No matter how careful you are when moving home, the chances of causing damage to floors, walls, or even ceilings are high.
Taking the time to protect your home from damage during your move could save you hundreds of pounds
It takes a millisecond to misjudge an angle or lose concentration, and you could easily end up with hundreds of pounds worth of damage to either the home you are moving out of or the home you are moving into.
When moving out of a rented property, a gouged wall could easily mean that you lose your deposit.
And any damage caused to a home that you are selling is going to mean you will have to spend time, effort, and money to put the damage right.
Imagine moving into a lovely new home and within the first hour, the carpet gets ruined. Not the best way to start your new life.
So in this week’s home moving blog, we look at protecting your home from damage during a move.
Wrap your furniture in blankets as your first line of defence when protecting your home from damage during your move
Before we look at how to protect specific areas and surfaces of your home during your move, there are some additional things that you can do that will help prevent any damage from occurring.
#1 Plan Your Route
Start by walking the route you will take to the removal van to ensure that the furniture you will be moving can easily be maneuvered in the available space.
Measure your furniture to ensure that it will fit through doorways, narrow halls, or into the lift. Remember to also measure the same at your new home.
Check for wall lamps and low-hanging ceiling lights. These may need to be removed to allow you to get the furniture through.
Clear any tripping hazards.
Sweep away any leaves or debris on paths to prevent slipping or tripping accidents.
#2 Dismantle Furniture
Remove shelves, drawers, and doors to make furniture lighter and easier to move.
#3 Blanket Wrap Furniture
Blanket wrap furniture so that should it make contact with a wall for example, then there will be a level of cushioning to help soften the blow.
You can also wrap the furniture in bubble wrap, old bedding or towels, or cardboard as an alternative to furniture blankets.
#4 Use Furniture Moving Equipment
Use furniture sliders, a furniture dolly, or lifting straps.
Not only will the items be easier to move, but it will be less tiring for those moving the furniture.
It is when you are getting tired that accidents are most likely to occur.
#5 Keep Boxes Small and Light
Trying to move large, heavy boxes is a recipe for disaster, so keep your boxes small and light.
#6 Take Your Time
Allow yourself plenty of time to move out of your old home and into your new one. If you can move over several days then it will be easier, safer, and less exhausting for you.
If that is not possible then schedule an early start so that there is no mad rush to vacate the home on moving day.
Take plenty of breaks and consume energy-giving snacks regularly.
Be especially careful to protect your new home as you move in.
It is normal to want to get everything unloaded and start your new life as quickly as possible, but it will be getting towards the end of a long day, you will be tired and possibly stressed.
These are the perfect conditions to cause a mishap and damage not only to your new home but to yourself.
#7 Get Help
The more friends and family that you can rally round to help you move the better, many hands make light work as they say.
By spreading the workload you won’t be as tired and are therefore less likely to cause any damage.
That said, just be mindful that friends and family are unlikely to be as careful as you when moving your precious things, so ensure that you take the time to protect your furniture and home surfaces before moving anything.
#8 Dress Appropriately
Avoid wearing clothes that are too loose and can flap about as they can easily get caught on door handles for example. Equally, avoid clothes that are too tight and will restrict your movement.
Wear shoes with a good grip on the sole and that give a degree of protection to your feet.
Wearing gloves will help prevent your hands from slipping and will give a certain amount of protection should you hit your knuckles on door frames for example.
#9 Be Ready for Moving Day
Have all the packing totally finished prior to moving day. If you are rushing about still packing on moving day then accidents are bound to happen.
And finally, make sure you are mentally and physically rested for moving day.
A good night’s sleep and a calm mind will make moving day so much safer, easier, and more enjoyable.
Take your time. Rushing will inevitably lead to accidents
As furniture and boxes are moved in and out of your home the corner edges of walls are one of the most likely places to get damaged.
So, what can you use to protect wall corners from damage during a home move?
For the ultimate protection, you could invest in corner guards, which you can easily purchase online, but the expense is often prohibitive, so here are some alternatives that offer a high degree of protection at a fraction of the cost.
#1 Bubble Wrap
You can make tubes of bubble wrap, several layers thick, and then tape them to the corners using masking tape. Masking tape is easy to remove and will not cause damage to the walls when you take it off.
#2 Cardboard
Wrap several layers of thick cardboard around the corners and affix them to the walls using masking tape.
