Tips on How to Move a Piano the Right Way

Posted by wise move on March 19th, 2021

Moving a piano is one of the most demanding tasks you can ever encounter. Pianos are heavy, awkwardly shaped, and fragile furniture that many people are having a rough time moving.  It needs to be moved carefully to avoid any damages not only to the piano itself but also to the people moving it. If you are planning to move your piano, you have an option to hire professional piano movers or you can do it yourself but be ready for the challenges you may face.

To help you prepare, here are some useful tips you can follow if you are determined to move your piano by yourself.

Acquire Measurements and Clear Paths 

Preparation is really important for any kind of move, especially piano moving. There are several things you need to prepare. Since pianos are not only heavy but also fragile and awkwardly designed, you need to acquire the proper dimensions of the piano and the path you’ll move it along. You also need to measure the hallways, staircases and doorways to assess how you can move your piano easily. 

Moreover, clearing and removing all decorations and possible obstructions is crucial. This will avoid you being stuck on the staircases or hallways and most importantly, you can avoid possible damages on the piano or injuries to the people moving the piano.

Obtain the Right Equipment 

Once you have acquired all the important measurements, obtaining the equipment is next. Prioritising the safety of the piano and the piano movers are crucial so be sure to get the right equipment. Possible damages on the piano such as dented railings or scratched furniture and possible injuries like smashed toes and fingers or even pulled muscles should be avoided as much as possible. You may consider these types of equipment to make sure you won’t be having troubles during the moving day.

  • Ramp
  • Moving straps
  • Work gloves
  • Heavy-duty tape
  • Moving blanket/pads
  • Four-wheel dolly
  • Dolly straps
  • Weightlifting straps

These items are easily available at hardware stores or you can borrow it from family and friends if they have. You may also rent these types of equipment from moving companies. 

Ask for Help

It’s obvious that moving a piano cannot be done with only one person. It usually requires a minimum of 4 people - may be more but it really varies based on the size and complexity of the move. There should be enough people to do the heavy lifting, usually 2-3 people and someone who can guide them to and from the moving truck. You may ask your family or friends who are physically fit and have experienced moving heavy and large furniture. Don’t forget to have the proper moving clothing for a comfortable and safe move. 

Protection for the Piano

Protecting the piano is really essential to avoid any unnecessary damage to the piano. There are 2 types of piano: grand and upright piano. For a grand piano, the parts can be disassembled like its legs and a pedal while for an upright piano remains intact.

Be sure to secure and protect the keys for both types of piano. You need to put the lid down over the keyboard and lock it into place but if it doesn’t have a lock, you can just wrap the lid in a way that it should be closed shut. Avoid using tapes directly in contact with the piano since it can cause damage to it.

Once done, the next thing to do is to secure the whole piano body, especially the corners. For a grand piano, don't forget to disassemble its legs and pedals and separately wrap it with moving blankets or paddings. Be sure to prevent the piano from hitting the ground once the legs are removed. For an upright piano, disassembling is not needed so you can just use any blankets and paddings that are thick enough to keep your piano from any dents, bumps or scratches during the move. Remember, to wrap the piano moving blankets and secure it with heavy-duty tapes.

Move the Piano

When your piano is already secured and safe, the piano can be carefully moved onto the dolly. It’s not good to set the piano on its side considering its inner mechanics. So it’s better to keep the piano in an upright position. Position the piano in the centre of the dolly and secure it with ropes or dolly straps. Once it is all set, move the dolly slowly along the cleared path that you’ve prepared. If you’re moving it down in a staircase, remember to prepare a ramp leading downwards for an easy manoeuvre. Once you’ve reached the truck, push the piano up using a ramp and secure it up against the back wall using moving straps. 

DIY piano moves require a great deal of effort which causes stress overtime. Aside from worrying about the safety of your piano, you also have to worry about the safety of the people helping you out.

If you are not too sure about DIY piano move due to its complication, you can seek help from professional and trusted piano movers in Singapore. And to do so, Wise Move is the best platform to use. Submit one listing and Wise Move will tap its network of trusted Singapore movers to give you competitive quotes, may it be for your piano or home moving needs.

For more information about Piano Movers and Furniture Movers Singapore visit here: https://www.wisemove.sg/

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wise move
Joined: March 19th, 2021
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