A piano holds great sentimental value as it can be a prized possession, a treasured family heirloom, or even your favourite hobby. Naturally, when moving the instrument from one place to another, you would require professional help as it can be hectic and may cause severe damage to the instrument if not packed properly.
Can you move a piano by yourself?
As the instrument is hefty and quite valuable, moving it can be a complex task; hence, getting professionals to help you out is always a good idea. It also depends on the size of your piano since moving a heavy item like that without the proper care could seriously damage it. Therefore, assessing your exact requirement and type is essential before choosing the right piano removalist.
Types of pianos
Uprights: Carrying it can be tricky as they carry all their weight in the top half, leaving less weight in their feet and legs, making the lower half very fragile. Moving this type is relatively easy with professional help if you have at least four people balancing the piano’s weight. You can also opt for equipment like a dolly for heavy furniture and moving blankets. Packing an upright piano is more manageable than shifting it, so always rely on some professional help.
Baby grand: Professional help will be required because moving this type will need experienced people who can lift weighty objects and oversized items. Before moving a bulky item, such as a baby grand piano, ensure you move it with the help of the right equipment, a blanket, and a skid board.
Grand: Since this is a prominent musical instrument, you’ll require a piano board or a piano skid. It must be moved safely with the help of the right strapping and padding (like bubble wrap) as it has many fragile parts. It would be best if you opted for professional movers as an average grand piano can weigh approximately 700 – 1200 pounds/ 400 – 500 kgs in weight.
Before the move
Knowing the musical instrument is crucial before moving it, so it is advisable to know all the parts of a piano before removing it. Begin with enquiring about what kind of professional piano moving experts; ask them all questions on your mind, the duration of the move, and if they need any particular directions to move the piano for you. Lastly, ensure you ask them to carry all necessary equipment and packing materials to be safe.
Furniture blankets: These are thick and durable blankets specially made to be strapped around the furniture while moving. This will ensure that the blankets provide enough cushioning around the object to avoid breakage.
Heavy-duty furniture dolly: You require a doll that can carry the piano. A skid board is explicitly needed for baby grand and grands. Choose the dolly as per the piano’s size, weight, and structure.
Furniture straps: To secure any items, straps are essential to moving anything safely. Make sure to use the straps in a way that avoids friction. Also, it should be double or triple-strapped to ensure it stays in place during transit.
Packing the piano
Ensure that the top lid of your piano is securely shut and that the cap covers the keys. You can even place a blanket within the essential lid to protect the keys. Keys are fragile and need to be protected. If you want to move a grand or a baby grand, it is better to lay it on its side and remove the legs carefully. Remember to wrap the legs in moving blankets.
For an upright one, you don’t need to remove the wheels from this type but keep in mind to never lay them on their side or back. Since your beloved family heirloom is going to get transported, wrap the entire instrument properly and cover it in pads. Use an ample amount of packing tape to wrap around the blankets. Once you feel that it is secure, go ahead and wrap it in plastic.
Plan and measure!
Plan before your move, or if you want to help the movers, plan a route and grab a measuring tape! First, measure the size of your piano and all its parts, and measure your hallways & doors. Plan a path from which your piano will be moving out and remove everything from the way, like furniture or other items, to avoid your piano from getting chipped or scratched.
You should consider this when moving your piano, know your piano type, plan, understand the materials required, pack and keep your home/office ready for the move, and measure the doors and the instrument. That’s why you can help the movers and packers to move your piano quickly and safely.
We hope this blog was helpful to you and that now you know how to pack a piano. To read more such blogs, click here. Are you looking for a cheap removalist service in your location? Contact Get Lucky removalists today!