#3 Blankets
Fold the blanket over to make a really good cushion and then tape to the corner using masking tape.
#4 Pool Noodles
Pool noodles or pipe lagging can be slipped onto the edges of the walls and secured in place with masking tape.
#5 Polystyrene
The polystyrene inserts from packing boxes can be taped to the corners too, although you will need to be careful that they do not restrict the space to get your things out too much.
If you have some leftover underlay from laminate flooring this will also work.
How to Protect Walls When Moving Home
A hung blanket would have prevented these gouges
The best way to prevent damage to your walls is to take extra care and take your time when moving furniture.
But in the real world, things don’t always go to plan and accidents happen, so you need to take some extra precautions.
How do you protect walls from damage during a home move?
It is worth measuring your furniture well before moving day to ensure that any large pieces will actually fit through narrow hallways and doorways.
Be sure to take into account turning angles and ceiling height, as well as wall lights and low hanging light fittings.
Don’t forget to do the same exercise for your new home, it would be a waste of time, effort, and money moving them to find that your furniture will not fit into your new home.
If you have wrapped your furniture well then this will prevent most scuff marks from occurring on your walls.
However, you can never be too careful, so hanging a drop cloth on your walls will add an extra layer of protection.
Cardboard, bubble wrap, and sheets of foam or neoprene can also be taped to the walls with masking tape to protect them from scuffs and marks.
7 Ways to Protect Hardwood Floors During a Home Move
Hardwood floors are beautiful but are also easy to damage, so knowing how to protect hardwood floors when moving home is essential.
Be sure to measure your furniture and the route they will take to the removal van. If you try to squeeze an item through a narrow doorway for example then this will increase the likelihood of you dropping the item and damaging your floor.
Thoroughly clean your floor before laying any protection to ensure no grit is trapped under it which could cause scratches to the hardwood flooring.
Safe handling of your furniture will help protect your floors. Use a shoulder dolly whenever possible so that you do not have to drag or slide furniture on your floors.
#1 Lay Doormats
Especially during a winter move, lay doormats inside and outside of the doors that the removal team will be using.
This will stop mud, water, salt, and small stones from being traipsed into your home.
Don’t forget to take them with you so that you can place them at the doors of your home as your things are being unloaded.
#2 Cardboard
This would seem an obvious choice of covering as you will likely have lots of spare cardboard laying around after the packing.
BUT. Laying cardboard on the floor is not a good idea. Firstly, your hardwood floors are smooth, so is cardboard, so the cardboard you lay down will slide around which could easily cause a tripping accident.
Secondly, if it is raining and the cardboard gets wet, it will soon disintegrate underfoot.
Thirdly, if the cardboard has print on it and it gets wet, that may transfer to your beautiful floor.
So, if at all possible avoid using cardboard to protect your hardwood floors.
#3 Shoe Booties
Although inconvenient to keep putting on and taking off again, shoe coverings are an easy way to help protect your hardwood floors from damage caused by debris on the soles of boots and shoes.
#4 Carpet Runners
As long as the runner has a non-slip backing, then these can be a good option, but they do have some drawbacks.
They will get soggy if it is raining, they may scrunch up creating a tripping hazard, and they can slide about if they are not secured to the floor.
So, if you plan on using carpet runners do so with extreme caution, they are not the best option unless you use the neoprene ones which are excellent.
#5 Ram Board
Ram Board is used by contractors to protect new floors whilst construction work is still taking place, so you know it is good.
It comes on a roll and is easy and quick to lay, as well as offering superb protection to your hardwood floors.
#6 Floor Sliders
Floor sliders fit under the corners or feet of furniture and appliances and are designed to allow you to easily slide those items over smooth surfaces.
They are easily available online or in DIY stores.
If you leave them in place after the move, they also make it a lot easier to slide furniture out when you are cleaning your new home.
#7 Plywood
For the ultimate hardwood floor protection, you could use plywood sheets. Obviously, this is an expensive option but will be cheaper than repairing a damaged hardwood floor.
Because this will effectively be laying a floor on top of a floor, should anything be dropped or dragged, then the plywood will be damaged, not your precious hardwood floor.
Lay sheets of plywood to create a path into each room and then when you have finished moving home they can be used for some DIY projects.
