5 Mistakes To Avoid When Moving A Piano
Moving a large object can be a daunting task to any person. Especially if that large object is an expensive instrument. Did you know that pianos are the most commonly moved instrument in the world? However, with the weight and size to consider, it is considered a team effort at the very least. Preventing harm on yourself or a piano is a number one priority. In this blog, we will go over the five most common mistakes when moving a piano and how to avoid them.
Lack of Necessary Help
When moving a piano most people think they can do it themselves. However in any case, always use at least a two-man team. The least thing you want to do is end up breaking a hundred dollar piano on the mistake of how strong you are. Look in the daily paper ads for a moving company or do a simple google search. The easiest option is Cooper Piano’s own piano moving service, one of the best in Atlanta.
Using the Wrong Moving Equipment
Never assume your muscles are “equipment” when it comes to moving pianos. From moving to packing it up, you always want to make sure you are using the most common and effective tools. Common moving tools include straps, a dolly, and a piano cover. Check on heavy duty piano equipment sites such as moversupplies.com to buy the most reliable gear.
Having ineffective gear can not only hurt your piano but they can hurt you as well. Lower grade dollies can cause extensive to your piano and poorly placed straps can cause strain and fractures to the infrastructure of your instrument. If you feel you don’t have the necessary knowledge to move such a big object, it is highly suggested to seek the help of a professional moving company. That way you don’t need to go out and buy expensive tools to move it either.
Relying on the Casters Primarily
Never trust casters! Casters are the small wheels on the bottom of pianos and are highly decorative. These should never be used as a primary moving tool. Casters are never built to sustain heavy moving and slowly deteriorate every day making it dangerous to be constantly moving. If a piano ever has to be moved always be sure to remove the piano legs and place it on a dolly for relocation.
Underestimating the Piano Weight
Besides underestimating strength the next big underestimation is how heavy a piano truly is. You obviously can’t toss a piano on a bathroom scale, but they should come with a label provided by the manufacturer that either gives a definite or average weight. As an FYI, Upright pianos that are forty to sixty inches high can weigh anywhere from five hundred to eight hundred pounds and ones that are under fifty inches can weigh anywhere from three hundred to four hundred pounds. Grand pianos five feet tall weigh five hundred pounds, six feet tall weigh six hundred pounds, and nine feet tall weigh anywhere from a thousand to twelve hundred pounds.
When you call a professional mover they will always ask you about the weight so be sure to give them an accurate measurement. And remember, even if it looks light it will never be. Always be safe than sorry.
Rushing the Moving Process
Always take your time when moving a piano. You never want to set a half hour time table for moving such a heavy device. If you plan to move it yourself be sure to set at least a day prepping it for moving a day to move it yourself. Make sure you have plenty of people to help you and make sure you have the proper equipment.
If you plan to have professional movers relocate it, be sure to be home when they come to make sure they are being careful with your expensive instrument. They will take atleast an hour to two hours to move it and will provide the necessary tools. If you are ever concerned on how they are handling your device be sure to let them know, it is yours after all.
But more than anything, always plan ahead. Plans can fail and schedules can change. Always have a back up plan, remember, never move it yourself. That’s how things break and go south. Keep a calm mind and remember that once your piano is moved you never have to worry about it for a while.
Now you have five common mistakes moving a piano. Hundreds before you have learned the hard way of what to do and what to not do. I hope you make the right choice, either moving the piano in a group or hiring movers. And always having the right equipment.
Happy moving!