Anyone who has spent a summer in Houston knows the heat is no joke. Between the temperatures in the high 90s and the humidity that makes it feel even hotter, moving in July or August takes more planning than a move in milder months. After more than 40 years of moving Houston families through every kind of Texas summer, we have learned what works and what makes for a miserable day. Here is how to move in the Houston heat without wearing yourself out or putting your belongings at risk.
Start as Early as Possible
The single best thing you can do is start early in the morning. Temperatures in Houston are at their lowest right after sunrise, and every hour you push into the afternoon makes the work harder and hotter. If you are hiring movers, ask for the first slot of the day. If you are doing it yourself, aim to have the truck loaded before noon if you can. The difference between loading at 7 a.m. and loading at 2 p.m. is enormous.
Stay Hydrated, and Mean It
This sounds obvious, but heat exhaustion sends people to the emergency room every summer, and moving day is exactly the kind of hard physical work that brings it on. Keep a cooler of water and electrolyte drinks within reach and actually drink from it, before you feel thirsty, not after. Take breaks in the shade or in air conditioning even when you feel fine. If anyone helping you feels dizzy, nauseous, or stops sweating, stop and cool down immediately.
Protect Heat-Sensitive Belongings
Houston heat does not just affect people. The inside of a moving truck can climb well past 100 degrees, and certain items do not handle that well. Candles, electronics, vinyl records, artwork, and some medications can warp, melt, or degrade in that kind of heat. Pack heat-sensitive items separately and, if possible, move them in your own air-conditioned vehicle rather than the back of a hot truck. Load them last so they spend the least time possible in the heat.
Keep the Power On Until Moving Day
It is tempting to shut off the utilities at your old place the day before you move, but in a Houston summer that is a mistake. You want the air conditioning running while you load, and running at the new place when you arrive. Walking boxes into a house that has been closed up with no AC in August is brutal. Schedule your utility transfers so both homes stay cool on moving day.
Dress for the Work
Light-colored, loose, breathable clothing makes a real difference. So does a hat and sunscreen for the parts of the move that happen outside. Good shoes with grip matter too, since sweat and heat make for slippery hands and tired feet. Small things, but they add up over a long day.
Know When to Call in Help
There is a point where doing it yourself in the Houston heat stops being worth the money you save. A professional crew moves faster, which means less time in the heat for everyone, and they know how to handle the loading, the timing, and the heavy lifting safely. If the thought of hauling furniture across a hot parking lot in August makes you tired just reading it, that is a sign worth listening to.
At Betton Moving Company, we have been moving Houston families through summer heat since 1985. Our crews know how to work efficiently, protect your belongings from the heat, and get the job done before the worst of the afternoon sun. If you are planning a summer move anywhere in the Greater Houston area, contact us for a free quote and let us handle the heavy lifting. Feel free to call us anytime at 281-531-6683.