Note that plywood should never be used as a furniture slider as it will damage your flooring.
Good to know: Moving Home: Things That Could Go Wrong and How to Avoid Them. There are many scenarios that could ruin your moving day. We look at them and see how you could turn a potential catastrophe into a minor inconvenience.
7 Ways to Protect Laminate Floors When Moving Home
A shoulder dolly is the best way to lift furniture over your precious floors
Laminate flooring comes in various thicknesses with varying degrees of durability. There is also the problem that after time, and if not laid properly, the ends may lift creating a barely noticeable, but nonetheless dangerous hazard when moving furniture over them.
Ideally, you will want to lift furniture over laminate flooring, not slide it, as any of those slightly raised boards could cause a disaster.
Use a shoulder dolly whenever possible to move appliances or furniture over laminate floors. You can also use a furniture dolly with rubber wheels.
Additionally, you will want to lay a protective cover over your laminate flooring to prevent water, grit, and dirt from damaging it.
#1 Lay Door Mats
A doormat laid outside and inside of the doorways will help trap loose dirt and prevent water from being walked all through your home.
#2 Lay Ram Boards
Ram boards will offer your precious flooring some of the best protection.
Available on rolls from DIY stores or online, they are easy to lay and offer outstanding protection.
They are primarily used by tradesmen to protect floors during construction work, so they will definitely help protect your floor from scratches and scrapes.
#3 Lay Plastic Runners
Create pathways to each room using plastic runners. Ensure that they have a non-slip backing to prevent any tripping hazards.
Plastic runners are not such a good idea if you are using a furniture dolly as they may scrunch up and cause your trolley to tip over.
Neoprene is an excellent alternative to plastic runners and is quite cost-effective.
#4 Cardboard
Cardboard is rarely a good option to lay as hard floor protection. They can easily get sodden with water, any writing on the cardboard can transfer to the laminate floor, and they can slide around causing a tripping hazard, as well as small scratches to your flooring.
#5 Furniture Sliders
Furniture sliders make the moving of heavy and large pieces of furniture or appliances easy. However, as mentioned earlier, if you slide furniture over laminate flooring and there is a slightly raised edge you risk damaging the floor and the item you are moving.
#6 Lay Plywood Sheets
Whilst an expensive option, if you want to give your precious laminate floors the ultimate protection, then lay plywood sheets to create a second floor.
Any damage that may occur then occurs to the plywood, not your laminate.
#7 Shoe Coverings
Booties that cover footwear are an easy way to protect your laminate floor, although they can slow the moving process up with having to keep stopping to put them on and take them off.
Lift, don’t drag furniture to prevent floor damage
Tiles would appear to be extremely durable and scratch-resistant compared with laminate or wooden floors, but tiles can easily be scratched by grit on the sole of a shoe or by dragging heavy furniture over them.
And if you have light coloured tiles then they can easily get scuffed and dirty, so you will want to ensure your tile floors are protected during your home move.
#1 Plywood Paths
The ultimate floor protection, and unfortunately the most expensive, is to lay sheets of plywood to create a path between rooms.
Not only does plywood offer the best protection for your tiled floors but can then be used for any future DIY jobs.
#2 Ram Board Rolls
A more cost-effective solution is to use the same material that contractors use to protect flooring when they work.
Available in rolls online or from DIY stores, Ram Boards are reusable, so when you start work on your new home, you can use them again and again.
#3 Adhesive Runners
Rolls of plastic film are available online or from DIY stores that can be laid on your tiled floors to prevent scratches and scuffs.
They have adhesive strips so that they do not ride up and cause tripping hazards.
Neoprene is a good choice for those wanting an affordable floor covering that offers a high level of protection.
#4 Dirt Traps
Use doormats or dirt traps at the doorways that the removal team will be using. This will help not only stop dirt, salt, and grit from getting onto your tiled floors but will stop any water which may cause a slipping hazard.
#5 Use Furniture Sliders
Furniture sliders are pads that slip under the legs of appliances or furniture to allow you to slide them over smooth services.
Not only can you use them on moving day, but leave them in place, and it makes cleaning behind furniture far easier.
Furniture sliders are available online or at most DIY stores.
#6 Non-Slip Shoe Covers
Easy and cheap, shoe covers will help protect your tiles from scuffs and dirt.
