Why Moving A Piano Without A Professional Puts You At Risk

Why Moving A Piano Without A Professional Puts You At Risk

Just because a mover adds your piano to their job doesn’t mean they’ll handle it with the greatest of care. 

If a mover doesn’t move pianos for a living, they might not be aware of how to pack the piano properly without breaking legs, pedals, or other delicate parts in the process. They also won’t be aware of how to fix complex problems once they put your piano in its final resting spot. 

Pianos can weigh hundreds to even thousands of pounds. Moving a piano is different than moving a large chest of drawers or an armoire. It’s bulky. It’s awkward. It’s easy to hurt yourself and easy to damage the piano. Why Moving A Piano Without A Professional Puts You At Risk

And because movers only carry insurance needed for the most common types of moving damage, chances are they won’t be fully covered if the unexpected happens to your piano. 

That means you’ll have to foot the bill to get your piano back into original condition. 

If you’re moving, and a piano is a part of your move, do your research early to be sure they’re right for the job. 

A great way to tell is by the equipment they use for the process. Piano moving companies have trucks specifically built for moving pianos. They’re smaller. They’re specially made for housing a piano during a move. 

They also use hydraulic lifts and other technology to have less chance in injury for both the movers and for your piano. 

Another great way to tell if someone is experienced in moving pianos is to do a little research online. Look through review sites to determine who has a good reputation and who to avoid. 

Also, remember moving a piano is not a do it yourself project. Even house movers utilize tools to help them lift heavy objects. Do it yourselfers often attempt moving without straps and dollies, simple items that can add leverage to the job. Pianos are heavier than they look; it’s the last thing you want to discover when you’re nearing a flight of stairs, or trying to wiggle the piano through a door. 

When Moving A Piano Does It Need To Rest Before It Is Tuned?

When Moving A Piano Does It Need To Rest Before It Is Tuned?

When a piano is moved, it can go out of tune due to a number of factors:

  • Humidity levels may change
  • Temperature levels may change
  • Bumps and bangs can knock it out of tune

It also depends on the length and distance of the move. Are you moving it from the living room to the family room? Are you moving it 10 minutes away? Or will it be moved half way across the country?When Moving A Piano Does It Need To Rest Before It Is Tuned?

Longer moves will typically provide more opportunity for a piano to expand and contract based on the different environments it resides in. Yet even a slight movement can sometimes have a big impact.

Where is a piano coming from, and where will it be moved to? Some pianos are well taken care of, tuned every four months, and being moved from your old home to your new home. Other pianos may have been stored in a basement for years without tuning, and moved into a home for a young child to begin lessons. Big difference in the care it had before the move; big difference in the approach to take to bring it back in tune.

If a piano is on a regular maintenance schedule, it’s probably okay to keep to that schedule and your piano will continue operating at peak condition.

If a piano has been sitting in storage for years without maintenance, the first tuning may not have full effect. In order to bring it into tune, it may take several attempts, which means working on it from the moment you move it will start the process.

If a piano is coming from a desert community and will be placed in our more humid climate here in Memphis, it may take a few days of adjustment to settle in to its new environment. Give your piano time to adjust to its new surroundings, then schedule a piano tuning session to perfect its pitch.

If a move is in your future, start by talking with a professional mover first. They can help walk you through the process, and provide you with the best advice for maintaining the sound quality of your piano.