Piano moving is a specialized talent that is usually the safest and most secure way to move your Favourite instrument without risking yourself or anyone around you. This guide provides clear instructions on how to move a piano safely.
The piano is the most important instrument in the world of music. Despite its timeless appeal, the piano has a reputation for being delicate. It is no secret that moving a piano is a difficult task. Trying to move a piano is like trying to guide an elephant through a Chinese store.
You could end up with a keyboard catastrophe if you make one mistake. It’s also not musical when an upright piano falls over or, worse, is broken. Although they may not appear so, acoustic pianos are delicate items to move, and even with the help of a professional mover, it is not unusual for a move to completely throw the piano out of tune and possibly cause damage to the piano’s exterior or interior. The last thing you want is for an acoustic piano to fall over or land on someone’s foot, especially since the majority of them weigh well over 200 kg.
Important Things To Know Before Moving A Piano
There are certain important considerations to make when moving a piano. We are not talking about your typical furniture here; pianos are heavy, fragile, and frequently quite precious pieces that need careful handling. What you should know is as follows:
Evaluation Of The Piano’s Weight, Size, And Type
The first thing to do while moving a piano is to know what you are dealing with. Digital pianos, spinet pianos, upright pianos, baby grand pianos, and grand pianos are just a few of the many sizes and weights of pianos.
Consider Whether To Hire Experts
It can be difficult and dangerous to move a piano, so it is important to keep that in mind. Especially when working with larger and heavier pianos, it is generally best to leave this chore to the experts. They have the knowledge, tools, and experience needed to move your valuable instrument safely.
Take A Pathway Measurement
It is important to estimate the measurements of doorways, hallways, and staircases that the piano must pass through before entering. Can you imagine carrying your priceless piano through the entrance only to discover at the last second that it won’t fit? By taking measurements in advance, you can ensure that the piano fits without harming the instrument or your belongings.
Review The Manufacturer’s Instruction
For detailed moving instructions, remember to consult the piano’s manufacturer’s instructions. When it comes to moving their pianos, certain manufacturers might offer important advice or warnings.
Get The Equipment And Tools You Will Need
If you choose to hire a professional moving firm to move your piano, you will need to gather some of the more usual tools needed for the job. Most piano removalists would use these.
Piano Dolly/Trolley
This particular kind of dolly is designed to support the weight and dimensions of the piano. It will make it easier for you to move the upright piano on level surfaces.
Piano Skid Board
It is quite useful for carrying pianos up or down stairs and sliding them on hardwood floors with little friction; you may have heard of it as a piano sled. A piano can be positioned much more easily with this handy tool.
Heavy-Duty Furniture Blankets And Piano Covers
Thick moving blankets and protective piano covers are necessary to prevent damage to the piano’s fragile surfaces while it is being moved.
Moving Truck/Trailer
The size of the piano will affect whether you need a trailer or a moving truck that will hold it.
Disassemble The Piano
Grand pianos frequently need to be disassembled before being moved, although most upright pianos don’t. What to look for is:
Upright Pianos
The keyboard, soundboard, and frame of an upright piano are often fixed in place, and the piano itself is typically smaller. Despite their size and weight, upright pianos are typically transported unharmed.
Grand Pianos
When compared to upright pianos, grand pianos are rather large and complex. Therefore, to move them securely, disassembly is often needed.
Preparing Your Piano
There are several things to make sure your piano is safe and sound during the move. The following are important actions to prepare your piano for its journey:
Take Out Any Moveable Parts
Remove any removable parts from your piano if you have not already to get it ready for a move. This could involve the lyre, pedals, or piano bench. this lowers the possibility of them getting damaged in transport by taking these parts out.
Securely Close The Keyboard Lid
Before moving your piano, make sure to close the keyboard cover if it has one. If a piano lock is included, you can fasten it to stop the keyboard lid from opening. It’s important to keep the piano lid closed during travel since it shields the keys from dust and harm.
Wrap The Piano
The piano should be wrapped once all moveable pieces have been taken out and the keys have been fastened. Cover the entire piano with comfort or furniture blankets. By doing this, the instrument will be shielded from dents, scratches, and other types of harm while being moved.
