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Published on Jan 21, 2024
•5 min read
By Mike Stackable,Founder
In 2019, 3.14 million Americans moved homes where they had to pack up belongings, move heavy items, and start their new lives.
Trying to shift heavy items is difficult if you have a piano or large TV to squeeze through the door. Many of us need help moving heavy items but aren’t sure where to start.
Sound familiar? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know.
It’s easier to move large items if you remove all the attached parts. For instance, don’t move a desk with all the contents rattling around.
Empty the drawers and remove the shelves to make it easier for yourself. If they can’t be removed, tape the drawers shut so they don’t open when you carry them.
You should also disconnect furniture legs, handles, and knobs so you don’t end up with scratched floors or smudged walls.
You’ve got to be creative when shifting awkward objects to prevent any injuries. Instead of trying to lift specialty items, you should use the following tools.
These work like a pulley system where you place the straps across your chest and shoulders with a partner opposite of you.
Lay the straps in front of the heavy item and tip it back so the straps come under the object. There should be a strap on either side of the item’s outer edge.
Work with your partner so when it’s time to lower the item, bend your knees and keep your back straight. Always bend at your knees and not your waist to prevent any injuries.
This is a tool perfect for moving heavy stuff. It’s flat and has four wheels, fantastic for stacking heavy boxes or large items. But it’s crucial to keep it strapped in so nothing falls off.
You can also use mattress slings to shift your mattresses. You don’t even need specialized equipment—just a rope and PVC pipe. Run the rope around the mattress and slide PVC over the ends. Then, tie the rope ends together and grip the PVC pipe like a handle.
Otherwise known as “furniture sliders”, these are crucial if you need help moving. These round plastic disks fit under the corners of heavy furniture. Use smooth plastic on the carpet and felt sliders on hard floors, and your furniture will slide across the floor when you push it.
Not only can you wrap these around your furniture, but moving blankets can be used as an alternative to slides. Instead of slipping them under the corner of your table or chair, tilt your furniture and slip the blanket underneath the two corners, and drag it.
If you don’t have any of these tools, don’t worry. Work with a moving company as they have the equipment and expertise to ensure your special items move homes safely.
Once you’ve hired movers to come in, remove the molding on your doorways to create extra space. It’s easy to bump into it when shifting heavy items so additional space will prevent any avoidable damage.
To make your life easier, take off the legs from chairs and tables so you get an extra inch to fit through narrow doorways. You should also take bed frames apart so it’s easier to move.
When you’re doing this, refer to an owner’s manual so you can dismantle it properly. You should use seal-able plastic bags to hold screws and other hardware for your furniture, keeping it safe so you don’t lose anything.
If a piece of furniture has many sections, use masking tape to note where each piece goes so it’s easy to reassemble later on.
Turn chairs on their side to make an “L” and move it back-first through your doorway. You can then hook it around the door frame so it slips through.
Before moving items, it’s important to protect your furniture by wrapping them up.
First, wrap your things in blankets, then secure them in place using plastic. Doing this prevents unnecessary damage to the furniture edges. It will stop them from banging into your doorways too.
Further, if you’re removing a large TV it’s important to keep it safe. If you can, slip it back into its original box or wrap your TV in secure padding with tape. Either way, make sure you mark the screen-side so movers can place it in the truck accordingly.
Piano owners should take extra precautions as pianos have delicate inner parts that must be protected. Make sure you wrap the piano in padding and strap down the parts that open like the top lid.
Luckily, movers have heavy-duty straps and a dolly to roll the piano out. They’ll also secure the piano properly so it doesn’t move around in the trailer.
It’s important to get equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like heavy-duty work gloves to protect your hands while shifting heavy items. Steel-toed boots can also keep your feet safe in case of accidentally dropping an item.
If you need help moving heavy items, make sure you have the right padding to protect your furniture and decide how you’ll make the move. You should take off moldings in the doorway, dismantle your furniture, and invest in moving tools to make it easier.
To streamline the process, hire a moving company as they have the right equipment and expertise to move everything from dining tables to grand pianos, and ensure your belongings stay safe.
Need help moving? If so, we’d love to chat. Get a free quote here to get things started.