Sacramento Movers Give Instructions For Moving Pianos

Not only are pianos fragile items they are also large, awkwardly shaped, and extremely heavy, making them a challenging item to move. You may consider doing the move yourself with just a couple of friends to help lift. Keep in mind that for any upright piano over four feet tall or for any grand piano over six feet long, it’s a good rule of thumb to hire professional piano movers to handle the job. Also if the piano will need to be moved up or down stairs or in an elevator, professional movers should be utilized.  For anything smaller you may attempt to do the move yourself, in which case, the first thing you will need to do is get some extra hands to help with the lifting. Once you’ve got that, it’s all a matter of a few simple steps.

  

(Photo Credit: HomeGuides and ManbertTrucking)

Upright Pianos. These tall, top-heavy units can weight anywhere from 300 pounds to more than 800 pounds. If the keyboard has a lid, close and lock the lid so that the keys are protected. Next disassemble the front two legs supporting the keyboard if possible. If the piano is on wheels, these should be removed as well. Thoroughly pad the whole piano and fasten the padding with industrial stretch wrap. When lifting the piano, it should always be kept upright, never tipped sideways or on its back. It’s best to have at least three men available to move an upright piano so that one man can stand on each side and lift it evenly off the floor and the third man can slide a furniture dolly underneath the unit. Roll it to the door, lift it over the threshold and set it back on the dolly outside the house. It may be possible to roll the piano on the dolly all the way to the moving truck but if there are more stairs, then carrying the piece by hand is the best way to do it and more muscle power should be called upon. Once on the truck, the piano should be placed with the keyboard facing the side wall of the truck. Use straps to secure it in place.

Baby Grand and Grand Pianos. These pianos can weigh anywhere from 500 to 1200 pounds requiring an especially large moving crew. As with the upright piano, begin with closing the lid on the keyboard so that the keys are protected. Next remove the lyre and music rack, then remove each of the three legs that support the piano. Pad and stretch wrap each part as well as the main unit. Next the piano needs to be mounted on a piano skidboard which is a padded board with straps. The piano needs to be tipped on its side then strapped to the board. When it’s time to roll the piano on its dolly up the ramp of the truck, be sure that the keyboards side is facing down the slope. Once on the truck, remove the piano from its furniture dolly and face the top of the piano toward the wall of the truck. Strap it into the truck securely.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Sacramento employs a staff of over 40 Full-Time Movers and Drivers, with a fleet of 10 trucks. We have performed home and business moving services in and around the Greater Sacramento area for almost 10 years. Our award winning services include full service moving and packing services and we also sells boxes and packing supplies.

With comments or questions contact Carolyn Durkee, Marketing Coordinator at the Sacramento office of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 916-852-7411 or contact us here.