How Not to Move a Piano

Moving any item can be a struggle depending on the circumstances. Mattresses, for example, are notoriously difficult to move and can easily end up damaged – or damaging other items – even once it’s safely in the moving truck. When it comes to pieces of furniture that are perhaps the most difficult to move, however, the piano likely tops the list. These items are incredibly heavy, with even “small” pianos weighing in at around 500 pounds. If you’re moving and you have a piano to take along, it is incredibly important that you don’t underestimate just how much trouble particular item could cause.

At Family Moving and Storage, we’ve moved our fair share of pianos in Melbourne and Palm Bay. Let’s take a look at some things to avoid if you find yourself in the same situation.

Don’t Rely on Piano Casters

Many pianos have metal casters on the bottoms of their legs, however you shouldn’t rely on these items to actually move the piano for any real distance. They are more decorative and functional and can end up scratching hardwood floors quite easily. You might also end up with one breaking in the middle of a move, leaving you with an unexpected weight to contend with. This is especially true if the piano has been in one position for a long time, as that encourages the deterioration of those casters.

Don’t Forget the Dolly

Don’t move the piano without a dolly! As mentioned above, pianos are incredibly heavy. Dollies can help reduce that weight to almost nothing, saving your back from some extreme wear and tear. Use a dolly whenever possible to aid in the moving process. This is true for most heavy items. Just make sure to carefully mount the piano in place before moving the dolly, and make sure that you have people around to help keep if the piano starts to slip.

Don’t Move it Alone

This point cannot be overemphasized – do not attempt to move a piano on your own! It’s incredibly dangerous. You might think that you have it under control, but all it takes is one unexpected movement to send hundreds of pounds crashing into the floor. If you’re unlucky, that weight could land on you, instead, and deal some particularly nasty damage. Make sure that you have people around to help share the load and reduce the risk of serious injury to both your person as well as your other property.

Don’t DIY It

At Family Moving and Storage, we understand that not everyone has the money for professional movers. When it comes to certain items, however, the best advice really is to call the professionals. A piano is absolutely one of those items. If you live in Vero Beach and have a piano to move and you want both the piano to arrive safely to the new location, it’s time to call in professional help.

For more information about professional movers and how they can help, contact Family Moving and Storage today!