this same professional reattach the gas line at your new home. Make sure he also checks that all of the openings are sealed.
  

Moving a Dryer

Moving a dryer is a lot like moving a washing machine, but with a few important differences. Heres another appliance moving guide to help you move said dryer:

• Unplug your dryer from the electrical socket.
  
• Fully clean the lint screen inside the dryer.
  
• Check the dryers manual to be sure that the electrical requirements for the dryer are at your new residence.
• Hire a qualified technician if your dryer is gas powered. Do not try to remove your dryer from the wall by yourself or cap the gas line. The same technician should also install your dryer at your new home.
• Carry Carefully!
  

Packing a Television (Big Screen)

A television, especially a big one, can be a major hassle to pack. This is one of the items that you own that, especially if its a plasma screen, you must be extremely careful with as it is very fragile and when it breaks, it breaks for good. Heres a set of tips to help you move you're TV safely.

• Find the original box that the television came in, or get a large box approximately the same size as the TV. Get foam forms also to keep the TV safe inside its box.
• Unplug all cables from the television and from the cable box. Be sure to call your cable company to pick up your cable box as it is owned by the cable company.
  
• Lay the television on its side or back and place the foam forms on both ends. Then slide the television into the box, slowly and carefully
• If you do not have the original box and subsequently don't have the foam forms, you will have to purchase some Styrofoam blocks to safely transport your TV. You can find them at most stores that sell packing supplies. Just place two of these blocks on either end of the TV and one on the bottom where it stands, and tape them to the television to secure them.
• If there is any wiggle room in your box, fill it with more Styrofoam and label your box.
  

Moving a Dishwasher

The home your moving to may have a dishwasher installed already, but if it doesn't have one, you may need to move your old dishwasher to the new home. Here are some helpful tips to do just that:

• Clean the inside and outside of the dishwasher, including the racks (where the dishes/glasses go). Make sure to dry the dishwasher thoroughly, as moisture can lead to mildew or even mold. Keep the door open a few days prior to the move to be sure all moisture is evaporated.
• Remove and drain all hoses. Check your dishwashers manual for how to disconnect and drain the hoses, as they are all different. Wrap the hoses in towels or another type of cloth and put them inside the dishwasher. You can also tape the hoses to a side of the dishwasher to be sure they do not move during transit.
• Tape the dishwasher door shut.
  
• Move the dishwasher carefully and slowly!!!
  

Moving a Washing Machine

Heres another set of tips on moving large appliances, this one about moving a washing machine. Moving a dishwasher can be a hassle but hopefully these tips will make moving a washing machine safer and easier for you!

• Make sure you have done all (or most) of the laundry you will need to do. It wouldn't be fun to remove your washing machine from your wall and then realize you have nothing to wear the next day!
• Drain all of the water from the washing machine. The simplest way to do this is just to tip it on its side somewhere outdoors. Soak up the remaining water in the machine with a towel or cloth, and dry the inside of the machine.
• Take out all drawers and other accessories in the washer (if there are any). Be sure to keep them in a place where you can find them later (e.g. box labeled Washing Machine Stuff).
• Disconnect and drain the hoses. You can store the hoses inside the washing machine itself, just be sure to protect the metal connector heads of said hoses with a towel or cloth.
  
• Secure the tub to keep it from moving and causing damage to the machine. This can be done by stuffing towels into the area between the tub and the sides of the washing machine. Be sure to check your owners manual as well, some machines have different types tubs and different ways to keep them secure during transit.
• Tape the lid of the machine shut.
• Hire a professional to install your washing machine for you, as it can be very complicated. When you first run your washing machine, try it on the low water level setting. If the machine is connected improperly, you will find out without the huge leakage that would happen with the machine on a different setting.
  

Moving a Fridge

I realized that some types of "furniture" (especially large appliances) are much more difficult to move and my previous guide wouldn't be very helpful for moving things like refrigerators, washers, dryers, televisions, etc. So here are some helpful tips on moving your fridge safely:

• Remove all removable parts (shelves and drawers) and food from the fridge and freezer.
  
• Unplug the Fridge from the wall.
  
• Vacuum the condenser/compressor, and clean out the water tray and evaporator pan.
• Let the fridge sit for at least a day to dry.
  
• Hire a technician to connect the water line of your new home to the back of your fridge.
• Wait at least a day before you use your fridge at your new home. This will prevent any damage to the fridges compressor.
  

Packing/Moving Furniture

Moving your furniture is always a hassle. Here are some tips on how to help movers move your furniture more easily and more safely:

• Dissasemble anything you can. Take off legs from couches, pillows, bed frames etc. Be sure to keep these items in a box labeled for the furniture that you dismantled.
• All the legs of couches, tables, chairs and desks that cant be dissasembled should be wrapped in bubble wrap for their protection.
• Store all screws, nuts, bolts, etc.. Plastic bags are the most reliable storage for these items as they dont break easily and everything will stay together.
• All drawers should be taped shut, especially if you are moving the item by hand. If the peice of furniture is being stored in a box, it doesnt need to be taped shut.
• Wrap all glass (tabletops, some cabinets, etc.) with a blanket or cloth to prevent scratches and other damage to it.

Packing Lists and Labels

When your unpacking your belongings after a big move, it can be very frustrating when you cant find something or find out that you left it behind. Thats why lists and labels are so important. Before packing, make a list of all your important items (and unimportant items) and check them off when you pack them. You should also write what box you packed them into. Make sure each box has similar items in it, and put a label on the box describing what the items are in that box.(and a number after the label if you have more than one box of say kitchen items, there should be a Kitchen1 box, Kitchen2 etc..) You should also add these boxes to your list as well, as no one likes to lose a box filled with say, the record collection they have accumulated over 15 years, because you forgot to put it into the moving truck.

Some Basic Packing Tips

I'm going to start with some very basic moving tips that I hope will help you pack your belongings safer and more quickly.

Before you even begin your packing experience, you need some supplies to pack your belongings into and to help keep them safe. I will list these supplies below.

• Boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. Get as many boxes as you can of different sizes for your different sized belongings. Also, its very important that these boxes are sturdy and can hold the weight of the objects that they are carrying
  
• Corrugated paper for figurines and other precious items
• Packing (Foam) Peanuts
  
• Tissue Paper for fragile, breakable objects (such as glassware)
  
• Tape
• A scissor to cut said tape and paper
  

These are the basic supplies you need to get started packing. I will go into more detail about packing certain items like furniture and books in later posts.

Welcome to Lightning Van Lines Blog

Hello and welcome to Lighting Van Lines Moving blog! My name is Haim Zaguri, and I'm the CEO of San Francisco-based moving company Lightning Van Lines. I know firsthand how intimidating a move can be, no matter how large or small. I've started this blog as a place to give helpful tips and advice on how to reduce your stress in the moving process, as well as make your move quicker, more efficient and more enjoyable.

I've learned so much through my experiences with Lighting that I wanted to share that knowledge with not just our customers, but anyone that's looking for a little advice about their moving day. I will be posting more information about Lighting as well as news and information I think might be valuable for my readers.