Mastering Piano Moving: A Practical Guide
Have you considered how you are going to move that piano?
Many people have given away or junked their old pianos, but many keep them and enjoy them for a lifetime.
Recently, one lady wrote about how she loved her old upright piano, but it was time to part with it! First, she tried to sell it, but there were no buyers. Then she decided to give it away. Still, there were no takers!
Finally, she decided it was too precious to part with and ended up moving it. After all, it was a family heirloom. Her aunt had taught students about it. When her aunt died, it became hers; her daughters had taken lessons on it. It belonged in the family! “Besides, it has a wonderful sound,” she noted, “but it is heavy. How do I move it to our new home?”
Your moving team should be trained to know exactly what to do. At Lambert, we know the best way to move pianos, china cabinets, and other large sentimental pieces of furniture. Moving a piano from one location to another requires planning.
Though large and heavy, pianos are delicate instruments that require protection inside and out. Don’t let anyone tell you that a piano can be rolled out the door and loaded on a truck like another piece of heavy furniture!
A practical guide to moving a piano
This article offers a practical guide to moving a piano based on the expertise of the professionals with Lambert Moving Systems, which began in 1925 and has since established itself as a trusted family-owned and operated business. Over the years, Lambert has built a solid reputation for delivering exceptional moving services to countless satisfied customers.
One of the factors that sets Lambert Moving Systems apart is its partnership with northAmerican Van Lines. With these pieces in place, we can move you and your piano with care to most any place in the country.
When moving your piano, begin with the following—
- Know your piano’s specifications. Details will help you and your professional team make the process safer and easier. Identify the type and model of your piano, as this information can help determine its size and weight. Measure the piano’s length, width, and height. Will it fit through doorways, stairwells, and hallways during the move?
Inspect the piano for any visible damage or wear and tear. Take photos and write down any pre-existing issues. Consider the climate conditions in your present location and where you will be moving.
Fluctuations make a huge difference once the piano is in its new location. You can get it tuned once it is safely moved. Before you move, be sure to check your insurance coverage to ensure your piano is adequately covered.
Can I move the Piano myself?
Do not attempt to move a piano without the appropriate equipment and tools! But if you do, you will need the following:
- A piano dolly is a four-wheeled cart designed to carry heavy objects, such as pianos. It comes in different sizes to accommodate both grand and upright pianos and has a padded surface to protect the piano’s finish.
- Moving straps are essential for lifting and maneuvering the piano, distributing the weight evenly, and reducing the risk of injury to movers and damage to the piano.
- Moving blankets provide a protective layer to wrap around the piano, preventing scratches and dings during transportation.
- If you’re moving a grand piano, a piano skid board is a wooden platform with built-in wheels designed specifically for this purpose, allowing for easy mobility and support while keeping the piano stable during the move.
- Stair climbing equipment, such as motorized stair climbers or stair roller carts, may be necessary to move the piano up or down stairs safely.
- Piano covers and furniture sliders can also be helpful for protecting the piano and making it easier to move within a room.
- A basic toolkit with screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches may be needed to disassemble and reassemble certain piano parts, such as the legs or pedals, for easier transportation.
- Safety gloves, safety goggles, and back support belts help to prevent injuries.
- Ramps and threshold ramps can assist in smoothly transitioning the piano over curbs, steps, or uneven surfaces, reducing the risk of damage.
- Straps, ropes, and tie-downs should be used to secure the piano on the dolly or in the moving truck to prevent shifting during transit.
Your moving truck should have a ramp or lift-gate to safely load and unload the piano. If you’re moving a grand piano and expect a significant change in climate or environmental conditions you will need to have the piano tuned once it arrives at its new location. (Tips from the MovingBlog.com)
- Secure your piano in the truck. If moving the piano is a part of a larger move, you should know how to secure the piano in the truck using moving blankets and straps mentioned above. Remember: A piano is top-heavy making it possible to tip over if not secured properly. Baby grands can collapse if too much stress is placed on their legs. Suggestion: Get at least 4 people to help in carrying the piano onto the moving vehicle to maintain stability and balance.
Always wrap the piano with protective coverings such as moving blankets. Then, secure the moving blankets with packing tape. The blanket or padding should always be thick enough to prevent scratches or dents.
You will need to purchase, rent, or borrow a pair of heavy-duty straps to take the brunt of the weight off you and your fellow movers and provide more support for the piano itself. A dolly is another piece of equipment you’ll need to move a piano since it can help move it into a truck or van. Check that the dolly can handle the piano’s weight.
- Plan your route out of your old home and into your new one. The best move always begins with planning. Plan how your piano will be loaded on the truck. Plan the route from inside your house to the truck. Make sure doorways are wide enough and that the path is obstacle-free.
Once it is loaded in the truck, make sure it is secured, and there’s no chance it will slide. Then pull out your plan for the route you will take to your new home. Whether you are moving across the state or city, try choosing a roadway that is free of potholes and maintenance issues.
- Unloading and Unpacking After reaching your new location, you can reverse some of these steps. The main thing at this point is to keep a steady pace in removing the piano from the truck and into its new location. Your best bet is to have a team of experts on hand to do the work. They are trained, and they make the packing and unpacking process easier.
If you have found this article helpful, be sure to check out our other blogs on moving!
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com
