Three Piano Moving Mistakes To Avoid
Moving a piano requires a finesse. This is a finely tuned instrument that also happens to be large, heavy, and cumbersome in shape. For these reasons, you don't want to mess up and damage the expensive piano. The following are some mistakes you need to know so that you can avoid them.
#1: Using the casters
Most pianos have built in casters to make the instrument easier to move. The important thing to remember is that the casters are only meant for moving short distances on a smooth surface, such as to push a piano across a room. They are not designed to act as dollies when moving the piano to a new home. Attempting to do so can damage a caster, which can in turn damage or even break the leg of your piano. Heavy duty furniture or piano dollies are the only acceptable way to move a piano long distances or over a rough surface, so don't attempt to substitute the casters for this piece of equipment.
#2: Skipping protection
You may have plenty of muscle and the right dolly, but you still shouldn't attempt a move just yet. The finely tuned board inside the piano can be easily damaged from the normal jostling and movement that is part of the territory when you are moving. You can pad the board to protect it, but this is a job best left to a professional tuner to ensure you don't cause any damage. The outside of the piano will also require padding with a piano cover or moving blanket to ensure that it isn't damaged.
#3: Waiting until the end
It's a good idea to know exactly where you plan to place the piano in your new home. Then, move the piano first, before anything else is taken over. This way the piano is moved before the chaos of the rest of the relocation begins. Once the piano is in your new home, keep the cover in place and make sure no one uses it as a table to support boxes as they are brought in during the main part of the move. Another benefit of moving the piano first is that it gives the instrument a couple of days to acclimate to the moisture and temperature in your new house. This way, you can have it tuned as soon as the move is over since the instrument as already acclimated.
To be sure your piano is moved safely, consider hiring professional piano movers. They have the experience and expertise to do the job right. For more information, contact a service like Correira Brothers' Moving and Storage.