Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano / Pexels
Moving pianos is a very difficult job, and it requires not just physical strength, but also a lot of consideration and equipment to do it correctly. Today, we’ve collaborated with Andrey Struts, the owner of High Stream Moving, to share some of the key things you need to know before you attempt moving a piano on your own.
Preparation
Let’s start with one of the most crucial steps of the piano moving process. Preparation can be significantly undervalued, which often results in terrible situations that can be difficult to fix.
First and foremost, ensure that the stairs provide enough space for you to move the piano. If there isn’t enough space to actually rotate it when necessary and move it where you need it, then you have to come up with a different solution entirely. The worst thing that can happen is the piano getting stuck in the hallway, blocking the way not just for you but for all of your neighbors as well, which is just an extremely unpleasant situation.
When you’ve done all the measurements, make sure to prepare all the equipment you will need for the move. That includes packing or duct tape, moving straps and blankets, protective padding, and heavy-duty gloves.
Safety
Make sure to secure the piano’s moving parts so that you won’t damage it or hurt yourself in the process. The keyboard lid needs to be properly closed and locked, while the pedal lyre, legs, and the music stand should be removed to avoid accidents and also to make the process significantly more convenient for everyone involved.
Photo by Maria Tyutina / Pexels
When moving the piano, remember to do it the correct way. First of all, most of the weight should be redistributed to your legs and not your spine, so make sure to bend at the knees and lift with your legs. Secondly, keep your back straight to avoid injuries — these can be pretty debilitating and would require a lot of time to heal. Finally, always lift the piano simultaneously with your assistants to ensure that the weight is redistributed equally between all of you and no one gets hurt.
Moving
When moving the piano, the key is to correctly assign roles for each person involved in the process and ensure that you can always take a rest when required. The whole path should be 100% clear of any potential obstacles, and all of the movers should be fully focused on the process at all times — mistakes can result in bad accidents and potentially dangerous situations.
Taking the piano up the stairs means that the movers at the back will have to take most of the weight, while the movers at the front will take care of navigating. The key is to take the process slow and make adjustments when necessary. Always listen to your assistants and do your best to make the job easier for them — pianos are very heavy and it is easy to accidentally drop them, causing a lot of damage. Take a rest whenever necessary, and switch roles when you feel like it will work better.
Finally, if you feel like the process requires too much effort and is far too risky to try on your own, you are probably right. In most cases, the best course of action is to hire a team of professional movers who have all the right equipment and skills to safely move it wherever you need.
