Moving a piano is a serious task. Pianos are large, heavy, delicate, and often expensive. Whether it is a family heirloom, a professional grand piano, or a beloved upright, properly preparing your instrument is crucial to ensuring it arrives safely at its new home. Wrapping the piano carefully is one of the most important parts of this process.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything you need to know about how to wrap a piano for moving. We’ll cover preparation, necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, common mistakes to avoid, and even professional tips that make the difference between a successful move and a costly disaster.
Understanding the Importance of Proper Piano Wrapping
Before diving into the practical steps, it’s essential to understand why wrapping a piano properly matters so much. The piano’s structure includes not only its solid wooden case but also hundreds of internal moving parts, delicate keys, and sensitive soundboards. Without proper protection, a piano can suffer cosmetic damage like scratches and dents, as well as internal damage that affects its sound quality.
Furthermore, moving can expose the piano to humidity, dust, vibrations, and sudden impacts. Wrapping the piano thoroughly helps shield it against all these threats. Proper wrapping also provides better grip and stability when lifting and transporting the instrument.
Materials You Will Need to Wrap a Piano for Moving
To wrap a piano correctly, you need to gather specific materials in advance. Cutting corners on quality or quantity can lead to accidents or damage. Here’s a detailed list of what you’ll need:
- Heavy-duty moving blankets or furniture pads
- Industrial-grade plastic wrap
- Packing tape
- Stretch wrap (optional but recommended)
- Moving straps
- Foam padding (optional for extra protection)
- Cardboard sheets (optional for corners)
- Piano board (for grand pianos)
- Screwdrivers and tools (for disassembly, if needed)
- Gloves (to ensure better grip and protect your hands)
Having these materials ready before you start wrapping the piano saves time and reduces the risk of rushing the process.
How to Wrap a Piano for Moving
Now let’s walk through the process step-by-step.
1. Assess the Type of Piano
The first step is to determine what kind of piano you are moving. Upright pianos and grand pianos require different handling:
Upright Piano: Taller than wide, with vertical strings.
Grand Piano: Large, horizontal instrument, often requiring partial disassembly (legs and pedal lyre removed).
Knowing the type of piano helps you plan how many people you’ll need, the size of the wrapping materials, and if disassembly is required.
2. Clear and Prepare the Path
Before you start wrapping, clear the path from the piano’s current location to the moving truck or vehicle. Remove obstacles like rugs, furniture, or decorations. Check doorways, hallways, and stairs. Measure these spaces to make sure the piano fits through without forcing it.
3. Protect the Keyboard and Lid
Start by closing and securing the piano lid. For upright pianos, close the lid over the keys. If the lid does not have a lock, use stretch wrap or a strap to keep it from flipping open during the move.
For grand pianos, secure the fallboard (the piece that covers the keys) with gentle stretch wrap or cloth ties. Never use tape directly on the piano’s wood finish.
4. Wrap the Entire Piano Body
Now it’s time to wrap the entire piano body:
Cover with Moving Blankets: Drape moving blankets generously over every side of the piano, including the back, sides, and front. If wrapping a grand piano, cover the entire lid and body.
Secure with Tape: Use packing tape to hold the moving blankets in place. Make sure the tape is attached only to the blankets, not the piano’s surface.
Add Plastic Wrap: Once the moving blankets are secured, cover the piano with a layer of industrial-grade plastic wrap. This step protects against moisture and holds the blankets firmly.
For extra protection, consider adding foam padding underneath the moving blankets, especially around corners and delicate woodwork.
5. Special Considerations for Grand Pianos
Grand pianos need special care:
Remove the Legs and Pedals: Using a screwdriver, carefully detach the legs and pedal lyre. Have two or more people support the body while you remove each part.
Wrap the Detached Parts: Individually wrap each leg and the pedal assembly with moving blankets and plastic wrap.
Secure to a Piano Board: Place the main body (the harp and case) onto a piano board, a special moving device designed for grand pianos. Strap the piano securely to the board.
The piano board allows the grand piano to be transported on its side safely.
6. Secure the Piano for Transport
After wrapping, use moving straps to secure the piano tightly:
Attach the straps around the wrapped body.
Use dollies or specialized piano movers to lift and transport the instrument without dragging.
If moving down stairs, tilt the piano slightly but never let it lean too heavily on any one side.
Professional Tips for Wrapping a Piano
Here are some tips used by professional movers to keep pianos safe:
Use Two Layers: Always use a double layer—first moving blankets, then plastic wrap—for better protection.
Protect Corners: Corners are vulnerable. Add cardboard protectors or extra foam padding to corners before wrapping.
Never Use Bubble Wrap Directly: Bubble wrap can trap moisture against the piano’s surface, leading to finish damage.
Label Disassembled Parts: For grand pianos, label each part to make reassembly easier.
Work with Enough People: Pianos are heavy. Always have at least three to four strong people assisting, even for an upright piano.
Stay Calm and Patient: Rushing leads to mistakes. Take your time to wrap and move carefully.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Wrapping a Piano
Many amateur moves end in damage because of avoidable mistakes. Here are the most common ones:
Using Inferior Materials: Thin blankets, cheap tape, and household plastic wrap won’t provide enough protection.
Taping Directly to the Piano: Packing tape or duct tape can strip finish and cause permanent marks.
Skipping Wrapping: Never move a piano without fully wrapping it, even for short distances.
Underestimating Weight: A piano’s weight can shift suddenly, leading to injuries or crashes.
Ignoring Climate Concerns: Pianos are sensitive to humidity and temperature changes. Wrapping helps insulate against outdoor conditions during the move.
When to Hire Professional Piano Movers
In some cases, it’s best to hire professional piano movers rather than attempt the move yourself. Consider hiring pros if:
- You’re moving a grand piano.
- The piano must be moved down stairs or through narrow spaces.
- The piano is extremely valuable or sentimental.
- You don’t have enough strong helpers or equipment.
Professional piano movers have specialized tools, insurance, and experience that can save you stress and protect your investment.
After Moving: Caring for Your Piano
Once the piano arrives at its new location, your job isn’t done yet. Proper care after moving is just as important:
Unwrap Carefully: Remove plastic wrap and blankets gently to avoid scratching.
Let the Piano Settle: Give your piano a few weeks to adjust to its new environment before tuning.
Schedule a Tuning: Moving can cause the piano to go out of tune. Schedule a professional tuning after a few weeks.
Monitor Humidity: Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels. Ideally, keep the piano in an environment with 40%-50% relative humidity.
Avoid Direct Sunlight and Vents: Place the piano away from windows, radiators, and HVAC vents to prevent temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Conclusion
Wrapping a piano for moving is not just about preventing scratches. It’s about protecting a delicate musical instrument that brings beauty and joy. With the right materials, careful preparation, and a methodical approach, you can ensure that your piano arrives at its new home safely and ready to fill the space with music once again.
Never underestimate the importance of patience, attention to detail, and teamwork when handling such a valuable item. If you follow the steps outlined in this guide, your piano moving experience will be smooth and stress-free.
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