It is usually hard to protect floors when moving as it requires some planning to move heavy items. Moving to a new home can be both exciting and stressful. One of the challenges during this process is ensuring that your floors remain undamaged. Whether your floors are hardwood, tile, or carpet, they are susceptible to scratches, dents, and other forms of damage during a move.Â
In a city like Singapore, where many people live in high-rise apartments, protecting your floors becomes even more critical due to the heavy furniture and appliances being moved. Here are seven tips to help you protect your floors during your move.
How to Protect Floors When Moving in Singapore?
Switching between high-rise buildings and moving to a new house is always a task that asks so much from the homeowners. But the major challenge during a move is to protect floors during move. It is so because you have to drag heavy furniture and home appliances that can damage the floor. A floor, once damaged, reduces the cost of the apartment significantly.Â
Therefore, it is essential to protect floors during moving. LS House Movers Singapore comes forward with some practical tips apart from their professional moving services like room moving, office moving, house moving, mattress moving, etc. Here are the essentials you need to do to protect floors when moving. Â
1. Plan Ahead
The first step in protecting your floors is to plan. Before the movers arrive, take a thorough look at your current flooring. Identify areas that are most vulnerable to damage, such as hallways, doorways, and corners. Make a list of all the furniture and appliances that will be moved and consider their size and weight. By understanding the layout and potential challenges, you can develop a strategy to protect your floors effectively.
Additionally, ensure that you have all the necessary materials ready before the moving day. This includes floor protectors, moving blankets, and cardboard sheets. Having everything prepared in advance will make the process smoother and reduce the risk of accidental damage.
2. Use Floor Protectors
Floor protectors are essential when moving heavy furniture. These can be in the form of felt pads, sliders, or even old towels and blankets. Attach felt pads to the legs of your furniture to prevent scratches when moving them across hardwood or tiled floors. For heavier items, consider using sliders or furniture glides. These devices make it easier to move heavy furniture without lifting them, thus reducing the risk of dropping and damaging the floor.
For carpets, use plastic protectors to shield them from dirt and stains. These protectors are especially useful in high-traffic areas and will help keep your carpets clean throughout the moving process.
3. Lay Down Protective Coverings
Before you start moving any items, lay down protective coverings on your floors. For hardwood and tile floors, consider using thick moving blankets or rugs to cushion the surface. You can also use cardboard sheets, which are economical and effective at providing an extra layer of protection.
If you have carpets, plastic sheeting is a great option. It’s easy to roll out and can cover large areas quickly. Tape down the edges of the plastic sheeting to ensure it stays in place during the move. This will protect your carpets from dirt, spills, and tears.
4. Use the Right Moving Equipment
Using the right moving equipment is crucial to avoid floor damage. Dollies and hand trucks are excellent tools for moving heavy items. They distribute weight evenly and reduce the risk of dropping or dragging furniture. When using a dolly, make sure it has rubber wheels, as metal or hard plastic wheels can scratch and dent floors.
For appliances and large furniture, consider using lifting straps. These straps allow you to carry heavy items more securely and with better control, reducing the likelihood of accidents that could damage the floors.
5. Lift, Don’t Drag
One of the most common causes of floor damage during a move is dragging furniture. Dragging can cause scratches and scuffs in hardwood and tile floors. For carpeted areas, dragging can pull and tear the fibers, leading to permanent damage.
Whenever possible, lift furniture and appliances instead of dragging them. If lifting is not feasible, use sliders or moving blankets to slide items across the floor gently. Make sure to have enough people to help with lifting to ensure safety and prevent accidents.
6. Protect Doorways and Corners
Doorways and corners are high-risk areas for floor damage. When moving large furniture through doorways, it’s easy to misjudge the space and cause scratches or dents. To prevent this, cover the door frames and corners with padding. Moving blankets, foam padding, or even bubble wrap can be used to cushion these areas.
Moreover, consider using corner protectors, which are specifically designed to shield edges and corners from impact. These protectors can be easily attached and removed without damaging the walls or door frames.
7. Clean Floors Before and After the Move
Keeping your floors clean before and after the move can significantly reduce the risk of damage. Dirt and debris on the floor can cause scratches when furniture is moved across it. Sweep and mop your floors thoroughly before the movers arrive to ensure they are free from grit and dust.
Conclusion
It requires careful planning and the right materials to protect floors when moving. By following these seven tips, you can ensure that your floors remain in pristine condition throughout the moving process. Moreover, protect high-risk areas like doorways and corners, and keep your floors clean before and after the move. With these precautions, you can focus on settling into your new home without the worry of costly floor repairs.