Moving a piano may be difficult, and moving a piano up or down stairs can be considerably more difficult. People frequently hire specialized movers to handle items such as musical instruments and other significant valuables, but it is feasible to do it yourself. You’ll merely need to perform some preliminary planning.
Moving a piano up or down stairs requires the same equipment as moving other large goods such as pool tables and hot tubs, as well as a helper or two. While a tiny piano may be moved up or down a short set of steps by one person, a staircase that is lengthy, steep, or has curves should only be attempted with at least one assistant. We’ll go through everything you’ll need to transport a piano up or down stairs, as well as correct practices for ensuring the safety of both the piano and the person doing the movement.
What you’ll require
If you need to transport a piano, having the correct tools on hand is essential, especially if stairs are involved. The items needed to transport a piano up or down stairs are the same, and they are as follows:
- moving blanket
- duct tape or packing tape
- straps for transporting
- planks of dolly plywood (enough to cover the whole length of the staircase)
- heavy-duty gloves (one pair for each mover)
Make sure you get these essentials before moving day. Without them, you put yourself in danger of injury and make moving your piano much more difficult.
How to Move a Piano Up or Down Stairs in Four Easy Steps
On moving day, follow these instructions to carry your piano as securely and easily as possible up and down stairs.
- Plan your journey
It’s far easier to plan your route ahead of time than it is to try to figure it out as you go. Walk from the piano’s current location to the moving truck, or vice versa. Pay strict attention to doors and turns, especially stairwell turns. Measure the width of the doors to verify that they can accommodate the width of the piano and the dolly it will be sitting on. If it isn’t, you may need to remove doors or find another method. Making a strategy is essential because you want to be able to anticipate what will happen before you arrive. If you discover some overwhelming difficulties, you’ll know to contact a professional piano moving company rather than attempt the move yourself.
- Prepare the steps
One of the most difficult aspects of hauling pianos up and down stairs is the lift or drop as you move from step to riser. To get around it, you’ll need to build a ramp over the steps, which is where your plywood planks come in handy.
It’s vital to note that these planks are manufactured from plywood precisely because it’s strong enough to resist the weight of pianos (an astonishing 732 pounds on average). The durability of plywood varies. When you go to the home improvement store or lumber yard to get planks for your move, tell them exactly what you’ll be using them for so they can lead you to the correct product.
Measure your staircase before you go to the shop to ensure you obtain the proper-sized planks. You’ll need to know the proper length and breadth for your boards. Allow for board overlap by adding 18″ to 20″ to your length measurement. If you want to save money, use 2 x 4 plywood boards instead of broader ones. It will involve a little more maneuvering on moving day, but it could save you money. Take your planks and run them end to end up the stairwell. If you’re using 2 x 4s, make sure they’re the right width for your dolly’s wheels. Begin from the bottom and work your way up.
Begin at the bottom and arrange the boards such that each one supports the one above it. If they start to slip, use duct tape to keep them in place. You could also use screws or nails, but because this is only a temporary ramp, it may not be worth the effort.
- Attach the piano to the dolly
Your next step will be to prepare the piano for travel. Close and tape the cover over the keys. Then, using one or more moving blankets, thoroughly cover the piano and attach the blankets with packing tape or duct tape. If you omit this step, your piano may get scratched or damaged during transport. Leave any movable handles on the back of your piano exposed. Then, lift the piano onto the dolly and secure it firmly with movable straps. The method you use is heavily dependent on the type of piano you’re relocating. An upright piano would most likely fit neatly on the dolly; however, a grand piano will take some creative placement and strapping. Grip directly beneath the keyboard with one hand, and with the other, grab either the movable handle in the rear or another spot where you can acquire a firm grip.
When moving the piano onto the dolly, make sure you use safe procedures to avoid injuries. This involves maintaining your spine’s alignment as neutral as possible and lifting with your knees rather than your waist. Lift close to your body, and if you must rotate your body to get the piano onto the dolly, do it with your hips, not your feet.
Once your piano is securely attached to the dolly, it’s time to transport it to the truck. Clear a route to the exit, eliminating any furniture or boxes along the way, and then assign one person to pull the piano on its dolly and the other to push from the opposite side between you and your moving partner. If you have a third mover, have them walk along the side of the piano to keep it stable on the dolly. Bring the piano to the stairwell. When you arrive, have your third mover join the first mover at the end of the piano that will be directed down or pushed up the staircase —these are the locations where you require the most muscle when moving a piano up or down steps.
Slowly walk up or down the ramp, either on the ramp itself if it’s not too steep or down the stairs, angling your body in from the sides. Take tiny, deliberate steps and communicate with your moving partner(s) constantly. You’re ready to go once you’ve leveled the piano at the top or bottom landing.
Would you rather hire professionals?
If moving a piano up or down stairs seems too difficult, engage professionals instead. Use our free online moving business directory to find trustworthy movers in your region quickly and simply, and then compare at least three firms based on pricing, availability, and reviews. When you request a quotation, make sure to note that you have a piano that has to be transported up or down a staircase.