self moving a piano upstairs
by Madeline
(New Zealand, Oamaru.)
We brought an upright Carlson and sons piano off trademe. How can I get it up 14 six inch stairs?(New Zealand, Oamaru.)
o there are 2 methods to consider:
1) manually lifting the piano upstairs.
or
2) Pulling it up: This involves covering the piano with blankets to protect it's finish from the heavy duty (2 ton) ratchet strap you will use to secure the piano to a sacrificial board. The board should be a small as possible to take the piano and the piano needs to be balanced on the board; It's point of gravity is partly determined by the location of the iron harp inside. The job of the board is to allow you to slide the piano up and take the bumps.
Look underneath: Pianos may be flat bottomed or have a 'keel', or an irregular front lower panel by the pedals which can make them unstable if you decide to remove the castors.
Setting the piano up for the haul takes far longer
REPLY
Moving pianos upstairs is all 'ifs' and 'maybe's. There is no simple advice which covers every job; each move has its own problems, and I often turn down work as simply unfeasible.
You cannot even assume the stairs are strong enough.
Not knowing you, I have no idea whether this is within your power or an excercise likely to end in serious disaster... which is why it is only responsible to suggest you employ an experienced professional.
Your question does not reveal if there are turns on the stairs, if there is plenty of working room (for example to put a man on each corner), the size or weight of the piano, and the gradient of the stairs.
To begin, you can go here for piano moving tips.
I strongly recommend that you read all the articles, you will be well prepared.
When I am handling pianos, I have the advantage of a van full of bits and pieces: Boards, ratchet straps, straps, blankets, heavy plastic sheet and wooden blocks. Thats aside from the expected items: Piano wheels and piano shoes and skids...and most important, sufficient muscle power to move the piece safely and well within the capacity of the operators. You need to ensure that rather than becoming a trial of strength (or survival), you can retain the ability to care for the piano and building...So have 4 men available.
Setting the piano up for the haul takes far longer than the move itself, so take your time. Use blankets on the steps, and strong ropes to pull from the top. Usually it is only possible for one man to push effectively from the bottom.
Lift the piano up the first few steps until it is laying on them facing the right direction so you are pulling the piano over and not into the next the step. The skid which I made myself has a turned up end like a toboggan to help miss the next step.
Forward planning and communication are vital but so is the one thing you don't have: The experience to see, and plan for problems obstacles before you get to them.
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