Moving heavy, fragile and delicate items requires special preparation and consideration. Before you move, figure out which items will be a problem and make a plan for dealing with them. Wheaton World Wide Moving can help with that plan. Here are a few of the most troublesome household items to move and how you can move them successfully:
Pianos
Pianos are infamously difficult to move. The instruments are both heavy and full of delicate, fragile internal components and mechanisms. Jostling or bumping the piano too much can seriously damage it, often in irreparable ways. You should never try to move a piano by yourself, no matter how short a distance you have to move it. You could injure yourself, too!
Before you move a piano, you’ll have to fasten down parts that could slide around while it’s moving. Tie down the lid and top, especially if the top opens up. Lock the lid if you can. Next, you should cover up the corners, edges and anything else that protrudes. Wrap the entire piano in blankets or protective tarps. You’ll need to use a furniture dolly or at least heavy-duty straps to lift and move the piano. Make sure you fasten the piano to the dolly very carefully.
Plants
Obviously, plants aren’t as difficult to move as pianos… for you, at least. Unfortunately, however, moving tends to be very difficult on the plants themselves. Your plants will almost inevitably receive less sunlight, water and nutrients during your move. You may have to displace and replant them, and you’ll definitely need to jostle them as you transport them. Moving is traumatic on pretty much everything, and plants are especially vulnerable.
Unfortunately, there’s no real “secret” to moving plants: you just have to pay attention and be careful. Make sure you’re watering your plant regularly and around the same time you usually do, if possible. Never leave the plant anywhere that’s too hot (like your car) or too cold. Don’t leave the plant in the dark in storage for too long. Be very careful when moving the plant’s pot or box. You could also look up your plant to see if you should keep special considerations in mind during the move.
Large Appliances
Large appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers and water softeners aren’t just heavy; they’re also surprisingly delicate. Refrigerators have electronic components and lids that can slide open, making them hard to move. Dishwashers are surprisingly easy to damage and difficult to uninstall properly. Washers and dryers are very heavy and cumbersome. Even worse, each of these appliances could be irreparably damaged during a move.
First, look into tips on how to transport the specific large appliance you’re moving. You may have to take important safety or protection steps that are specific to that fixture! Next, make absolutely sure you’ve completely detached/uninstalled all of the appliance’s electrical components. If you still have the appliance’s owner’s manual, consult it to figure out how to uninstall the appliance properly. Before you move the appliance, fasten down everything that could swing or fall out during the move.
Glass
This one’s probably pretty obvious. Not only is glass one of the most fragile things you’ll have to move, it’s also very dangerous when broken. If you break glass during your move, you’ll have to stop everything to clean it up very carefully. Whether you’re moving window treatments, glass furniture or artwork, transporting glass requires careful consideration.
The trick to moving glass (insofar as there is a “trick”) is to cushion it as much as possible. Stuff pillows, insulation, blankets or other padding around your glass. Tie this padding to the glass directly and make it as tight as you can. After wrapping up your glass, store it in as small a box as possible to keep it from jostling around during the move. Always know which boxes contain glass and make sure they’re tied down securely.
Moving heavy, fragile items will always be difficult, but if you prepare correctly, it doesn’t need to be impossible. By anticipating moving difficulties early and preparing for them, you can turn a huge inconvenience into a total non-issue.
Of course, the best way to prepare to move difficult items is to call in the pros. Wheaton’s moving experts have the tools, experience, and knowhow to move anything and everything you’re worried about. If you can’t figure out how to move your piano or keep that glass from shattering, call Wheaton today. We’ve got the right moving plan for you.
