Friday, October 28, 2011

How to Move a Piano

Moving a piano can be a difficult task that requires planning and effort. Pianos are extremely heavy and their finishes are very vulnerable to scratches, nicks and dents. Even a small piano may weigh more than 350 pounds (0.1588 metric tons). Grand pianos may easily weigh over 1,000 pounds (0.4536 metric tons), and older pianos tend to be top heavy, making them unstable and more difficult to move. Be sure you take every precaution to move your piano safely.

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Steps

Plan Ahead

1
Know the weight and measure the dimensions of your piano.
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2
Map out the path you will take in getting the piano out of the house.
3
Measure all doors to ensure the piano will fit through each one.
4
Schedule plenty of manpower when planning to move a piano.
5
Make sure your truck or trailer is ready for the move. If you don't own a truck, borrow or rent one for the move.

Prepare for the Move

1
Close and lock the lid of your piano.
2
Wrap your piano in thick furniture blankets to protect the finish from scratches.
3
Overlap the blankets so the piano finish is not exposed.
4
Tightly wrap packaging tape around the blankets to keep them in place.
5
Clear a path to the door. Be certain there are no obstacles in the way of your planned route.

Move the Piano

1
Use a large cart dolly with rubber wheels or a heavyweight flatbed with big casters on the bottom. Balancing your piano properly on a dolly can make it easier to move the piano.
2
Get help to move the piano. Everyone should have a pair of work gloves and load-bearing harnesses to make the job less strenuous. All the movers must lift the piano at once to distribute the weight evenly.
3
Move a piano a few inches at a time. If you have to move the piano down stairs, only go up or down a couple of stairs at a time to lessen the stress on your legs.
4
Load the piano into the truck.
- Use a loading ramp to make this easier. You can push the dolly holding your piano up or down the loading ramp. Have at least 2 people on each side of the ramp to guide the piano safely into the vehicle.
5
Strap the piano to the truck to avoid movement. If the piano shifts around the truck, it may cause damage to the piano.
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EditTips

A piano should be moved on its end, not its side.
When lifting a piano, be sure you lift with your legs rather than putting the weight on your back muscles.
Always overestimate the manpower needed. Someone can open and close doorways and guide the piano en route to the truck.

Warnings

Do not push a piano around on its casters. This can damage your piano.
Never try to catch a falling piano. If the piano becomes unbalanced and falls, get out of the way. Injury or even death can occur if the piano falls on top of you.