Few people know that moving can be a hazardous activity. Injuries often occur when people are not careful and hit their heads, get cuts from boxes, or slip on the floor. One of the most common injuries, however, is wall damage. If you’re not careful, walls can easily get scratched or dented during a move. Here are a few tips to help you avoid wall damage during your next move:
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To avoid wall damage, you need to plan. Make sure you know what you’re packing and where everything is going. This will help you avoid having to make last-minute adjustments and getting frustrated. When you move, one of the most effective methods to preserve walls is to consider beforehand. They say that rushing makes waste, and it’s especially true when you’re removing big furniture items or huge household appliances from your home. Hence, a good plan and careful preparations will help you avoid any nasty surprises.
When it comes time to move, walk around your house and select the best routes for shifting items from within to the moving van. Note any potential difficulties, such as corridors, stairs, sharp corners, and door frames. These are the areas that are most vulnerable to damage, so you’ll want to do everything possible to safeguard them. Walk the routes once again on moving day. Remove any obstacles, including furniture, wall art, and clutter this time around. Take the extra effort to ensure that your children and pets are out of the way.
One way to protect your walls during a move is to use protective materials. This could include newspapers, bubble wrap, or cardboard boxes. If you’re packing your belongings, make sure to use plenty of these materials. Many professional movers will have the supplies you need to protect your belongings and walls. If you’re hiring a moving company, ask them if they provide this service.
It’s also important to be mindful of your moves. When carrying a box, make sure you’re aware of where you’re going and what’s in front of you. If you’re not paying attention, you could quickly run into a wall and damage it. Hold boxes close to your body and keep them away from your head. If you’re carrying something heavy, be careful not to drop it.
Consider the number of objects and boxes you have and heavier items’ dimensions and weight when determining how many individuals you’ll need for help. It’s generally suggested to have at least two people per large, heavy item. Not having enough people to assist move big, hefty things may cause wall damage, doorway obstructions, and banister bends.
One person can lift and carry a heavy item like a rolled carpet, but you’ll need two people for a bulky object like a refrigerator. However, you may require more than four people based on how much you want to move and how long it will take you to do so. The greater the number of people available, the less likely it is for someone to get hurt, and the faster and safer your move will be.
When moving big furniture like cabinets, tables, or beds, it’s always a good idea to take them apart before moving them. This will help protect your walls from getting scratched or dented. It will also make the furniture easier to move and less likely to get damaged in transit. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask a friend or family member for help. Remove the legs and drawers from the desk, then separate all the screws and small components. Put all nuts and tiny parts in a bag and tape them to the furniture. You may want to disassemble these things before your assistance comes, whether you do it yourself or hire someone else to help. Smaller furniture and furnishings are also easier to move when they’re not attached to a large, cumbersome object.
See Also: How to Move Heavy Furniture by Yourself
Most importantly, wrap everything properly. This means using plenty of bubble wrap, blankets, and other protective materials. Wrap each item individually and avoid packing items on top of one another. Secure bubble wrap with tape to prevent it from popping. This will help keep your belongings safe and your walls intact. If you’re bringing a delicate item in through the back door, for example, and there’s a possibility you’ll accidentally touch the wall or doorway frame, leave the blankets and bubble wrap on. Not only will this cushioning keep the object from being damaged, but it will also protect your walls from harm.
When you’ve dressed appropriately for the situation, you and everyone else who will be part of the moving process can significantly minimize any property damage. Make sure you wear sneakers that are enclosed and have excellent traction (anti-slip soles). To safeguard the walls, take off any enormous rings you may be wearing – particularly those with big stones that might be inadvertently scraped against a wall and leave a permanent scar. You wouldn’t want to lose a valuable ring.
If you’re unable to move an item or it’s in the way, you can use a piece of furniture, cardboard, or even a sheet to cover the wall. This will help protect it from getting dirty or scratched. Use blankets or cardboard in hallways and stairwells where denting is a worry. In other sections of concern, drop cloths and old bedsheets help to prevent scratches and stains. Secure the moving blankets, drop cloths, and bed linens with painter’s tape to cover your walls. Wrap furniture covers around door frames and banisters as well. While you don’t have to cover every wall in your house, you should at least wrap those along the main egress routes.
