8 Most Challenging Items In A House Move
Moving house is rarely a walk in the park. In fact, it’s often more like having to navigate a minefield of fragile, heavy, and oddly-shaped items that leave even the most seasoned homeowner in a state of dread.
From the daunting task of transplanting a beloved grand piano to the delicate care of moving a well-established aquarium, each house move presents a unique set of challenges that require careful planning and specialised strategies. But worry not, with the right know-how, even the most intimidating household items can be transported with grace (and minimal cursing).
In this blog post, we’ll explore the best techniques for safely relocating life’s more difficult-to-move possessions, ensuring your big day goes off without a hitch.
Pianos: 800 Pounds of Musical Memories
Let’s start with perhaps the most infamous moving quandary – the piano. This towering, weighty instrument is the stuff of nightmares for many a mover, with its challenging weight, awkward dimensions, and delicate interior mechanisms.
The key to piano-moving success lies in strategic disassembly. Start by removing the legs, pedals, and lid (if possible) to break down the behemoth into more manageable components.
Next, you need the help of at least four strong individuals – or, for the less muscular among us, professional piano movers – to carefully manoeuvre the body onto a piano dolly. Secure the piano in place using sturdy straps to prevent any unanticipated tipping.
Of course, it’s not just the weight that requires attention. The piano’s delicate innards must also be protected during transit. Wrap the entire unit in thick moving blankets or specialised piano pads, taking care to cushion any exposed corners and edges and when plotting your moving route, be mindful of potential obstacles like tight corners or staircases that could spell disaster for your prized instrument.
Aquariums: Transporting a Miniature Ocean
While pianos may hog the limelight when it comes to moving mayhem, having an aquarium can pose another unique set of moving challenges. Navigating fragile glass, sloshing water, and the well-being of your fishy inhabitants requires a deft touch and meticulous planning.
The first and most crucial step is to thoroughly drain the aquarium; carefully removing the water, fish, and plants, and transferring them to safe temporary containers for the journey. This not only reduces the overall weight, but also prevents the aquarium from shattering under the strain of a full tank during transport.
Next, wrap the empty aquarium in a generous cocoon of bubble wrap and moving blankets, taking care to pad the corners and edges. This protective layer will shield the glass from any bumps or jolts encountered along the way.
When it comes time for you to reassemble your underwater oasis at the new location, be sure to reintroduce a blend of old and new water to maintain a stable environment for your aquatic friends.
Large Furniture: Navigating Heavy and Bulky Pieces
While the thought of hoisting a grand piano or a delicate aquarium may induce a cold sweat, let’s not forget the everyday challenges of manoeuvring large, heavy furniture through tight spaces.
From your bulky bookshelves to your bed frames, these are some of the most challenging house move items, they are often heavy and hard to have a handle on when lifting. This itself presents moving furniture, a unique set of obstacles that require strategic thinking and the right equipment.
Expert furniture removalists break down oversized items as much as possible, removing shelves, drawers, and other detachable components. Disassembling not only makes them easier to transport, but also reduces the risk of damage to both the furniture and your home’s walls, floors and personal injury.
Make sure you place all the loose screws and bits in a plastic bag and attach it to the furniture if you would like any chance of reassembling it at your new house.
Vehicles: Moving Them Long Distance
When it comes to relocating longer distances, your vehicle often requires just as much attention as your household items. Moving a car or motorcycle, or other types of vehicles over long distances presents its own set of challenges and concerns.
First and foremost, it’s essential to choose the right method for transport. If you opt for a professional vehicle transport service, be sure to check their credentials and read customer reviews to ensure your vehicle will be in safe hands during the journey.
Before the move, prepare your vehicle by giving it a thorough clean and documenting its condition with photographs. This will safeguard you against any potential disputes if there were any damages during transport.
If you’re driving your vehicle to your new location, conduct a maintenance check, make sure that fluids are topped off, tires are inflated correctly, and all lights are functioning well for the long journey ahead. You can even leave some personal belongings inside the vehicle if you plan to drive, however it may not be wise if you are not familiar with long drives.
Electronics: Protecting Your Expensive Gadgets
In our increasingly tech-driven world, the prospect of moving delicate electronics can be enough to induce a mild panic attack. After all, these pricey gadgets are notoriously fragile, sensitive to temperature and dust, screens cracking and accidental drops and are an absolute pain to set-up once moved.
Your best defence? Lean on the original packaging whenever possible. If you’ve held onto those foam or styrofoam inserts and protective boxes, you’re already halfway there. For items without their factory-fresh containers, wrap each device in anti-static bubble wrap and secure them in sturdy moving boxes.
Don’t forget to label your cables and cords too, take pictures of the setup or label cords before disconnecting – it may seem tedious, but it’ll save you a headache when it comes time to set up your electronics at the other end. – And if you have the space, consider transporting your sensitive tech in the passenger seat of your vehicle, rather than the moving truck, to minimise exposure to temperature extremes and potential bumps.
Artwork and Mirrors: Handling Fragile Framed Giants
Ah, the beauty and grace of fine art and ornate mirrors – qualities that, unfortunately, don’t always translate well to the rigours of moving day. These delicate, and sometimes oversized treasures can be challenging and require a little extra care and consideration to ensure safe passage to their new home.
To move paintings or artwork safely, begin by outfitting each piece with sturdy corner protectors, then cover with bubble wrap or foam sheets, this will shield them like a piece of armour. Wrap the entire frame securely, taking care to cushion any exposed edges.
For added peace of mind, invest in specialised art or mirror boxes designed to accommodate these unwieldy items.
It’s important to note that protective packaging is only half the battle – proper labelling is key.
Mark each box as “Fragile” and “This Side Up” to ensure they are handled with the utmost care. If, however, you’re transporting particularly valuable artwork, you may want to consider an insurance policy, just in case.
Plants: Keeping Your Greenery Alive
It’s not just the traditional household items that require special attention during a move – your much loved plants also need a bit of TLC to survive the moving journey. After all, these living, breathing companions are susceptible to damage from temperature fluctuations, physical distress, and improper watering especially during summer moves.
To give your plants the best chance of surviving the journey, we recommend you follow a dedicated plant moving guide.
In short, you’ll want to start by lightly watering them a day or two before the big move, but avoid overwatering. Trim any excess foliage to reduce stress on the roots, and use breathable plant bags or boxes with ample air circulation to prevent crushed leaves.
When loading up the moving truck, be mindful of temperature extremes – keep your plants out of direct sunlight and away from air conditioning vents to minimise shock.
Once you’ve arrived at the new home, re-pot any plants that appear stressed or pot-bound to give them a fresh start in their new environment.
Outdoor Equipment: Barbecues, Lawnmowers, and Bicycles.
Last but not least, let’s not forget about the quirky collection of outdoor gear that often finds its way into a household move. From bulky barbecues and lawn mowers to the ever-elusive bicycle, these odd-shaped, potentially dirty items require some extra consideration.
Start by thoroughly cleaning them before packing it up – you don’t want to be unpacking a grill caked in grease and grime that somehow makes its own way onto your beautiful suede fabric couch you purchased not too long ago. Then, disassemble what you can, removing parts like wheels, adjusting seats and anything else to create more compact, manageable units.
Protect the surfaces of your outdoor gear with moving blankets or specialised covers, taking care to secure everything in place, being sure to drain any remaining fuel or oil to avoid spills and risk of potential hazards during transit.
With a little advance planning and the right techniques, even the most sizable moving tasks can be conquered with grace. So take a deep breath, put on your problem-solving hat, and get ready to transport your household treasures to their new home.
