Moving a piano can be difficult, but it is not impossible. If you have ever thought about moving your own piano before, then this article will provide some helpful tips and tricks to make the process easier. First of all, when lifting a piano up from one place to another place, make sure that the lift points are spread out evenly across the width of the instrument so that there is no over-compression in any given part of it. If you’re using a large truck for transportation or storage purposes—make sure to secure your instrument properly inside with ropes or other tying devices so that it doesn’t move around too much while driving down bumpy roads!
Lift Piano
Before lifting the piano, take care to set up a stable work surface and secure it whenever you have to move your piano either onto the truck or to another location within the house, don’t try to lift it by its legs. One of the main concerns is protecting the legs. Keep in mind that it will be more challenging to move the instrument if you bend it or lay it flat. Laying the piano on its side is not good for the inner mechanics. Move an old furniture piece by finding someone to help you and then using a piano strap.
One person should hold one end of the strap near their hip while another person should hold the other end of the same strap at chest or waist height. No matter how many people you have helping, there are some things to keep in mind. One is that heavy items should be moved first and placed as far away from the stairs as possible. Another is to clear your stairway with a moving company just in case lift the piano onto the furniture dolly.
Now, secure the piano by making sure that its legs are sitting flat on your hand truck.
If you have a piano with casters, make sure to either lock the casters or secure the piano in other ways. You can also make use of an online guide to moving a piano which can help you carefully curate a moving plan.
Secure in Truck
The piano should be placed in the very back of the truck, well against the wall separating the cab from cargo.
The ropes on either side can then wrap around it as securely as possible to avoid injury and damage during transport, making sure not to block any air vents or doors. Unpacking a piano will be the first and last thing you do when moving it to its new home.
One consideration for any piano mover is ensuring a level of flooring. This can be difficult when transporting the instrument in a truck, especially an older, uneven one.
To account for this phenomenon, many movers suggest that an individual lay three or four planks at various lengths to form a level surface over which the piano will rest. This helps ease the strain placed on the casters and legs of the piano, which will struggle to stay stable during a move. To avoid the back of your piano from touching anything, lay planks against the wall. Use a mallet to make sure they’re flush with each other and are level and even.
Carefully lift the piano from its dolly and set it on a pair of boards such as plywood or thick cardboard, at least 6 inches off the ground.
Taking care of the safety and well-being of yourself, your furniture moving company’s workers, and vehicles on the road is important. The best way to accomplish that goal is by using piano straps for secure anchor points.
Be sure to keep the piano from rolling or tipping. Lift tightly with a cloth on top and use a hoist sling for added safety.
Take Measurements
One of the first things to do before you attempt moving a piano alone is measure the dimensions as well as the path it will take. Be sure to measure doorways, stairwells, and hallways before moving day so that all available hands can easily carry the piano. One of the pitfalls of living in a walk-up building is that sometimes you are going to have to carry your piano up or down some flights, which can be an extreme challenge.
The logistics for moving a piano will differ based on the size of the piano. For example, an upright piano has different dimensions and needs than a grand piano. Furthermore, you should always measure your piano before moving it to ensure the perfect fit.
Conclusion
Moving a piano is no easy task. When you’re trying to get it from one place to another, the last thing that’s going through your head is how much damage could be done if there was an accident or, worse yet, what would happen if someone dropped it on their foot! It seems like moving a piano, in general, should come with some sort of warning label for safety precautions. But we have good news-we’ve put together all our best tips and tricks so that when you’re ready to move your piano yourself, you’ll know exactly what not to do (besides dropping it!). Read on for more information about these helpful hints and see how easy this process can become!