Yes, it’s possible to pack up and move your belongings on your own, but there are some items that require extra attention. To take the guesswork out of knowing which items you can tackle yourself and which require more, hire experts to take the load off of yourself. Here are four of the most difficult things to move.
Plants
People don’t realize that moving houseplants is tricky. You are essentially moving a large container of dirt and it can get messy. Throw in extreme temperatures and a long drive and you could be looking at plant fatalities.
The safest way to move your plants is to transfer them to a plastic pot if they’re in heavy ceramic ones. Do this a few weeks before you plan on moving and give them time to settle. After they’ve settled into their new pots, transport them inside of your own vehicle rather than a moving truck. This way, you can control the temperature they’re experiencing and guarantee they’re not shifting in a way that could cause damage during the move.
Pianos
Pianos are heavy and challenging to move. They are large and hulking, yet have small, intricate parts inside that can be easily damaged. They really are a true moving nightmare which is why most people tend to leave them behind during a move. If, you don’t wish to leave your piano behind, hiring a professional piano moving service is the simplest and safest way to get your piano moved. If you try to take on the task yourself, you can cause serious damage not only to your piano, but to your doorways or hallways. You can also seriously injure yourself or any others assisting you, so it’s in your best interest to leave it to the pros.
Fish Tanks
It’s incredibly difficult to move fish tanks. They’re large and heavy, and a lot of the time the fish don’t survive the move due to the hectic sloshing and fluctuating conditions. Just like houseplants, it can be hard to move without your fish, so following a certain procedures will increase their chances of survival during your move.
Empty out the fish tank most of the way, but still leave some water in the bottom to ensure the existing bacteria colony remains when you refill it. Move your fish into small containers or bags using your tank water and transport them that way. Do your best to stabilize them during transport so they aren’t sloshing around in their containers, which can cause stress or physical injury.
Once you’ve arrived at your new home you can start setting up the tank as soon as possible. Float the bags (or containers) in the new tank to allow your fish to adjust to the new temperature before transferring them into the tank. You will need to keep a close eye on them for a few days to ensure the transition is going smoothly.
Artwork
Artwork is another difficult item to move. Often times the work is either expensive or has sentimental value, so avoiding any damage to the piece is important. If your artwork is in a frame, wrap it in paper or bubble wrap and secure it. Once it’s wrapped, tape cardboard pieces to the over-wrapping all around the frame for extra protection. Place it in a box and cushion it with packing peanuts or a similar material to keep it from moving around. Multiple frames can be secured together inside the box after they’ve been wrapped and covered to consolidate space.
If your artwork isn’t in a frame, wrap it heavily in bubble wrap and place it in an appropriately sized box with a reinforced bottom. Fill the box with packing peanuts and secure the top with tape. Be sure to label your artwork boxes appropriately and note that they’re fragile to indicate to movers or helpers to take extra care when handling them.
While some items may be difficult to move if you do your research you can make sure you have the appropriate tools. If you’d rather not take on the tasks yourself it’s best to hire a professional team to do it. It’s always reassuring to know that you can hire experts to move challenging items with sentimental value and you will have the confidence that they will arrive safely.
Moving Experts
Here at Alliance Moving & Storage, we’ve got all of the tools and abilities needed to move heavy or complicated items! We’ll help you maneuver how to pack up fish tanks and plants, bring the right items to wrap and protect artwork, and lift your heavy piano so you don’t have to worry about injury or damage. Contact us for any of your moving needs!
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