How to Move Heavy Furniture Without Scuffing Your New Floors
Wiki Article
Moving into a new home is an
exciting milestone, but nothing ruins the "new house smell" faster
than seeing a deep scratch across your polished Jarrah floorboards or a snag in
your fresh carpet. Heavy furniture—like solid timber dining tables, pianos, or
oversized sofas—poses a major risk to your flooring during a transition.
At Mike Murphy Removals, we’ve handled
thousands of relocations across Perth, from Cottesloe to Canning Vale, and we
know that protecting your investment is priority number one.
Here is our expert guide on how to move heavy furniture
without leaving a trace on your new floors.
1. Plan Your Path First
Before you lift a single box, walk the route from the moving
truck to the specific room. Look for tight corners, narrow hallways in older
Fremantle homes, or transitions between floor types (like tile to carpet).
Ensure the path is clear of debris or grit, as small pebbles caught under
furniture act like sandpaper on floorboards.
2. Never Drag—Always Glide or Lift
The golden rule of moving: Never drag furniture directly
across the floor. * Furniture Sliders: These are inexpensive and
incredibly effective. Use hard plastic sliders for carpeted areas and
felt-bottomed sliders for hard surfaces like timber, laminate, or tile.
+1
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The Lifting Technique: If you aren’t using
sliders, you must lift the item completely. This usually requires at least two
people and proper form (lifting with the legs, not the back) to ensure the item
isn't dropped or dragged mid-move.
3. Use Protective Floor Coverings
Don't rely solely on the furniture's feet for protection.
Cover the floor itself:
●
Masonite or Plywood Sheets: For extremely heavy
items like pianos or large safes, laying down thin sheets of Masonite creates a
"temporary floor" that takes the brunt of the weight and friction.
●
Moving Blankets: Professional-grade moving
blankets can be taped down along high-traffic hallways to prevent scratches and
scuffs from falling items or heavy foot traffic.
●
Floor Runners: For carpeted areas, use plastic
"carpet film" or runners to prevent dirt and snags.
4. Harness the Power of the Dolly
A rubber-wheeled dolly is a lifesaver. Ensure the wheels are
clean and made of non-marking rubber (rather than hard plastic, which can crack
or scratch tiles). At Mike Murphy Removals, we use specialized equipment
designed to distribute weight evenly, ensuring that even the heaviest sideboard
doesn't put "point pressure" on your floorboards.
5. Check the Legs and Feet
Often, furniture has metal glides or rough wooden feet that
have lost their protective pads over time. Before moving a piece into your new
home, take a moment to:
●
Clean the bottom of the furniture legs.
●
Apply new, heavy-duty felt pads.
●
Check for any protruding nails or staples that may have
come loose.
6. Disassemble Where Possible
The lighter the item, the less likely it is to cause damage.
Take the legs off the dining table, remove the drawers from the dresser, and
take the cushions off the sofa. By reducing the weight, you make the item much
more manageable and significantly lower the risk of an accidental drop.
Why Choose Professionals?
Moving heavy items is more than just a test of strength; it’s
about technique and the right equipment. Whether you are moving office
furniture in Osborne Park, a family home in Belmont, or a coastal
retreat in Cottesloe, the team at Mike
Murphy Removals has the expertise to move your heaviest
belongings while keeping your floors pristine.