How To Move Large, Oddly Shaped, Heavy Household Items
ShareMany people have large, heavy, cumbersome items in their homes. These can include things like pianos and large pieces of furniture. When it's time to move, those things can suddenly become real pains as you try to figure out how to get them out of your home and into your new place. Here's a few tips for moving those bulky items.
Start By Enlisting Some Help
You should not attempt to move these heavy items on your own. Since weight plays a role, you'll want the help of a few people with some strength. You'll certainly want more than two people. The more people that come to your aid, the better and easier the process.
Plan Your Route
Before anybody attempts to lift anything, you must plan the route you will take. If you must go through doors, make sure to measure the thing you're moving as well as the doors. You may have to remove doors or doorframes to fit certain items through.
Make sure to clear the route you will take and have your truck ready for the item. Pick up anything that someone can trip over. Remove anything from the walls that your large piece may break or disturb.
Wrap the Item in Padding
Moving bulky, cumbersome items may lead to you bumping into all types of things. You want to avoid causing damage, and you want to avoid other things causing damage to your item.
You can purchase dedicated moving padding products. You can also make use of blankets and anything else you have to pad the item. Tape or tie the padding onto the item, and ensure it won't fall or slip off.
Pick It Up or Put It On Wheels
Depending on your route and the layout of your place, you can possibly use a dolly to move your large item. If that's not possible, then it's time for everybody to get together and lift. You don't want anybody to develop a back injury, so make sure everybody knows how to lift.
- Lift from a squatting position
- Lift with the legs, not with the arms
- Keep the back straight
- Lift slowly
- Keep feet apart
If there's enough people, have someone direct the group through the route. If you need to rearrange the position of the item to get it through doors, then set it down, and start again from the proper position.
Hire a Professional Moving Company
If all this sounds like a bit too much, you can always hire professional movers to do the hard work for you. If you must move the object through a maze of rooms and stairs, it's far better to use a professional service.
Besides, professional movers typically have insurance. If you attempt to move a large, heavy, and awkwardly shaped item yourself, you won't have any protection if you damage something.