Tips on How to Safely Move a Piano

Pianos are great pieces to have whether for musical or aesthetic purposes. A beautiful piano will instantly add charm and class to any home.

If you’re planning to change addresses, it’s a must for you to bring your precious piano with you. The only problem is that this can be a pricy and challenging task. If not done properly, the piano can get damaged, you can get injured, and the surrounding areas can be in big trouble too. That’s why it’s highly important to know the right techniques on how to safely move a piano.

Below are a few tips that you should bear in mind when moving these beautiful instruments:

• Get assistance – No matter how hard you try, you can’t do it all by your lonesome. Make sure that there are enough able-bodied people to help you out. Pianos are delicate yet HEAVY things. You’ll need people who know what they’re doing. Ideally, there’s one person for each corner and one more guiding the others (five or six people at least).
• Be well-equipped – Use a furniture dolly (or two) in order to move the piano together with heavy-duty straps that will secure it. If you’re going to hire professional assistance, you can ask if any equipment needs to be rented or purchased, OR if they are already provided.
• Wrap the piano with blankets or padding – Wrap the piano carefully and make sure all corners are secured. Make sure the wrap is thick enough to protect the surface from any unwanted bumps during loading and transport.
• Protect the keys – Make sure that the keyboard lid is closed and locked. Be careful not to tape it though because this will damage the wood.
• Proper lifting – Piano legs are usually weak and vulnerable so always lift it by the body. Keep the piano upright at all times and make sure that it is always properly secured. Take your time in lifting it and don’t rush. Haste can cause unwanted accidents.
• Clear a path – This should be done both for loading and unloading. Plan out where you will pass and make sure that the path is well-spaced and uncluttered.
• Secure it in the truck – Pianos are most secure when placed at the back of the truck, right beside the back wall. You can also use level wooden planks that will serve as flooring. This will allow the piano to distribute its weight evenly and avoid uneven pressure on the legs.

As a last note, if you’re going to move the piano down a flight of stairs or if you need to lift it completely off the ground, you really should hire professional movers to do the job.