If you have lived in your home for quite a while, you probably have accumulated some big pieces of furniture or possibly some heirlooms. When planning on moving house, considering these items are of utmost importance as they might require special attention, particularly during transport. One of those items could be a piano. For a comprehensive guide on how to properly move it, please read on.

Enlist the Help of a Professional

The safest, easiest, and most reliable way of moving large items such as a piano is to contact a professional. Pianos are extremely heavy and bulky. To avoid damaging it, or even worse – hurting yourself, get in contact with us as we specializes in moving large and sensitive items like pianos, pool tables, and antiques at affordable prices. However, if a DIY is more your type of method, it is still possible to move most pianos with some extra manpower and preparation.

Gather the Right Moving Materials

To prepare your piano for the big day, as well as to transport it safely to its new location, you will need the following tools and materials:

• Heavy duty moving blankets to protect the piano from scratches and bumps.
• Packing straps and ropes to keep the blankets wrapped around the piano, so it does not slip.
• Furniture straps to provide a better grip of the piano when moving it by hand, so it does not fall on your feet. This will also protect you and people who are helping you from back injuries.
• Moving dolly is a must have when moving oversized items such as pianos. Ensure it is sturdy with four wheels.
• Moving vehicle – a vehicle with a hydraulic lift or a truck with a ramp is recommended to make it easier loading the piano into it.

Prepare Your Piano for the Move

The piano lid should be securely closed to ensure the keys are protected during the transport.

Remove any wheels – these are for moving down a hallway or just for decoration and should not be used to move the piano into a moving truck. Otherwise, you might break or damage the wheels.

Lay music stands down and secures them to the piano to protect them from breaking.

Wrap the entire piano in moving blankets to reduce the chance of scuff marks or scratches, and secure the blankets around the piano with tape and ropes.

Create a Moving Plan

Measure the dimensions of your piano with a tape measure, as well as dimensions of the areas your piano will need to pass through.

Remove all obstacles that will get in the way (includes taking doors off hinges if necessary).

Ensure truck doors are open and hydraulics or ramps are ready to use.

Preset your plan to all team members, so they know where they should place the piano when they arrive at your new home.

Load Your Piano onto the Truck

This step can vary depending on the type of piano you have.

Moving a small upright piano will require all the lifters to lift the piano from underneath and with small steps, gradually move the piano onto the dolly. Ensure that the piano remains in its upright position at all times so that its internal mechanics are not damaged. To avoid injury, make sure all the movers are bending correctly and using appropriate lifting techniques (bending at the knees to prevent hurting their backs). Carefully lift the piano to put it in the truck. Make sure that at least 4 people are holding the piano, so two can support the weight of the piano while the other two people are lifting it.

Moving a grand piano is much trickier. When the lid is closed, and legs and other parts are disassembled, place your moving dolly at the end of the piano ensuring there are at least two people at the dolly end of the piano. These people have to support the weight of the piano and keep it upright. Gently lean your piano onto the dolly, and roll it toward the moving truck. Once you reach the truck, the two movers should pull the piano up the ramp into the truck while two others push from behind (make sure these people are not directly behind the piano in case it rolls back down the ramp). It is also important to provide support belts for the back to prevent injuries, and to remove all the obstacles that might get in the way.

However, if you want to eliminate the possibility of injuries and damage, hire professional removalists who are much more equipped and experienced at moving large items.

Now, for both types, once inside the truck, make sure that the piano is secured using heavy-duty straps and ropes. But make sure not to forget the piano seat!

Place it in an easily accessible location, and remove it first from the truck once you arrive at the destination.

Conclusion

Conducting a DIY piano removal and relocation can be stressful and even dangerous. It is a difficult task that requires a couple of extra hands to help you and also thorough preparation. If you want to avoid the difficult and tedious side of moving your beloved piano, contact Redcliffe Removals to safely and securely move your piano to its new home.