Fortunately, they don’t have to. After all, the story of your move is your story. We want to help you write a triumphant one. Here’s how you can move even the most monstrous moving materials safely and effectively.
Aquariums.
Aquariums are arguably one of the hardest things to move. They’re a combination of multiple “scary” complications on this list: they’re heavy, fragile, and they contain pets. Not only are aquariums difficult just based on their size, but moving the fish themselves is also challenging. Moving fish involves disturbing and displacing them, a process many fish don’t survive. Luckily, there are a few ways to make a move easier on both you and your fish:
- Don’t move fish in the aquarium. Instead, move them to a holding container you can carry with you.
- Drain most of the tank, but not all of it. You’ll want to hold onto existing bacteria colonies when it’s refilled.
- Move the aquarium in your own vehicle instead of in the moving van if there’s room.
Plants.
Just like fish, plants are fragile and sensitive. The jostling movements, changing temperatures and reduced sunlight plants endure during a move can be dangerous. Moving houseplants without injury can be done if you take a few special considerations:
- Transplant your plants into easy-to-move plastic pots instead of heavy, fragile decorative ones.
- Do not move plants in a moving van. Move them in your own vehicle to avoid bruising and other damage. Certain states have laws about moving plants into or out of them because of insects like the spotted lanternfly. Check whether you live in one of those zones before moving your plants.
- Don’t forget to water your plants, even while you’re moving. Bring a spray bottle and spritz them as you go.
Pianos.
Pianos are heavy. Really, really heavy. A grand piano can easily weigh upwards of a thousand pounds. As if that weight wasn’t enough to make pianos a pain to move, the instruments are also notoriously delicate. Pianos are made up of intricate, fragile internal components… components that can break or detach easily.
We strongly recommend against attempting to move a piano on your own. Heavy, oddly shaped items like these are the reason professional movers exist. They’ll have the tools, skills and experience to get it done without risk of injury to you, your fragile instrument or your home.
Artwork.
Artwork is hard to move because it is frequently special, fragile, sentimental and valuable. Packing your artwork properly takes a few special steps. Wrap each canvas in bubble wrap first, securing it with packing or duct tape.
Once it’s wrapped, you can use more tape to secure cardboard on either side. The wrap keeps your art from getting smudged or stained. The cardboard prevents punctures or another breakage.
TVs.
TVs are big, heavy, hard to carry and (you guessed it) fragile. You could move a TV one of two ways: either wrap it in a blanket or pack it up in the box it came in. If you still have the box, make sure you pack it so that the TV can’t move while it’s inside the box.
If you’re going to wrap the TV, lay the blanket down and gently lay the television on it. Then wrap the television up in the blanket and secure it with tape. Make sure you use a blanket that isn’t too slippery so you can get a good grip on the TV when you’re carrying it.
Moving fragile, heavy and expensive things like the items on this list can be frightening, but your move doesn’t have to be! If you’re (justifiably) intimidated by the items on this list, just call the pros at Bekins. We can help make your next move less scary and more successful.
