We humans tend to collect a lot of stuff! Some of our possessions are easy to pack and move, but others are either too big or too heavy to maneuver to a new location. If you lack the time or resources to employ professional movers, you can still do the task with ease by using safe lifting techniques and the appropriate equipment. Whether you’re packing for a move or organizing your house, we have several tips and tactics for moving even the biggest objects. Let’s explore more about moving particular furniture, what tools can be useful, and how to keep your possessions secure.
Before You Start
Prior to starting the lifting procedure, carefully plan where each piece of furniture will go. Measure the entrances and halls you must navigate while rearranging the furnishings. If you attempt to force something through a doorway or hallway that is too narrow, it might get damaged. It might even result in you dropping that object and hurting yourself or your moving spouse.
Before relocating large or heavy items, make sure the path is clear. This will make it easier for you to view the path and avoid any potential tripping risks. To avoid scratches or damage, place a liner on the floor as well. Moving blankets or a roll-out plastic liner are options. To prevent mishaps, always wear non-slip shoes with closed toes.
To make your furniture lighter, take as much of it apart as you can. Check to see if you can remove any legs, shelves, or drawers instead of attempting to carry the complete piece of furniture. In order to make the furniture more manageable, disassemble it as much as you can and carry the separate parts. Often, a screwdriver will be sufficient to disassemble the furniture. Other times, depending on the kind of fasteners being used, you could need pliers or a hex wrench.
Helpful Equipment
Slings
Large objects can be difficult to move. Take a mattress, for instance. Something that seems soft and light to rest on at night turns into something hefty and difficult to move. It takes two people to move a mattress because it is heavy and shaped strangely. We suggest having assistance with this from someone. It’s important to make sure a mattress is securely fastened while transferring big, heavy objects.
You can stop a mattress from toppling over and breaking by making a sling for it. These serve as moveable straps, assisting in the item’s weight distribution and greatly simplifying carrying. Using a sling will make it easier to keep your mattress steady, which should simplify the task significantly.
Dollies
Simple in design, furniture dollies are remarkably efficient. Usually, they are only a four-wheeled wooden rectangle. Raise your bulky furniture and place it so that the flattest part in the middle rests on the dolly. This makes moving large, heavy objects a lot easier.
When using a furniture dolly, two people are usually needed: one to push while the other steers in front and looks out for obstructions. Avoid going too fast and take your time. Additionally, pay attention to any floor gradients. Ensure that the object does not roll or tip over.
Sliders
Large objects can become stuck when moved because of friction. Furniture sliders are necessary if you’re moving heavy furniture by yourself. They’re not only for comfort but also for your own health and safety. Heavy furniture is frequently far easier to push around than it is to lift.
Plastic furniture sliders typically make furniture glide more easily on the floor, even on carpet, when positioned beneath each leg and corner. A movable barrier is created between the furniture and the floor by furniture sliders. Additionally, they lessen the possibility of scuffs and harm to carpets, tiles, or wood.
Straps
For moving large, heavy furniture, lifting straps come in handy. By making the process of carrying awkward or large objects easier, they can help you avoid injuring yourself.
The straps center your weight and improve your ability to employ your muscle power by acting as a pulley system. In order to improve your grip, the most basic straps have loops or handles on both ends that you can wrap around an object. You can also add braces for your forearms, shoulders, and back.
By dispersing the weight uniformly, lessening the strain on the body, and accelerating the movement time, moving straps can make moving objects easier. For particularly big items, full-back braces are great, especially if you want to reduce your chance of getting hurt. They’re commonly stocked at home improvement and do-it-yourself retailers like Home Depot.
Tips for Moving Heavy or Large Pieces
1. Rely on Your Legs Instead of Your Back
Instead of using your back to lift, use your legs. When lifting, maintain a straight back and bend at the knees to ensure good form. Point your feet in the direction of the furniture. Lift the furniture up by slowly straightening your legs and contracting your core muscles. To prevent injuries, do not rotate or twist your upper body while moving the furniture.[4] Ask a partner to assist you if the furniture is too heavy, big, or oddly shaped for you to lift alone.
Serious strain or injury might result from lifting with your back while bending at the waist. You may preserve your back muscles by lifting with your legs because they are stronger and they help you maintain your center of gravity.
2. Use the High Low Tactic
When carrying tall items, use the high-low technique. If you have long sofas or towering bookcases, get a partner to help you move them. Backward tilt the furniture such that one person is holding onto the top, and the other is carrying it from the bottom. As a result, lifting and carrying the furniture will be simpler due to its more balanced center of gravity. Because the angle at which you’re holding the piece is typically the same as the steps, the high-low method is also ideal for transporting large, heavy furniture upward.
3. Getting Through Doorways
To wrap around doors and corners, flip couches and chairs on their sides. Turn your chair or couch so that it forms an L shape if it is too large to fit through a doorway or hallway corner regularly. Slide the seat around the corner or through the entrance. Next, rotate the couch or chair so that it hooks around the corner. Once your furniture is through, tilt it back into place and proceed with the usual carrying. Removable backrests make it easier to maneuver certain couches and chairs through narrow hallways and entrances.
Conclusion
It might be difficult to move furniture, particularly if you’re moving to a new house rather than just rearrangement of a room. These laborsome tasks call for the preparation and expertise of a moving company in Kansas City. We will guarantee your priceless belongings arrive securely and safely without hurting or straining your own muscles.
