Among other items, a piano is one of the most valuable investments for a music lover. Although moving a piano may look simple, there are many things that can go wrong if you do not know the best ways to handle this instrument. Pianos usually vary in in terms of size and weight but, are generally very heavy equipment. Besides, pianos are also designed with several delicate components like, keyboards, pedals and sleek finishes that can be easily destroyed in the process of relocation.
Without the right equipment and skills for moving a piano, it is very easy to end up with broken parts, scratches and other forms of damage. This will not only cost you a lot to fix but, could also impact inconvenience owing to the time spent on repairs. In worst cases, the damage could even cause serious trouble forcing you to buy a new piano. But, why take the risk when you can simply hire a mover for its safe and efficient relocation?
Even as you hire a mover to help with the packing and transportation of your piano, it is important that you also know a few things about the procedure. This will not only make it convenient for you when relocating but, could also assist in cutting down the costs of hiring moving services. The following are key pointers on how to move a piano;
Preparations before moving a piano
There are various kinds of pianos that people use including, small upright pianos and grand pianos, each with unique components and parts. As a result of this, there are several things that you should consider before moving the instrument to ensure that you have the resources and manpower to handle the job. Some of the most important preparations that you should make before moving a piano include;
- Check the weight of the piano and all its components
- Know the size with regards to height and length
- Clear path through which the piano will be moved
When planning to move a piano, it is also very important that you have a four-wheel dolly, which will be used to steer the piano from the house into the transport van and, back. Whether you are moving a small, medium or larger upright piano, you will also need at least three or four people considering to lift it. You should also have wrappers, paddings and tape for securing the piano against dust, scratches and other impacts of damage.
Steps for moving a piano
With all the above preparations in place, you can now start the procedure of shifting the piano from your house or wherever it is to the designated location. In order to secure the delicate piano keys and other components, it is advisable to first close the lid as its done while not in use. The lid of the keyboard and piano should be properly fastened so that they do not open while on transit since that could easily cause damage.
The piano should also be carefully wrapped in the right wraps, which you can acquire from a mover in case you are using the services. However, the piano can also be covered in sheets or blankets. While doing this, it is advisable to also place paddings on the edges and other fragile parts to reduce the impact of damage whenever it comes into contact with a hard surface. Remember, pianos have finishes that can be easily damaged by even slight scratches. Therefore, you should also make sure that the edges of the wraps and paddings are secured with tape.
The next step should be loading the piano onto a four wheel dolly. The piano should be carefully lifted and not driven on its casters. This is because, pianos usually stay at the same place and position for quite a long time and, the casters can easily begin to rust. Whenever this happens, rolling the piano on them could easily break some components or even damage your floor. You should also avoid lifting the piano by its legs since they are usually weak and, not meant for moving the instruments during relocation.
As the piano is lifted onto the dolly, it is always advisable to keep it in upright position. Placing the piano on its side can easily cause damage and, should be avoided. Based on the weight, you should at least have two people hold each side of the piano while loading it onto the dolly. In case your house has staircases, the crew will need to manually carry the piano to the lower level of the building before loading it onto the dolly. The dolly has wheels so it can be easily pulled or pushed but, only on a leveled surface.
As you get to the truck, the piano has to be once again lifted from the dolly and packed for transportation. However, the piano can also simply be pushed onto a ramp while still on the dolly. Once inside the truck, the dolly must be removed and piano placed against the wall. Based on the conditions under which the piano will be transported, you may also need to place additional paddings between the piano and the wall of the truck.
While placing the piano inside a truck, you should still maintain it in upright position. For added safety, the side of the piano where the keyboard is positioned should face the wall of the truck. Remember, even smooth roads have bumps and, this could easily cause damage to your piano if it is just placed onto the truck without being strapped. Thus, it is also important that you safely strap the piano onto the wall of the truck using two or three belts.
As you can see from the above discussion, moving a piano requires skills and the right equipment, which could give you a very hard time. The easiest way to ensure that your piano is moved in greater safety and, at your convenience is through a professional mover. And, Mover Singapore is the ideal mover that you can always trust for reliable and affordable moving services.