Moving the piano is not for the faint-hearted. Anyone who has done it will tell you that it is a difficult task and needs manpower and a lot of preparation. The task is so troublesome that you have several piano moving companies across the country. Most pianos weigh between 300 to 1000 pounds. Therefore it is recommended that you get professional help for moving the piano. Many times it is the most valuable item in the house with the instrument costing thousands of dollars. If you still wish to move the piano yourself here are some tips,
Get the necessary material and moving supplies
Firstly, you have to ensure that you have everything you need to securely move the piano. For moving both upright and grand pianos you will need a lot of moving blankets for its protection. The last thing you need is scratches. You may use blankets or thick towels for covering the piano. You will also need a lot of tapes to make sure that the blankets stay in place. Moving the piano also needs a dolly with the requisite strength to hold the piano.
Because of the size and structure of the grand pianos they are more complicated to move and need additional supplies. Apart from the moving blankets, you can also get appropriate piano boards for handling the move. For holding the piano in place on the skit boards you will also require straps with a screwdriver.
Get helpers
Once you get all the necessary material in place you will have to put together a team of helpers. You are going to need at least four persons or even more depending on the size of the machine and the difficulty involved in the move. The best way is getting your friends, neighbors, and family members with the experience of moving such heavy items and they also need to be in reasonable shape. Ensure that they wear all the necessary clothing required for moving and sneakers with excellent traction.
Measure the staircase, doorway, and hallway
Before executing the move you will have to take into account the places in the home where the piano has to pass through. Ensure that you have measured all the staircases, doorways, and hallways to check how easy it is to maneuver the piano through them. It is a wise idea to keep the doors open and floors properly protected. The furniture that is likely to get in the way must be removed before moving the piano. If there is a concern that the instrument might nick a corner or get scratches during the process, try to cover all the sharp edges by using additional towels or baby-proof bumpers.
Protecting the keyboard and lifting the piano
Moving both kinds of pianos “upright” and “grand” requires a lot of preparation. While moving the pianos you must ensure that the keyboard lid is locked. This will ensure that the keyboard is protected during the move. It is necessary because the piano keys are fragile. If there is no lock on the piano, keep the lead closed while wrapping up the instrument. While lifting the piano keep in mind not to lift it by the legs. They are extremely vulnerable. Keep the machine in an upright position.
Keep in mind that every time a piano is moved it is necessary to tune the instrument. Although a piano is a solid object the inner working is sensitive to bumps and movements. If DIY piano moving is not for you, you can get professional help from Dave’s Piano Moving in the Tampa area. It is a licensed and insured company so you can rest assured that the piano move is in safe hands.
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