How To Move A Piano?

Dec 01, 2022 Did you know that pianos have over 12,000 parts, out of which 10,000 are moving parts? These intricate instruments also weigh between 300 and 1,200 pounds and thus are quite heavy to lift and move. To ensure that all 88 keys and 12,000 parts are intact when moving your piano, you should hire removalists Melbourne to help you out. These pianos are also valuable and expensive items that can cost upwards of $100,000, and thus they must be moved with caution. But if you are planning on moving your piano without professional help, you should enlist your friends’ help and use proper techniques to prevent injuries. According to reports, injuries resulted in 575,000 hospitalisation cases in Australia in 2021 and are one of the leading causes of death for people between 1-44 years. Thus, to avoid getting severely injured while moving your piano, you can use the below expert tips to help you out.

Prepare For Your Move

Hire Specialty Movers

If you are moving your piano for the first time, you should hire professional removalists in Melbourne. These experts are well-versed in handling and lifting these pianos without damaging them and already have all their moving tools and equipment. It is a good idea to book them in advance and let them give you an estimate of the costs for moving your piano.

Take All Measurements

Start by measuring your piano, the doorways, staircases and the routes of your old and new home. You can then map out a floor plan for the route you will take when moving your piano and see what rooms you will be passing through. This will also help you determine what size moving truck you should rent.

Clear Your Path Of Obstacles

Once you have mapped out your route, you should ensure they are clear of all obstacles. Make sure all the doors of your route are open, and remove any door jambs to get some extra space. You should also remove any clutter on the floor and keep your pathways clear of dirt and grime to avoid slipping and falling on these items. Also, place protective blankets over your floor so it does not get damaged when moving your piano. Once you are done preparing, you should gather your moving supplies and protective equipment and then use proper techniques to move your piano.

Moving Tools And Equipment

Here is a list of equipment you should gather to be able to move your piano properly:

• Moving blankets- You should wrap your piano with moving blankets to protect all the keys and parts.
• Dolly or hand trucks- To wheel the piano onto your moving truck.
• Tie down and lift straps- To secure your piano to the dolly and the truck so it does not fall and get damaged.
• Packing Tape- To secure the piano’s edges so it does not get scratched or damaged.
• Working gloves- To protect your hands when you are moving your piano.

Using these tools, you can move both an upright and grand piano in the following steps.

Moving An Upright Piano

• First, you should put protective plastic wrap over your pedals and keys.
• Next, close the lid and secure it with a moving blanket or towels and sheets and use tie-down straps.
• Now, you must take your moving blankets and wrap the piano’s front, back, and sides so there is no part sticking out.
• Use straps to keep these moving blankets in place, and put tape on the edges.
• Ask your friends or professional removalists to lift one edge of the piano, and together you can load it onto the dolly.
• If you have to move the piano down or up a flight of stairs, the person at the bottom must hold the piano from the bottom.
• The person on the upper portion of the stairs should hold the piano from the top so that it is well-balanced and will not topple over.
• Now move the dolly through your mapped route and load it onto the moving truck carefully.
• Secure the piano to the truck with tie-down straps so that the piano does not move around and get damaged, and make sure the piano is at the back of the truck to keep the weight balanced.
• Lastly, when unloading the piano, you must ensure one place is standing in front to balance the weight.

Moving A Grand Piano

• You should start by lowering the lid and covering it with plastic wrap so it is securely shut.
• Next, use your manual to disassemble the piano legs and pedals.
• If you are using a piano removalist in Melbourne, these experts will be able to disassemble and reassemble your grand piano in no time.
• But make sure you find a reliable removalist in Melbourne who meets all consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law.
• Place these parts in separate plastic wrapping, write their names, and secure them to the bottom of the piano.
• Next, cover the keys, the sides and all portions of the piano with moving blankets to keep it well-protected.
• Next, lift and load it onto the dolly with help and make sure you use tie-down straps to keep it safe.
• Now roll this dolly towards your rental truck, load it onto the truck, and place it at the back to balance the weight.
• You should also use tie-down straps to keep the piano securely in place on the rental truck.
• When you unload the piano, check for all the parts and lift with your knees, not your back, to avoid injuries.

Conclusion

Thus, you should use the proper equipment and techniques mentioned above to ensure you move your piano correctly. It is important to secure all the keys and parts and use a moving blanket to protect the piano. If you need help disassembling your piano and loading it onto the truck, enlist the help of professional removalists in Melbourne.