How To Properly Move Heavy Items

1. This Is How To Properly Move Heavy Items
2. Getting Started
3. Moving Furniture & Appliances
4. Packing Heavy Items
5. Bottom Line

This is How To Properly Move Heavy Items

One of the most interesting and possibly cumbersome tasks of moving the physical challenge of actually lifting, maneuvering, and transporting your items. To make matters worse, there are normally a lot of heavy items found in the home, like appliances, furniture, and even electronic items. They are also among some of the most valuable possessions, which means that you should definitely learn about how to properly move heavy items ahead of time.

Getting Started

This involves planning and giving a lot of thought to how and when your items will be moved. Some considerations:

• Use Professional Help: Professional movers can be a great idea. They certainly have a lot of experience helping others move and know how to lift, move, and maneuver heavy items.
• Friends: If you can't (or don't want to) hire professional movers, then consider getting some help from a few friends. Using more people can help avoid any potential lifting injuries or accidents.
• Planning the Route: The first thing to consider is keeping the route you will take when moving the item clear, clean, and free of obstacles. Also, measure the 'choke points' in the route to ensure the item will fit.
• Be Careful: Never just grab something and start to lift. Test it out by first lifting one corner or side. This helps to give you an idea of its true weight and ease of maneuverability. Then, if needed, get some help.

Moving Furniture & Appliances

The same basic rules apply to both furniture and appliances. For example:

• Proper Preparation: In the case of furniture, this means removing drawers and shelves to help keep things light. You may even consider some amount of disassembly in certain cases. All racks and contents should be removed from appliances. Always disconnect everything (gas lines, drain and water lines) well in advance and allow any ice to defrost and drain. Tape any electrical cords to the back, keeping them out of the way.
• Use a Dolly: Instead of struggling with large, bulky, and heavy items, put them on a dolly. This is especially true in the case of appliances which cannot be tipped over like refrigerators (the oil could flood the cooling lines).
• Sliders Help: These are just slipped under each corner of the furniture or appliance. This then allows the item to be moved across the floor much easier.
• Furniture Pads: These will protect your furniture (and appliances) from scratches and damage while being moved, and come in two varieties—paper and fabric. They can normally be rented from moving companies.

Packing Heavy Items

When packing such items, you always want to use the smallest box possible. This eliminates any extra weight and helps to keep the object more restricted. It is also much easier to handle. In the case of heavy books, try and pack them vertically in boxes.

Bottom Line

By being careful, you can easily move your heavy items. The basic rules like keep the route clear and lift with the legs rather than back still make a lot of good, common sense. Following these guidelines will ensure a safe and productive move.