Attaching The Piano To A Skid Board Or Dolly
The next step is to fasten your piano to a dolly or skid board after it is prepared and packaged for the move. The piano will be easy and safe to travel with this useful equipment. Here is how to do it:
Using A Dolly, Skid Board, Or Piano Tilter, Lift The Piano
Once your moving crew arrives, have most of them carefully and gently raise the piano. It would be easier to move the piano onto to tilter if you had to pass through several small or tight spaces. In this way, the piano can be tilted enough to pass through those spaces.
Secure The Piano
Secure the piano with strong straps after placing it on the dolly or skid board. Tighten the straps around the piano’s body until it is securely attached to the skid board or dolly.
Moving The Piano
It is time to transfer the piano from the trolley or dolly to the moving truck or trailer equipped with ladders. It takes power, coordination, and careful planning to move a piano. The steps you should take are as follows:
Manoeuvring The Piano
You can start guiding the piano out of the building and onto the moving truck or trailer once it is safely held on the dolly or skid board.
Climbing Or Descending Steep Stairs
Make sure you have enough helpers to balance the piano and support its weight while you move up or down stairs. If you need to drop the piano, you run the risk of damaging it if you don’t have enough helpers to carry its weight.
Getting The Piano Loaded onto The Moving Van
One of the most important parts of moving is loading a piano into a moving vehicle. To protect the piano from harm while in transport, this must be done carefully and precisely. Here is how:
Position The Piano
While the piano is still on the skid board or dolly, slowly slide it up the moving vehicle’s ramp with the help of your team. In this case, a moving truck that has a hydraulic lift can be really useful.
Lock Up The Piano
After the piano is in position, engage the dolly’s brakes and fasten it securely with sturdy straps. The piano should be securely fastened to the truck wall by tightening the straps.
Balance The Load
Ensure that the piano is upright, balanced, and in the center of the car. During transportation, an unbalanced load may shift, which could harm the piano or the vehicle.
Piano’s Unloading And Setup
So, when you have carried the piano to its new location, you will need to unload and arrange it accordingly. This step is equally important as the actual moving process. Here is how to complete it:
Unload The Piano Carefully
With your group’s help, carefully remove off the piano’s straps. Before you move the piano, make sure everyone is in position, ready, and on the same page.
Move The Piano Into The Building
To maintain the piano balance, bring it to the building’s entrance once more with the help of your team while it is still on the dolly or piano board underneath. If you need to transport a piano upwards or upstairs, use extreme care.
Move The Piano To Its New Spot
Move the piano to its given place in your new house after removing it from the dolly or skid board. The piano’s tuning and general condition may be affected by windows, heaters, or air vents, so make sure the new location is distant from these.
The Last Word
Moving a piano is a huge task, therefore it’s not something to be taken lightly! To protect this valued instrument, you must carefully prepare, plan, and carry out the steps. Every step count and must be done carefully, from disassembling and securing it for the trip to driving cautiously, unloading, and relocating it. If you have the proper equipment and follow this detailed piano guide, you can move a piano yourself. But keep in mind that larger grand pianos carry more risk, so if you feel uneasy or uncomfortable at any point, do not be afraid to contact professionals. To ensure that your very precious upright piano or grand piano reaches its new location securely, professional piano movers possess the necessary equipment, experience, and knowledge to manage this complex activity. At Juvi’s Delivery Service, our team of experts can help you securely deliver your valuable item to its destination.
FAQs:
- Do I need to hire professional movers to relocate my piano?
It is wiser to hire a professional piano mover rather than transport it yourself. They know how to move your piano securely and have the necessary tools.
- What is the best way to lock the piano in the truck?
To slide the piano onto the truck, fasten it with moving straps and skid boards.
- Do my hallways and doorways need to be measured?
Yes, you should measure the stairwells, hallways, and entrances where the piano will be moved. Any swinging doors that can harm the piano should also be taken out.
If you ever find yourself having trouble moving expensive or big items, Juvi’s Delivery Services LLC is the moving business to call.
