The Amazing Benefits of Hiring a Professional, Moving Company

Three Essential Steps To Successfully Moving An Upright Piano

9 January 2017

Russell King

Moving a piano is not for the faint of heart. There are quite a few precautions that must be taken if you want to avoid being injured or damaging the instrument. In fact, it's best to have professional movers with experience in this area move the piano for you. If, for one reason or another, that's not possible, here are three tips to help you get your piano to your new home in one piece.

Plan Your Route

One of the most important steps you can take is to plan how you're going to get the piano out of your home to the truck and from the truck to your new residence. Investing time to scout the route will help you determine exactly what tools, supplies, and personnel you need to safely get the piano to its ultimate destination. For example, if there are stairs at your new home, you may want to rent a ramp so you and your helpers don't have to lift a several hundred pound piano up each step.

If there are multiple paths you can take to relocate the piano, use the one that requires the least amount of effort and offers the smoothest transition possible. Upright pianos can weigh as much as 800 pounds or more. Although these instruments are heavy and bulky, their internal machinery is very sensitive. Every time you have to move the instrument, you risk an injury to yourself, your helpers, and the piano. So the less you have to move and manipulate the instrument, the better.

Prepare the Piano

The next step is to prepare the piano for the move. First, lock down the keyboard and lid. If your piano doesn't have latches for these items, use tape to hold them in place. The goal is to prevent the lids from flying open while you're trying to move the instrument. Second, wrap the piano in blankets to protect it from the bumps and scuffs during the move. Use packing tape or strong rope to secure the blanket

It's critically important you do not try to move the piano using its wheels, especially if the instrument has been sitting in one place for a long period of time. Piano wheels deteriorate over time, and there's a good chance they will break if you attempt to move several hundred pounds using them. Additionally, piano wheels can tear up your floor and carpet, so it's a good idea to use a dolly to transport the instrument around.

To be safe, you should have 1 person per 100 pounds your piano weighs helping to move the instrument. For a 500 pound piano, for instance, you should have a minimum of 5 people. Carefully move the instrument to the truck and then strap it securely inside using furniture belts.

Beware of Stairs

It's best to avoid moving the piano up multiple flights of stairs if at all possible because the stairs may not hold the combined weight of the piano and the people moving it. However, if the stairs are sturdy enough and the piano will fit, then take your time transporting the instrument. Use a ramp if at all possible, and make sure the majority of the helpers are at the bottom end of the instrument to improve stability.

Take care on landings and corners to ensure people don't get squeezed between the railing and the piano when trying to turn a corner.

Moving a piano involves a lot of work. As mentioned previously, you should probably pay the extra cost to have professionals move the instrument for you. For more tips on relocating a piano or to hire someone to do it for you, contact a local moving company like Bekins Transfer & Storage.

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