Once the legs and pedals are removed, Brian wraps and straps the piano. Several moving blankets give it as much cushioning as possible, covering all edges. The next step is to set the piano on a furniture dolly. Piano Movers North Charleston SC takes its time passing it through doorways and corners to reduce the risk of damage.
Get the Right Tools
A piano is a heavy and bulky piece of furniture that requires specialized equipment to move it. Although it is possible to transport a piano yourself, hiring professionals for the task is generally best. This saves you time and energy and can also prevent injuries to you and your helpers.
Even if you decide to take the DIY route, preparing for the move in advance is still crucial. This includes gathering supplies and clearing a path through your home. For example, you will want to remove any items hanging from the piano (like the music rack) and wrap them in blankets for protection. Likewise, it is a good idea to measure all doors, hallways, and staircases that the piano will need to navigate, so you can ensure that there is enough clearance.
In terms of equipment, you will need a piano skid or four-wheel dolly and a truck large enough to accommodate it. In addition to these tools, you should have a large number of moving blankets and padding to protect the instrument from scratches or dents as it is moved. Additionally, you should have a screwdriver on hand to disassemble the legs of the piano. During the move, you will want to have someone standing at each end of the piano skid or dolly to guide it and provide directions. Additionally, you should have one or two additional people as spotters for the sides of the piano.
Once you have the piano loaded into the truck, secure it using ratchet straps to keep it from rolling or sliding during transportation. Once at your new home, you will need to repeat the process of measuring all doorways and hallways that the piano will need to navigate. In addition, you will need to clear a pathway through your home and make sure that there are no rugs or pieces of furniture in the way of the piano.
Lastly, you will need to secure the piano on the dolly and use the ratchet straps to keep it in place as you guide it through your home. Once the piano is in its final location, you will need to reassemble any legs that you removed and remove the blankets.
Plan Ahead
It’s important to plan ahead when moving a grand piano. Not only is this a large and bulky instrument, but it’s also fragile. Take a walkthrough of both the old and new places to make sure that your piano can fit through doors, halls, staircases, and other obstacles. You may need to turn the piano on its side to get it through some spaces, but this should be done carefully and only for short periods of time.
You should also consider whether you need any special equipment for the move. For example, you might need a piano board or four-wheel dolly to help you maneuver the instrument. You should also have a good number of ratchet straps to help keep the piano secure during transport.
Another thing that you should do before moving day is to remove any decorations from the piano and cover it with padded blankets. This will protect the piano from damage during the move and also help prevent scratches or dents to your furniture or home. It’s also a good idea to remove the music rack, wrap it in a blanket, and tape it in place. If you have a full-sized grand piano, you might need to remove the legs before it can be moved.
Finally, you should check your piano for any scratches or dents. While professional movers are trained to treat pianos with care, you should still look over the instrument and note any areas that may need extra attention or protection. You should also make sure that any decorations, such as family photos or houseplants, are removed and stored away before the movers arrive.
One final note about planning is to make sure that you have the right number of people to help you move the piano. You’ll need at least four strong, reliable friends to lift and guide the piano through the house and into the truck or trailer. You should also make sure that children and pets are safely out of the way during the move. The last thing you want is to trip over a kid or pet while trying to maneuver the piano.
Get Help
Grand pianos can be quite heavy, and any misstep during a move could lead to injury or property damage. That’s why it’s important to assemble a strong team of helpers for the move, including those who are familiar with lifting heavy objects and in good physical shape. It’s also a good idea to have a plan for how the piano will leave your current home and enter your new one, which means clearing out all obstacles in the way and making sure you have enough room to maneuver through doorways and other curves.
You’ll also need to have the right supplies and equipment to move your piano. This includes several moving blankets that can cover all parts of the instrument, a dolly that can support the weight of the piano and can handle its bulk, and ratchet straps to secure it during transportation. In addition, you should know how much your piano weighs so you can plan accordingly as you navigate narrow passages, stairs and other challenges.
A good place to start with the preparations is to remove the music rack and wrap it in a separate moving blanket that covers it completely, then tape around its width in multiple places to prevent it from sliding off. Next, the lid should be lifted off and wrapped in a separate blanket as well, covering it completely and taping it in place. Finally, the body of the piano should be set on a dolly that can support its weight and wheeled out and into a truck. Once on the truck, ratchet straps should be used to secure it to the slats found on the walls of the truck.
If you don’t have a team of experienced and capable movers, consider hiring one. A professional will be able to make quick work of the move and can minimize the chances of damage to your precious grand piano. And don’t forget to wait a month or so for your piano to adjust to its new environment, so it can sound as good as ever! Happy moving!
Take Your Time
Upright and grand pianos have significant emotional and financial value, which is why it is important to move them with care. Unfortunately, many homeowners attempt to move their pianos themselves and cause damage as a result of inexperience or carelessness. When moving a piano, it is important to take your time and maneuver the instrument through doors, hallways, and staircases as slowly as possible. This will significantly lower the risk of damaging the piano or your floors.
In addition to taking your time, it is also important to prepare the area where you are moving the piano before beginning the move. This includes ensuring that all doors are propped open, the floor is protected with carpet or a blanket, and furniture that could hit the piano during transport is removed. Additionally, it is a good idea to take the time to measure all places through which you will be moving the piano to ensure that it will fit.
Another essential step when preparing for a piano move is to gather the necessary supplies. Besides moving blankets, you will also need a piano skid board and straps to hold the piano in place. Piano skid boards are available at many physical stores, including Walmart, Harbor Freight, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Additionally, you can find them online at Uboxes, US Cargo Control, and Grainger.
You should also assemble a team of movers. You will need at least four people to lift and move the piano, but more is better. It is important to choose helpers who are in good shape and who have experience lifting heavy items. Make sure that all of the team members are wearing appropriate clothing and shoes for the move. In addition, be sure to remove any children or pets from the vicinity of the piano before you begin lifting it.
The last thing you want is to trip over a pet or child as your group guides the piano through the house and down the ramp to the truck. These hazards can cause sprained or strained muscles and even serious injuries.
