Pianos are very heavy, so moving a piano can be a difficult task without the help of professional movers. The bulky size of a piano makes it awkward to move, not to mention the average piano is precious and weighs hundreds of pounds. If you are in the middle of a move or thinking about moving a piano upstairs, it is crucial to know how to move a piano as safely as possible.
As a moving company in Colorado Springs, Little Red Wagon Moving knows how to move a piano safely. Our professional movers are experts at moving heavy objects with care. However, if you cannot move a piano with the help of professional movers, you must know how to do it properly.
So, you might be wondering, “How do I move a piano safely?” Here are tips to keep in mind as you prepare to move your piano.
Tips to Consider Before Moving a Piano
When moving a piano, you first need to prepare. Heavy objects are challenging to move, and a piano can roughly weigh anywhere from 400 to 1,000 pounds depending on the type of piano. Simply moving a piano across the room takes a lot of planning and preparation. For more information on how to safely move a piano, keep reading, but first, let’s go over how to prepare for the move.
1. Get Help
Moving a piano by yourself is very dangerous. Remember that pianos weigh hundreds of pounds, so moving a heavy object, such as a piano, puts you at risk of getting injured and damaging your instrument or home. In the best-case scenario, you should hire professional movers that have the expertise to move a piano safely.
If you are short on time or cash and cannot hire professionals, asking a few friends to help you move a piano is your best bet. Plan on asking 3 to 6 friends to help you with the move. Depending on how large and heavy the piano is, you may need to find a few extra hands to help out.
2. Plan Ahead
Once you have secured a few strong friends to help you move your piano, the next step is to plan for the move. It is necessary to prepare your space and plan for the relocation. The last thing you want to do is move the piano again or stop the move completely because the piano doesn’t fit through a door. Here are some ways to plan to make sure you prepare properly:
- Map the route that you will use to move the piano from start to finish.
- Clean and clear the path of the piano.
- Measure the piano and the door frames, staircases, and hallways to ensure the piano can fit.
- Remove any doors from the door jambs for extra room.
- Protect your floors and walls with floor mats, towels, and blankets.
3. Get Supplies
Safely moving a piano means you need the right equipment. Any large and heavy object will require supplies to keep you, your piano, and your home safe. You will want to invest in the proper equipment to ensure the move goes smoothly, such as straps to hold the piano, a piano dolly or furniture dolly, and moving blankets to protect the musical instrument from damage.
Other supplies you will need to move a piano include:
- Packing tape or duct tape
- Work gloves
- Closed-toe shoes
- Back support belt for lifting the piano
- Bungee cords to secure the piano
- Plastic wrap
- Stair ramp for moving a piano upstairs
Time to Move the Piano
Now that you have prepared your piano and your home with the right equipment for the move, you are ready to move a piano safely. Depending on the type of piano you have, you will want to make sure you can best protect the piano during the move.
Moving a Grand Piano
Grand pianos need to be wrapped and secured before you move them. These pianos are usually heavier than an upright piano, so they will need to be disassembled to move the instrument. Moving a grand piano takes a lot of work, so you want to protect the piano during the move. Here are some tips for moving the piano as safely as possible:
- Fasten the piano lid with a lock or tape (be careful not to damage the wood with packing tape or duct tape).
- Wrap the piano in moving blankets and plastic wrap to protect the body from damage.
- Disassemble the piano legs and pedals.
When your grand piano is safely wrapped and disassembled, you and several others can lift the piano onto a piano dolly and secure it with straps. Once you’ve moved the piano, you will need to reassemble the legs and pedals of the piano.
Moving an Upright Piano
Upright pianos are easier to move because they usually do not weigh as much as a grand piano and do not require disassembly.
To move an upright piano, you will need to cover the piano keys and piano pedals to protect these delicate parts from damage. You will also want to cover the piano with moving blankets and tape them securely in place. You can use a piano dolly to move the piano to a moving truck or another area of your home.
After Moving a Piano
The hard work is over after moving your piano. The only things left to do are clean your piano to remove any leftover adhesive residue from tape and retune your piano to ensure the strings are working properly. The inside of pianos are very sensitive to movement, so a professional tuner will make sure your piano is ready to play after your move.
Learn How to Properly Move Your Piano With Little Red Wagon Moving
Moving a piano is not an easy task because they are extremely heavy and large. Plus, you want to move a piano as safely as possible. By calling on the help of friends to help you plan for the move, wrap the piano, and move it to its next location carefully, you will be best prepared to move a piano safely.
At Little Red Wagon Moving, our team of professional piano movers has experience moving heavy objects with care. As a moving company in Colorado Springs, we aim to provide a stress-free moving experience. If you require the assistance of professional movers to move your grand piano or upright piano, Little Red Wagon Moving can help; contact us today to learn about our piano moving services!
