Moving large items across the country is a daunting task that you want to leave to professionals. But, if you are moving locally and want to avoid using the services of moving companies in Denver to save a buck, we are here to try and help you. It is a strenuous task that comes with risks both for you and your property. People can get injured, furniture and the home can get damaged, too. That’s why we advise you to carefully study this manual and prepare well before engaging in this process. So, we offer our finest tips on how to move heavy items without professional help and without hurting yourself in the process.
What Should You Do Before Transporting a Bulky Object?
If you want to downsize your moving expenses checklist, you can go around hiring movers in Denver and try to do it yourself. When it comes to heavy and bulky objects, it doesn’t really matter if you are living in downtown Denver and relocating to a new home down the block or to one of the best Denver suburbs for families because getting around Denver and navigating the RTD app won’t be an issue. However, the mere process of getting the bulky item through the doors and into the truck can be challenging. To do that, you’ll need to put the brain into work before turning to muscle strength. You will need to plan and measure everything first and get the right equipment.
Put Your Brain Into Work First and Plan Ahead
You may be excited about Denver museums and all the cool places in Denver you’ll be near to when you move to some of the up-and-coming neighborhoods in Denver, but don’t rush into the move. You can’t just up and start carrying heavy furniture around without a plan. You could, but what happens when you reach the door and the sofa won’t fit? Or you have something on your way?
You gotta make sure you have a route planned out and that you have removed everything out of the way. That’s moving tips 101, and not only when it comes to this. So, for example, if you are trying to figure out how to move a piano, you must first map out a route and measure the instrument and any doors or stairs along the way to see if it fits. If not, you’ll have to disassemble the object and maybe even remove the door. And, you should also get the right tools in advance, adopt a proper lifting technique, and get help.
How Do You Lift Heavy Things by Yourself?
If you want to avoid the services of Denver movers, you have got to know how to move efficiently and all the moving hacks there are. The first thing on your moving to-do list should be gathering information on what tools you’ll use, making a plan, and adopting the right lifting techniques. You also won’t be able to do it all by yourself, so bribe some friends with the best burger in Denver or some other best takeout in Denver they like and ask them for assistance. But, first things first – the equipment. We dedicate this paragraph to the tools necessary for this kind of task. So, learn what they are, how you can find them, and get them before you start with anything else.
Use Sliders for Moving Heavy Furniture
It’s much easier to just slide furniture over the floors than to carry it, isn’t it? Sliders are such a useful tool, and they’re cheap and easy to get by. So, stop by the nearest hardware or home improvement store on your way from some of the best Denver breweries. You can also get them online on sites such as Amazon. For sliding objects over the carpet, use hard plastic sliders, and if you are sliding over tile or hardwood, do for soft-padded ones. Place them near a sofa or what item you are about to move, lift one corner of it, and place the slider underneath. Then just slide away.
Dollies and Hand Trucks Are the Ultimate Tools
Dollies and hand trucks are the ultimate pieces of equipment for moving heavy objects. They are the answer to every how to move something heavy question and a sure way out of moving stress. A dolly is a square platform with four wheels used to transport heavy furniture, while a hand truck has two wheels, and it’s perfect for carrying stacks of boxes. When using either one, don’t forget to tie whatever you put on them with straps. This especially goes for carrying things down the stairs, as you don’t want the item to roll over and damage itself, the floor, or even worse – hurt somebody.
Blankets and Plastic Wrap for Protection
You don’t want to end up damaging the sofa’s legs or the delicate fabric, do you? Also, while carrying these, you could scratch the surface of the floors or even walls. That’s where blankets and plastic wrap come in. You should wrap whatever you intend on carrying in a blanket first. If something is extremely delicate, you can add another layer. Then cover it with plastic wrap and secure it. If you are carrying cupboards, shelves, or other things that contain glass, don’t forget to cover the glass with X-shaped tape.
Lifting Straps Are a Great Helper
Lifting straps, also known as shoulder dollies, are a great device for carrying big objects. You put them over your body, and they switch the weight of what you are carrying to stronger muscles. This avoids all the weight pressuring against your back and reduces injury. In that way, it makes your whole body function like a pulley system, evening out the weight. The only downside to these is that you can’t use them while carrying things down or up the stairs. That’s because they will put the whole weight and the pressure of the item you are carrying on the person on the bottom, so keep this in mind. In this video, you’ll find how shoulder dollies work.
