As your fingers glide over the piano keys, music from Mozart’s composition plays in your ears. JUST then, it crescendos as the thought of moving your baby comes to mind. How to move a piano without breaking it? That pops right up, no?
First, pianos are very delicate, expensive, and valuable to their owners. Besides, they are not only bulky but also have an odd shape and are very heavy. Because of this, it’s always good to hire experienced movers to assist you in moving your piano—this can be worth your time and money.
However, if you choose to do a DIY piano move, you will need some extra muscle for the job to be successful. In addition, you will need to prepare adequately for the job to be a success.
Failing to make all the necessary preparations risks damaging the piano. Besides, you can hurt yourself in the process. However, this shouldn’t deter you from moving your piano.
How To Move a Piano Easily | Pro Tips from Experience
How to move a piano is easy to answer when you have the right tips in yourw armor. The following are 5 pro tips to help you relocate your piano:
1. Get the Right Tools
You will need these tools if you want to move a piano safely. Acquiring heavy-duty straps will help to provide a better grip on the piano. Also, you will need a strong furniture dolly that can support the total weight of the piano.
You can also use the straps to secure the piano to the moving dolly and the moving truck.
In the event you are not sure of which tools to use, consult a professional moving company—they can advise you on the right tools to use depending on the model of piano you want to move.
Lastly, you will need to buy or rent moving blankets or padding. These help to protect the piano from damage like scrapes and cracks, among other possible damages.
2. Protect the keyboard
This is another crucial step when moving a keyboard—closing and locking the keyboard cover. This prevents the piano from opening while driving it. Please note that piano keys are very fragile—thus, they should be protected.
If the keyboard lid doesn’t lock, close the cover when wrapping the piano. Never use tape or rope to keep the cover closed—these risks damaging the piano’s wooden surface.
3. Cover the Piano
You can use padding and blankets to cover the piano. Ensure that you protect the corners with padding and use packing tape to secure the blanket. Be careful as you tape the blanket—the piano’s surface shouldn’t encounter the tape. Besides, ensure the padding and blanket you use are thick enough to protect the piano in case of bumps.
4. Exercise Extra Caution When Lifting the Piano
The professional movers from Torex, Toronto piano moving company warn you against lifting your piano by its legs—whether placing it on the dolly, into the moving truck, or any other location. Piano legs are very fragile, and they can easily break. Besides, always ensure the piano is upright when moving it. Placing the piano on its side isn’t suitable for its inner components.
Here are the essential steps of moving a piano:
- Place two people at both ends of the piano. Then, place the heavy-duty moving straps under the bottom of the piano—make sure there’s a strap at each end.
- Now, with one person holding a piece of each strap, you’ll have four people helping you—each providing support to the four corners. Carefully lift the piano and place it on the dolly.
- Secure the piano using the straps—and make sure the legs sit flat on the dolly.
- If your piano has casters, lock them in place (if possible) or ensure you’ve secured the piano.
5. Securing the Piano in the Truck
You should place the piano at the back of the truck—next to the back wall that separates the cargo space from the interior cabin. The piano will be one of the items that you pack first and the last you unload.
Most professional movers suggest using wood planks to ensure the floor is level for the piano in case the moving truck doesn’t have a level space. Wood planks help to relieve pressure off the piano legs and casters since they will strain to stay level when moving the piano.
Tips to secure the piano on the moving truck
- Carefully lift the piano from the dolly and place it on the planks
- Secure the piano to the truck’s wall using the straps
- Make sure you’ve secured the piano, and it cannot tip or move around while on the move
Safety Considerations for Moving a Piano
Before you try to DIY moving a piano in a hurry, here are a few things you must remember when attempting to answer how to move a piano! Check out the list:
- Close and lock the keyboard lid to prevent it from opening when you start moving it. The fragile keys may break during the process, this protects it. If the lid does not lock, make sure you close the lid when wrapping the piano.
- Gather people. You do not want to damage your piano by living in the delusion of actually doing the deed on your own. It is not possible, and you will rub your hands in regret. Getting a few extra hands will help you move the piano upright without any mishaps that are common.
- Rent the right equipment. It is essential that you keep equipment such as heavy-duty straps when moving your piano. How to move a piano is incomplete without this one tip where you must have this item. If you move around a lot, buying a strap that can help you make moving the piano easier will be good.
- Wrap the piano securely. This is another one of the most critical safety considerations while moving your piano. This is how you can protect it against any bumps. Securing the piano corners with packing tape and blankets or padding is advised.
- Lift the piano properly. This is another crucial step that helps you ensure it is safe and not close to the risk of breaking. When lifting the piano into the vehicle, be sure to hold the base instead of the legs. Now is the time to use the strap that can help you lift it well, while you have four people on each side.
These are some of the safety considerations that will help you avoid any damage to the piano. This takes your quest for how to move a piano a step further by ensuring you do a secure job of moving the instrument!
Bottom Line
Now you know how to move a piano without breaking it or your bank! Please note that apart from being heavy, pianos have an awkward shape. Upright pianos carry most of their weight in their top half, which makes their legs very fragile. Therefore, you will need a few people, at least four, to assist you with the move.
You can request friends or family to help if you’ve not hired professional piano movers to help you with the job. Don’t forget to provide some refreshments or take them out for a treat to appreciate their effort and time.
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