Check the forecast the week before a winter move in the Staffordshire Moorlands and you may see anything from crisp sunshine to driving rain or snow. Leek and the surrounding moorland sit higher than the nearby Potteries, and conditions can change quickly. Moving house at this time of year is perfectly possible, but it pays to plan for the weather rather than hope it stays kind.
Roads that change with the weather
The A53 between Leek and Stoke-on-Trent, and the roads climbing out of Leek towards Buxton and the Roaches, cross high, exposed ground. Snow, ice, fog and strong winds can all slow traffic or make some routes difficult. Smaller moorland roads and country lanes may be gritted later than main routes, or not at all.
In the days before the move, keep an eye on forecasts and local travel updates. On the day itself, allow more time than you think you need, and agree with your movers how they will keep you informed if they are delayed.
Building a backup plan
The most useful thing you can do for a winter move is decide in advance what happens if the weather turns. Questions worth answering early include:
- If the move has to be postponed, how flexible are your completion dates and tenancy end dates?
- Is there somewhere you could stay for a night or two if you cannot get into the new home?
- Could your belongings be held in temporary storage until roads are clear?
- Who needs to be told if the plan changes, such as solicitors, landlords or family helping out?
Talk this through with any firm you are considering. A Leek removal company that also runs storage can make a delay much less stressful. Move My Stuff, a family-run removals and self storage business based in Stoke-on-Trent, covers Leek and the wider area and offers temporary storage, so belongings can be kept safe if the new home is not ready or a road is not passable.
They give free, no-obligation quotes with transparent pricing, which is a good moment to ask how they handle weather-related changes.
Protecting floors and doorways
Wet weather means wet boots, and a steady stream of people carrying furniture in and out can quickly ruin carpets and wooden floors. Before the crew arrives:
- Lay down floor protectors, old sheets or cardboard along the main route through each house.
- Put a large mat at each door and keep a few old towels handy.
- Clear and grit any paths, steps and drives, especially on steep Leek streets.
- Make sure outside lights work, as winter afternoons get dark early.
Keeping belongings dry and safe from the cold
Cardboard boxes soften when they get damp, so pack carefully and keep boxes indoors until the vehicle is ready to load. Plastic bags or stretch wrap over upholstered furniture and mattresses help keep out rain during the short trip from door to vehicle. Professional crews use blankets and straps, which protect furniture from knocks as well as the weather.
Some items do not like the cold. Electronics, house plants, paint, and anything with liquid inside can be affected by freezing temperatures. Move these in your own car where possible, and let electronics reach room temperature before switching them on in the new house.
Getting the new home ready
If you can, visit the new property before moving day. Check that the heating works, set it to come on ahead of your arrival, and make sure you know where the stopcock and fuse box are. In older stone houses or converted mills, it can take a while for rooms to warm up, so having the heating running early makes unpacking far more comfortable.
Pack a winter essentials box to travel with you: kettle, mugs, warm drinks, torches, spare batteries, phone chargers, bedding and a change of warm clothes. If you are delayed, this box will keep everyone comfortable.
Daylight and timing
Short winter days leave less time for loading, driving and unloading. Start as early as you can, and keep the morning clear of other errands. Ask your movers to load the items you will need first last, so they come off the vehicle first at the new home.
A winter move around Leek can be a calm one if you plan for the moorland weather rather than against it. Have a backup plan, protect your floors and belongings, and keep in touch with your movers, and a grey January morning need not derail your fresh start.
