Wouldn’t it be great if you could hire professional movers to help you move quickly and easily? While it may be ideal, there will come a time when you will find yourself moving without the assistance of professionals – including having to move heavy furniture by yourself.
Keep in mind that moving or relocating heavy furniture by yourself does not mean you are completely alone – it simply means you do not have professional movers to assist you. One person cannot carry a couch up or downstairs or load a moving truck with their entire home’s contents, heavy items included.
However, the distinctions between hiring a moving company and making a DIY move with your partner, friends, or family are significant. You’ll want to have a strategy to move heavy furniture out of your old place and into your new place.
You’re not a bodybuilder or otherwise expertly fit for hauling heavy loads (if you were, you probably wouldn’t be reading this). Let’s get into the specifics of how to move heavy furniture without the help of professionals.
Step-By-Step Instructions To Move Heavy Furniture:
Step 1: Create A Strategy For Your Move
Moving isn’t always enjoyable, so be as efficient as possible. The best way to accomplish this is to plan ahead of time. Make a mental note of the heavy stuff first. These items are usually loaded into the moving truck before smaller items and boxes. Plan the route and order of moving large objects, including measuring tight spaces, and keep in mind how those items will be unpacked.
It would be best if you also had a plan for unloading. Before unloading the truck, go into your new home and plan where everything will go. Putting boxes and furniture in the fitting rooms as soon as possible saves you from doing the heavy lifting again later.
You’ll need the following items for this step:
- Notepad
- Measuring tapes.
Step 2: Get Ready To Relocate
Break down large pieces of furniture into smaller pieces, and keep all screws and bolts in a safe place. Most couch and table legs detach, making moving these heavy objects in small spaces more accessible.
Wrapping furniture in plastic wrap is also a good idea. The wrap holds the pieces together and prevents scratching. Moving blankets and rope help secure furniture in the truck.
You’ll need the following items for this step:
- Wrapping in plastic
- Blankets for moving
- Rope
- Boxes for relocation.
Step 3: Use Moving Tools Whenever Possible
There’s no need to strain your back with heavy lifting when tools can do it for you.
Furniture sliders are pads that fit under the legs of large pieces of furniture, such as bed frames and couches, to allow the table to slide without damaging the floor.
A furniture dolly, a hand truck or dolly, is a two-wheeled L-shaped cart that enables you to lift and roll heavier objects. It’s ideal for boxes and rectangular furniture. A four-wheeler is similar, but it has four wheels instead of two. It is a flat platform rather than being tilted back like a dolly.
A shoulder dolly can relieve back strain when moving large items or buildings with stairs. Two people wrap straps around their shoulders with the furniture in between them. This frees up your hands and allows you to lift correctly with your legs and torso.
If you’re moving your furniture with the help of your moving truck, make sure you have some moving straps (or ratchet straps) on hand to ensure nothing moves while you’re driving.
You’ll need the following items for this step:
- Sliders for Furniture
- The hand trucks
- 4-wheeler
- Dolly on the shoulder
- Straps for moving.
Step 4: Lift Heavy Furniture Properly
Sometimes lifting is the only option. Most of us get hurt at this point. So be cautious and take your time. Here are some guidelines to follow for proper lifting techniques.
- Lift with your legs while maintaining a straight back and shoulders.
- Maintain a broad base with your legs shoulder-length apart.
- Lift heavy objects below the waist. Carry items close to you and avoid twisting your body when moving heavy items.
- When you need to lift something off the ground, bend your knees rather than your back.
- If you need two or more people to carry something, make a plan before you begin lifting.
- Anyone who has a history of back problems should consider purchasing a back brace for the move.
Step 5: Keep An Eye On The Stairwells And Doorways
Moving large furniture up and down stairs and through doorways is a team sport, so have at least one other person available to assist. If you’re carrying something up or downstairs, use the high-low method, which involves having the person lower on the stairs move the item by the bottom surface, and the person higher on the stairs carry the thing by the top cover. This will aid in the even distribution of the item’s weight.
Nothing beats squeezing a couch around a corner only to realize you’ll need to remove the legs to get it out the door. This is where preparation and a tape measure come in handy. This is another time when it is easy to get hurt, so take your time.
Items You Should Not Lift On Your Own
There are a few things you should never lift yourself, regardless of how strong your back is. Some items are so large or heavy that professional assistance is required to complete the task safely. Other items may be large and fragile, necessitating special handling and attention and specialized moving tools.
- Billiards table
- Piano
- Aquarium
- The hot tub
- Antiques that are large/heavy
- Fitness equipment
- Appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators.
Conclusion
The key to a successful move is preparation and patience. Plan as much of the move as you can ahead of time. Then, take time lifting furniture and boxes correctly and carefully to avoid injury. Use moving tools whenever possible, and you should be able to get through without a trip to the chiropractor. This is all you need to know while moving heavy furniture. If still, you go through any doubts regarding moving, then feel free to ask or contact us anytime.
If you need help, you can hire our furniture movers in Canada. Our expert team of Team Removals will help you with all their expertise.
To get a free moving quote contact us now through:
Call: +1-6479322202
Mail: info@teamremovals.ca
