Moving to a new home can be both an exciting and stressful experience. While you look forward to settling into your new space, the process of packing, transporting, and unpacking your belongings can be quite overwhelming.
One of the biggest concerns during a move is the potential for items to get damaged or broken in the process. In this blog post, we explore the top five items that are most susceptible to damage during a move and discuss why these items are prone to breakage and provide practical tips for both homeowners and professional movers to prevent these unfortunate mishaps.
1. TELEVISIONS
Televisions are among the most expensive and fragile items in a household. It’s no surprise that they often suffer damage during moves. They have delicate screens that can crack or shatter easily under pressure, and internal components can become dislodged if the TV is not handled with care. Vibrations and impacts during transportation can exacerbate these risks.
WHY THEY GET BROKEN
Inadequate Padding: One of the primary reasons for TV breakage during a move is inadequate padding or improper packaging. TVs have delicate screens that are susceptible to cracks, and without proper protection, they can easily get damaged.
Incorrect Handling: TVs are often mishandled during a move. They are dropped, bumped, or placed in positions where they are vulnerable to impact.
PREVENTION TIPS
Use Original Packaging: If you still have the original packaging for your TV, use it. These boxes are designed to fit your TV snugly and offer excellent protection. The styrofoam inserts and protective materials are designed to cushion and secure the TV during transportation.
Custom Crating: If you don’t have the original packaging, consider investing in custom crates designed for TVs. These crates provide maximum protection during transit.
Secure with Straps: Secure the TV in place with straps inside the moving vehicle to prevent it from shifting during the journey.
Bubble Wrap and Blankets: Wrap the TV in bubble wrap and secure it with tape. Place blankets or towels around the wrapped TV for extra padding.
Proper Handling: Carry the TV upright, as laying it flat increases the pressure on the screen. Use caution when navigating corners or stairs.
Hire Professional Movers: Experienced movers have the necessary tools and expertise to handle delicate items like TVs with care. At Movin-N-Groovin, we utilize straps, bubble wrap, and moving blankets to ensure your television remains in the best condition possible during the move.
2. FURNITURE LEGS
Furniture legs are often overlooked when considering potential breakage during a move. Furniture legs, such as those on chairs and tables, protrude from the main body of the item, making them more susceptible to collisions and impacts during the moving process. If they are not adequately protected, furniture legs can snap or become damaged.
WHY THEY GET BROKEN
Impact and Pressure: Furniture legs often bear the brunt of the weight of the furniture. If a piece is not properly secured or protected, the legs can easily snap under pressure.
Dragging: Dragging furniture across floors or through doorways can damage the legs, especially if they are made of wood or a less sturdy material.
PREVENTION TIPS
Disassemble When Possible: If your furniture can be disassembled, such as tables and chairs, take them apart before the move. This reduces the risk of leg damage and makes transportation easier.
Protect with Padding: Wrap furniture legs in bubble wrap or furniture blankets to provide a cushion against impact.
Use Furniture Dollies: Invest in furniture dollies or sliders to move heavy items smoothly without putting undue pressure on the legs.
Secure Packing: Place disassembled furniture legs in a separate bag or container and label it clearly to avoid misplacement.
3. PARTICLE BOARD FURNITURE
Particle board furniture is lightweight and affordable, but it’s also prone to damage during moves. Particle board furniture, often found in budget-friendly options, is made from compressed wood particles and adhesive. While cost-effective, it’s more prone to damage because of its lower durability compared to solid wood. Particle board can crack, split, or break when subjected to pressure or rough handling.
WHY THEY GET BROKEN
Moisture Sensitivity: Particle board is highly sensitive to moisture. Exposure to rain or humidity during a move can cause it to swell and become structurally compromised.
Lack of Durability: Particle board furniture is not as robust as solid wood. The stress of a move, especially if it’s disassembled and reassembled, can weaken its joints and overall structure.
PREVENTION TIPS
Disassemble with Care: If possible, disassemble particle board furniture before the move. Label and organize all the parts to ensure correct reassembly.
Reinforcement: If possible, reinforce particle board furniture with additional screws or braces before the move to enhance its structural integrity.
Protect from Moisture: Keep particle board furniture dry and protected from rain or humidity. Cover it with plastic sheets or tarps during transit.
Protective Covering: Use furniture blankets or bubble wrap to cover particle board surfaces, reducing the chances of scratches and impacts.
Handle with Caution: Be gentle when lifting and carrying particle board pieces to avoid putting excess stress on the joints.
Consider Replacement: In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace particle board furniture at your new location rather than risking damage during the move.
4. LAMPS
Lamps are delicate and often have intricate parts, making them susceptible to breakage during a move. Lamps come in various shapes and sizes, with delicate components such as shades, bulbs, and bases. The fragile nature of these items makes them prone to breaking, especially if they are not properly packed or secured.
WHY THEY GET BROKEN
Fragile Materials: Lamps often contain delicate glass or ceramic components, like lampshades or bases, which can easily shatter on impact.
Improper Packaging: Inadequate cushioning or incorrect packaging can leave lamps vulnerable to bumps and vibrations during transportation.
PREVENTION TIPS
Disassemble if Possible: Remove light bulbs, lampshades and other fragile components. Wrap lampshades and light bulbs individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap and pack them separately.
Use Lamp Boxes: Invest in lamp boxes or similar packaging designed to protect lamps during moves. These boxes have partitions and cushioning to prevent damage.
Cushion Well: Even when using lamp boxes, add extra cushioning with bubble wrap, newspaper, or blankets to further protect the lamp.
Label Fragile: Clearly label boxes containing lamps as “fragile” to ensure that movers handle them with extra care.
5. GLASS AND MIRRORS
Glass and mirrors are inherently fragile and can shatter easily upon impact. During a move, vibrations, jostling, and collisions can cause them to break or crack.Here’s why and how to safeguard them:
WHY THEY GET BROKEN
Fragile Material: The unique combination of their brittleness, sensitivity to pressure, and potential for mishandling makes glass and mirrors some of the most fragile items to transport. Their smooth surfaces and crystalline structures make them more prone to cracking or shattering upon encountering even minor forces.
Inadequate Protection: Without proper padding and secure packaging, glass and mirrors are highly susceptible to damage. Inadequate protection, like insufficient cushioning or improper packaging, increases the risk of damage as it leaves these delicate surfaces exposed and vulnerable to any external pressures.
PREVENTION TIPS
Use Mirror Boxes: Invest in mirror boxes or specialized mirror packaging designed to encase the glass securely.
Pad Extensively: Pad glass and mirrors with bubble wrap, foam, or cardboard, leaving no exposed areas vulnerable to contact.
Packing Material: Use heavy-duty cardboard boxes designed for fragile items or mirrors. Place crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap at the bottom of the box for cushioning.
Label Fragile: Clearly mark boxes containing glass or mirrors as “fragile” to ensure they receive extra care.
Reinforcement: For larger glass items, tape an “X” with masking tape across the surface to minimize shattering if the glass does break.
Store Upright: If possible, store glass and mirrors upright rather than flat to reduce the risk of pressure damage.
Edge Protectors: Use edge protectors made of foam or cardboard to shield the edges of glass and mirrors from impacts.
Moving can be a daunting task, but by understanding why certain items are prone to breakage and taking proactive steps to protect them, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage during your move. Whether you’re moving on your own or hiring professional movers like Movin-N-Groovin, investing in proper packaging materials, disassembling where possible, and handling delicate items with care are key to ensuring your valuable possessions arrive at your new home intact. Remember, the extra effort and attention to detail in protecting your belongings will pay off in the long run by preserving their value and sentimental significance.