Everyone has heard disaster stories about moving a piano. Everything from busted legs and scratches, to the entire piano being destroyed. If you decide on moving a large piano yourself, proper planning and tools can save you from damaging or destroying your piano. If flights of stairs are involved, it would be best to consider hiring a piano moving company with experience and proper tools.
1. The Weight is the Biggest Factor
Weighing in between five hundred to well over a thousand pounds, a piano will require several people to move it safely. Being extremely top heavy, this affects the balance and needs to be considered before attempting to move it.
2. Castors are not Made for Rolling
The little castors on the legs will not roll across a floor without leaving scratches or even gouges. The legs are very fragile and it is possible they will break if too much pressure is put on them by trying to push the piano. If possible, remove all the legs prior to moving it to minimize the chance of being broken.
3. Use a Dolly Made for the Job
There are special dollies made for moving pianos. They will keep it flat and secure with the ability to roll your piano up ramps of a moving truck. These dollies will save a lot of work from trying to carry a piano very far and will reduce the chances of damage.
4. Getting the Piano Ready
Preparing for the big move requires furniture pads, heavy duty straps, and a special dolly made for moving pianos. The lids should be closed and if lockable, should be locked. After covering with pads, the piano should be lifted and strapped to the dolly. The piano should be one of the first things that will be loaded in the truck to leave room to navigate.
5. Planning the Way
This needs to be taken into consideration to know where your piano will fit. The doorways need to be wide enough, turns around corners should be planned, and porch steps have to be accounted for. All obstacles should be out of the way. No toys, bicycles, or skateboards should be in the path.
6. Children
Pets should be put in a secure spot away from the moving path. Children also have a habit of being in the way and should be placed away from the movers. A dropped piano could seriously injure a child or pet.
When reaching the home for your new piano, the same care should be taken when moving in. Keeping the path free of obstacles is one of the most important things, if just one person trips, most likely everybody will also fall. Complete planning from beginning to end will keep everyone safe and the piano free of damage.
No matter how careful the moving process is, the piano is still a delicate instrument. After it is settled in its new location, a proper tuning will be required. Now it is time to enjoy your piano at its new home.