Moving Furniture Tips: How To Move Heavy Furniture Easily and Safely
Packing up your home and moving is never easy, especially if you are doing it on your own. After tossing away things you have accumulated and probably never used, gathering up various sizes of boxes at every grocer and liquor store in town for packing, boxing up everything you can live without a few days but can’t part with, it is time to deal with the heavy stuff – the furniture. Unless you are a superman – or woman – this is not a one person job, especially if the furniture is valued or valuable. Whether it is starter furniture or heirloom Amish creations, you may not be able to afford to replace it, so care is needed in moving any item heavier than you can carry yourself.
While it is true that moving yourself can be a back breaking job, it may not only be money saving but necessary. Learning to do it properly will make the move easier and safer for you and your furnishings.
SLIDE IT – Sliders are amazing and simple inventions that can be purchased at your local hardware store. Follow the instructions that usually come with the product such as lift each corner and put the slider underneath so that the smooth edge is towards the floor. The sliders will eliminate the friction and allow the heavy furniture to move very easily. Sliders work best on carpeting. A great tip to consider is if you continually move the furniture it will be easier to push or pull. A scientifically based fact is that friction greatly increases when something comes to a stop.
ROLL IT – There is more than one way to skin a cat and to move a heavy piece of furniture. The idea of rollers has been around at least as long as the pyramids. Heavy objects can be moved by putting broom handles, or thick dowels or rods underneath, and then just roll, replacing dowels as you travel.
PROTECT IT – If you have wooden floors, put a piece of old carpet, carpet sample, rugs, cardboard or a durable thick towel or blanket under each leg before you move an item of furniture. The furniture will slide more easily and won’t scratch the floor, protecting it.
Glass tabletops need special care and the route must be cleared of all obstruction. Criss-cross masking top over the glass, in case of breakage. Wrap the glass tabletop with furniture moving pad or wrap a blanket around it and tape securely. Of course this should be done while moving any piece of furniture.
ASSESS IT – Is the object top heavy? Do not use these techniques to move heavy objects that have extreme height, such as book shelves or tall boys. Their top heavy nature may cause them to topple and cause damage and/or more work, especially when fully loaded.
Always empty all items and books before attempting to move any case goods. The weight alone can pull at the joints and cause damage. Parts that can be detached or drawers that can be removed should be. If you must lift the furniture remember to carry it where it is the strongest.
Don’t just assess the furniture you are moving but the room or path you are taking to move the furniture to. Check for issues with doorways or other items that can hinder the move or cause damage to your item.
BELIEVE IT – It is not just an urban legend that one wrong lift can cause a lifetime of pain or worse, disability. Be careful not to lift with your back only; instead use your legs. Keep your torso and upper body relatively straight and almost vertical and when lifting heavy furniture, lift with your legs first, then your back and your arms.
Tags: Amish Furniture Styles, heirloom furniture, moving, moving tips, SLIDE, Sliders
