What's In A Box? Understanding How To Select And Seal Cardboard Cartons
While there may seem to be little or nothing to know about cardboard boxes, it may surprise you to learn there are a few best practices that can help you properly utilize them when packing. The misuse of a cardboard box can cost you both time and money should it collapse during a move. Below is more information about cardboard boxes and how to select and seal them properly:
Read the label
Grab any corrugated, cardboard box and flip it upside down. Printed on the bottom of the box, you will see a round label that bears the term "box certificate." This imprint contains several pieces of important data that can help you decide if its use is appropriate for a certain packing and moving task. Here are a couple of relevant details from the certificate:
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Construction type - This first bit of data will tell you whether the box is a singlewall, doublewall or triplewall corrugated carton. This indicates how many layers are pressed together to form the walls of the box. The more layers, the stronger the box should be in theory, all other things being equal.
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Burst strength - This second number indicates the overall ability of a box to withstand internal pressures.
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Gross weight limit - Pay the most attention to this value; the gross limit lets users know how much weight can be packed into the box. Exceeding the value is likely to cause failure of the carton.
The above data is useful, because it will help you match carton specifications with your items that need to be packed. For example, objects that are dirty, greasy or oily are best packed in a multi-walled box. The extra layers will help absorb potentially-messy substances and serve to insulate them from surrounding items.
As another example, you do not want to overfill a low-burst strength rated box with highly compressed materials, such as a bedding or clothing. These objects place strain on the walls and may cause them to separate from one another along the seams.
Tape it properly
Once you have selected your box, you should tape it properly so it will hold together. For boxes that have been folded flat, which is how moving cartons are commonly sold, you will need to secure the bottom flaps before packing.
Begin by pushing the walls out, so the box takes its shape. Next, turn it upside down so the bottom flaps of the box are pointed vertically. Fold the first two opposite flaps inward, then fold the second pair of flaps over on top of them. If you aren't sure which pair of flaps should be folded first, keep in mind the box certificate is going to be visible once the box is assembled.
While holding the flaps of the box down, run a strip of packing tape along the seam between the two flaps and extend the tape over each edge to hold the flaps down. Next, attach a couple of inches of tape over the edge of the box, so it is close to one corner. Following that, run the strip of tape across the bottom of the box diagonally and tape it down on the opposite corner of the box. Repeat this same step, except run the strip of tape across the other pair of corners.
When finished, you will have formed a pattern of tape that appears to be an "X" with a single strip of tape bisecting the "X". This particular pattern provides protection against twisting forces, and it also lends itself to a strong center point at the bottom of the box where three strips of tape intersect. You can repeat this same pattern when closing the top of the box, but it isn't as critical if you wish to conserve your tape usage.
For more information, contact a professional moving company, such as Wheaton World Wide Moving.