Use the Help of More Than a Single Friend
Carrying a bunch of big stuff isn’t easy, and you won’t be able to do it all by yourself. You’ll need a couple of helpers to carry the things into a truck or to storage. So, call your friends or family members and see if they are willing to assist you with this. Bear in mind that you need strong people who already know how to carry large items and have experience doing it. You can thank them by throwing an amazing moving-away party for them or taking them out to some of the downtown Denver restaurants. Make sure they wear proper footwear that will help them balance and prepare some gloves for them to use to protect their hands.
Can You Hire Movers to Move One Item?
Yes, you can! Movers also take on single-item moves. The price of the service will vary on different things, like the kind of object. For example, if you are relocating a piano or a large gun safe, the price may be higher than if you just want to move a dresser.
Know That You Should Remove What You Can
The goal is to make the thing you want to move as light and as easy to carry as possible. Also, you want to minimize the parts that can get scratched or damage something (or pinch your fingers). So, remove whatever you can and disassemble what can be disassembled before you start. If you are about to carry something like a dresser, remove the drawers with clothing from it. You can also take this opportunity to declutter and donate clothes in Denver. Remove the legs and knobs, and label everything so it’s easier for you to put it back together afterward. If there are, however, some parts that you can’t remove or disassemble – secure them with tape, so they don’t move in transit.
Adopt the Right Lifting Technique
Like you already figured out – you will want to reduce the act of lifting and carrying to a bare minimum and slide and push as much as you can. This is so much easier, and you’ll have more energy to do it faster. But, there are times when this won’t be possible, and you would have to actually lift and carry the large things. Such are the situations when you reach the stairs or as you load them into a truck. This is the part when knowing how to properly lift things is crucial to avoid hurting yourself and others or causing damage. Here are the most important things you should know about how to lift massive things.
Bend at the knees, not the waist – Your major concern right now is to avoid throwing out your back. So, you want to spread the weight evenly on your body and carry it in your legs. To do that, assume a squatting position for the initial lift. Bend at the knees instead of leaning forward – this will ensure the weight is put on your arms and legs instead of your back.
Carry the item close to the body – Another major point in this process is maintaining balance. That’s why you should keep the thing you’re carrying as close to your body as possible. Even though this may be challenging, that’s how you make sure more pressure is put on your upper body as opposed to your forearms.
Don’t twist your body – Try to stay as still as you can while you are carrying the massive load. If you move suddenly and hastily, you can injure yourself. When you need to turn or move, lead the movements from your hips, not the feet. Let your feet follow the lead of your hips.
Here’s some useful information on how to properly lift heavy things.
Moving Large Items up and Down the Stairs
If you are lucky enough – you won’t have to maneuver the stairs on your way out. But, if you have a house in some of the affordable Denver suburbs, chances are you live in a house and will have to navigate the stairs. This is an especially tricky and challenging part due to the fact that you will have to be carrying the object and over such challenging terrain.
Don’t let the size of the object fool you – small things can weigh a lot, and it’s always better to have assistance when carrying something down and up the stairs. Take it easy, one step at a time – the person at the top should direct the object while the person at the bottom will handle most of the weight and set the pace. Good communication between the two is crucial.
Park the Truck Near the Door of Your Home
Find a good spot for the vehicle that will be used for transport – the closer to your front door, the better. That way, you won’t have to carry the heavy thing for long. This is something to consider and plan before the move, especially if you live in the downtown area – secure parking. When it comes to how to pack a moving truck – put heavier things first and try to spread the weight evenly throughout it. Put sofas, tables, and chairs in an upright position. Leave the boxes and smaller items for last. When it comes to unpacking – just do the same process in reverse.
Use the Services of Denver Movers So You Don’t Have to Lift Furniture and Other Bulky Objects by Yourself
If this seems like too much of a hassle and risk – it’s cause it is. It’s a really back-breaking job best left to professionals. So, if possible, we highly advise using residential moving services in Denver. If you want to make sure your bulky things are well packed and protected, consider hiring packing services, as well. It will save you the trouble of figuring out how to pack glasses, as well. You can contact us to get your free quote – an estimate of the cost of our service.
