Moving brings a lot of risks for your goods, which will be packed, transported and handled between two homes, for which there are necessary security measures: protective packaging, labeling of “fragile” boxes, etc. However, the risks associated with floors, which are less considered a priority, are often overlooked. However, it often happens that a slight accident occurs during a move and damages the floor, either in the original accommodation or in the new accommodation.
Normally, repair costs are your responsibility and can be high depending on the severity of the damage. To avoid a costly unpleasant surprise related to the move, protect yourself with home insurance. If you have home insurance, your goods being moved are covered by your insurance policy (certain conditions apply).
Fortunately, there are several ways you can protect your floors during your move and avoid the complications caused by the damage. Here are our tips and tricks to properly protect floors when moving.
1. Measure your furniture
Before your moving day, take the time to measure your furniture (especially larger ones) and take note of the measurements. Then compare these measurements with the dimensions of your new home: rooms, entrance, stairs, etc. This way you will know in advance if your furniture is the right size for your rooms, in addition to avoiding damage to floors and walls. Very often the measurements are not exact. Result: A large table or chest of drawers forcibly pushed into too small an area can cause scratches.
2. Pack sensibly
Packing your belongings is an important step in your move, hence the advice to plan ahead. An organized and efficient packing process can save you from damaging your floors on D-Day.
- Choose quality material – Be well prepared in terms of packaging by equipping yourself with good quality products. Sometimes used cardboard boxes can break and cause heavy items to fall onto your floors. Use sturdy cardboard boxes or reinforce your less sturdy boxes with duct tape.
- Disassemble the biggest pieces of furniture – To avoid dropping a piece of furniture that is too heavy or having difficulty handling it, dismantle it to make transport easier. This allows you to securely wrap each piece.
- Cover large items – In order to avoid damage to floors and walls, it is recommended to cover the exterior with your furniture and heavy objects. For example, you can wrap the legs of your dining table with a napkin or cloth to reduce the chances of scratching the floor.
- Get rid of unwanted furniture – Moving is the perfect time to get rid of old furniture and objects. Of waste collection services can come right to your door and help you declutter the accommodation you are preparing to vacate. You won’t have to carry your garbage with you to your new home.
3. Wear good shoes
When carrying heavy and bulky objects, some sudden movements with the wrong shoes can damage the floors. Make sure you wear proper footwear and encourage those who are helping you move to do the same. There are also shoe covers that you could provide on D-Day.
4. Lift the furniture
This may seem obvious, but it is very important not to slide boxes or furniture on the floor. Even though this is just a cardboard box, the friction caused by sliding can damage and wear down your floors. That said, make sure you prepare for your move so that you can lift your furniture at all times, alone or with several people. If you think you need help, choosing movers can be a great solution.
5. Transport tools
You may have noticed that, during a move, removal professionals are equipped with devices and equipment to facilitate the transport of furniture and boxes. If you are planning to carry out your move yourself, you can then think about obtaining additional equipment to ensure the protection of your floors:
- Rolling trolley – To rent or buy, this device allows you to move heavy furniture, such as refrigerators, and carry several boxes at the same time.
- Furniture slides – These are small plastic, felt or rubber accessories that go under your furniture and heavy objects to protect your floors from breakage.
6. Cover floors
Here’s a simple, but effective technique: cover floors directly to protect them from damage. Rather than protecting your items and furniture, you can cover the floor with different protective materials like these:
- Carpet – You can use the rugs you already have or borrow the old rugs from your friends or family. Determine the areas of greatest risk and cover them with these rugs.
- Carton – Since you are already surrounded by cardboard boxes, use those that are no longer used to cover certain areas of the floor and glue them to the floor.
- Plastic – There are several types of plastic movable covers which are easy to use for temporary protection. However, be careful with plastic films that are too thin, which may not protect the floors from the biggest knocks.
7. Call on professionals
Moving companies have the experience, equipment and expertise to prevent damage to your floors. While it may not always be necessary to do this, it is a good idea to let the movers know what furniture, rooms, or places you consider to be a risk for floor damage. They will thus be able to pay special attention. By using a company of confidence move, you do not need to purchase all the protective equipment that would normally be needed, since it should be included in the service.
–