Furthermore, while most furniture may be maneuvered with a few men and women on hand, larger items, such as bedroom sets or bookcases that weigh hundreds of pounds, would need more people to get them into place. Don’t forget about the walls of small rooms and hallways; they’re particularly vulnerable to damage on the day of the move. Furniture moving dollies can help reduce the stress on your walls as you move these larger pieces around your home.
When you use a moving dolly to move huge or heavy things, such as furniture or appliances, you’ll be less prone to suffer property damage. Because there are no more than two people needed to navigate the large and heavy goods on a moving dolly without causing any damage to the walls, doors, or flooring, it is a no-brainer for those who want to keep their belongings in good condition. You can also use this moving tool to move boxes and other lightweight items, making the process much more efficient.
If you’re serious about safeguarding the walls of the premises you’re leaving or moving into (remember, property damage can be extremely costly!), consider putting up wall corner guards to minimize the danger of harm to a wall’s most vulnerable spots – the corners. Corner guards are generally expensive, but they provide the maximum protection for your walls’ corners. You may buy a set of plastic corner guards from a local home improvement store or get them online (for example, from Amazon) in various colors and materials, such as rubber or vinyl.
Allow enough time to complete the task, including adequate time to prepare how you will move each substantial item. Determine the greatest way to get the thing to the moving truck without causing any damage to the walls and make any necessary measurements.
Unfortunately, people frequently underestimate the amount of time required for their relocation and have to speed up the process. As a result, they pound or dent the walls while attempting to push a piece through a restricted area. They may also damage the furnishings they are transporting or harm themselves as a result of their haste. When you’re in a hurry, it’s easy to forget the simplest of things – like covering the walls. Hence, it is advisable to take your time.
Finally, the safest approach to safeguard your walls during a relocation is to leave the heavy furniture lifting and transport them to professional movers. Professional movers have been trained meticulously to avoid any property damage, including wall damage. Furthermore, their day-to-day job experience proves helpful in all conceivable house moving scenarios. This is a great solution for those who have valuable or fragile belongings that need to be handled with care.
See Also: Types of Moving Insurance: Moving Insurance & Valuation Coverage
In addition to following the tips above, you should also avoid making these common mistakes:
See Also: Moving Day Safety Tips to Avoid Injuries
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many ways to prevent wall damage during a move. From using furniture moving dollies to corner guards and professional movers, you have multiple solutions to choose from that will fit your specific needs. By being proactive and taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure that your walls – and your wallet remain safe and sound throughout the relocation process.
How do I protect my walls when moving?
Cover the walls with drop cloths, bedsheets, or cardboard to keep the walls clean and free of scratches and dents. The foam mattress cover is placed on this inch thick, soft material with a very similar feel to the cloth. The pad will protect your walls from any unintentional impacts and keep both the walls and your furniture safe.
Can I use a moving dolly to move my furniture?
Yes, using a moving dolly will help you move your furniture without damaging the walls. You can also use this moving tool to move boxes and other lightweight items, making the process much more efficient.
Do I need professional movers to protect my walls?
Professional movers have been trained meticulously to avoid any property damage, including wall damage. Furthermore, their day-to-day job experience proves helpful in all conceivable house moving scenarios. This is a great solution for those who have valuable or fragile belongings that need to be handled with care.
How can you prevent damage when moving?
The greatest way to safeguard your home while moving is to utilize standard materials like moving blankets, cardboard, plastic sheeting or tarps, old sheets or rugs, non-slip treads, and corner guards to cushion walls and wall corners banisters, doors, windows, and even the floor.
See Also: Common Moving Injuries: Types, Causes, and Prevention
How do you move furniture without scratching the walls? Wrap your furnishings in moving blankets. These are intended to protect the surface of your furniture (and walls!) from nicks and scratches during relocation. Stackable furnishings (such as sofas) covered with moving blankets are also less likely to get scratched.
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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