They are, however, inconvenient to keep putting on and taking off and may slow the move down slightly.
Carpet is most likely to get dirty rather than suffer any damage from a dropped box or piece of furniture during your home move.
That said, there is always the risk that a leg or edge of furniture could dig into the carpet causing a tear, so take extreme care when moving appliances or furniture over carpet.
#1 Put Down Door Mats
Place doormats at all the entries and exits of your home to help trap dirt and mud from the removal teams’ shoes.
#2 Wear Booties
Although inconvenient to keep changing into, shoe booties will help keep your carpets clean.
#3 Lay Carpet Protection Film
Self-adhesive plastic or heavy-duty film comes in rolls and is available online or from DIY stores.
Ensure that you get the type that adheres to the carpet by non-marking tape or has a non-slip backing on it to prevent any tripping accidents.
#4 Furniture Pads or Sliders
By slipping furniture pads or sliders under the legs or feet of your furniture or appliances you can easily slide them over the carpet.
They are also useful to move furniture so that you can clean beneath and behind them.
#5 Plywood Paths
To give your carpets the best protection during your home move, lay a path of plywood sheets.
Not only will this stop dirt and debris but also will prevent any damage being caused to your carpet.
You may also like to learn How to Move Heavy and Large Furniture. This guide shows you the best lifting techniques, tips for moving heavy furniture, and the best furniture moving equipment to use.
9 Ways to Protect Wooden Stairs During a Home Move
Stairs pose as much as a hazard to you as moving furniture does to them.
You will see many guides recommending folding old blankets or towels and taping them over your wooden stair treads.
From experience, I would avoid taping anything such as cardboard, bubble wrap, blankets, or pads over stairs as they will invariably cause an accident unless very well secured.
The best way to protect your wooden stairs is to ensure that the furniture you are moving down them is:
#1 Properly wrapped in moving blankets
#2 That the furniture is dismantled as much as possible
#3 That you take extreme care moving up and down stairs
#4 Use a rubber-wheeled stair climber which is available from tool-hire shops
#5 Ensure that you have measured the stairs and the furniture to ensure that it is physically possible to move the item safely in the space you have.
#6 That whoever is moving the furniture knows exactly how to traverse stairs properly with heavy or awkward pieces of furniture.
You can protect your wooden stairs from dirt and grit by:
#1 Placing doormats at the entry and exit points of your home to stop dirt and grit from being walked into your home.
#2 Provide overboots for your removal team.
#3 Place non-slip, self-adhesive plastic runners on the stairs. They are purpose-made to adhere to wood and when removed leaves no residue. They also have non-slip surfaces so that even when wet they provide a good grip and prevent slipping accidents.
6 Ways to Protect Carpeted Stairs When Moving Home
That’s not going to be easy nor cheap to clean
As your stair treads themselves already have a layer of protective padding because of the carpet, your main concern is going to the carpet getting dirty.
However, before you attempt to move anything down a carpeted stairway, ensure that the carpet is not loose on any tread as this could cause a catastrophic accident.
Secure any loose carpet with tack nails to ensure that there is no hazard that could cause a slip or fall.
Then follow these tips to keep your movers and carpeted stairs safe:
#1 Dismantle as much of the furniture you are moving as possible to make them easier to handle.
#2 Wrap all the furniture pieces in moving blankets and secure them with tape.
#3 Ensure that there are no tripping hazards on the stairs
#4 Ensure the furniture will actually move through the available space you have
#5 Consider using a rubber-wheeled stair climbing dolly to move the furniture downs steps
#6 Lay a non-slip, self-adhesive carpet protection film over each stair tread.
You may also like to read: How to Survive Moving Day in which you will find some tips to help get you through what can be an extremely stressful day.
How to Protect Banisters and Handrails When Moving Home
Your handrails and banisters are the most likely parts of your stairs to be damaged during your home move.
The most common damage caused is scrapes and scratches, so the emphasis should be on wrapping the banisters and handrails with padding.
Ensuring that the items being moved are blanket wrapped and that there is sufficient space to move the item down the stairs will also prevent any damage.
You could wrap your banisters and handrails with:
#1 Bubble Wrap
#2 Old towels and blankets
#3 Cardboard
#4 Moving blankets
#5 Pool noodles
#6 Sheets of foam
Secure the covering with packing tape to ensure that they do not come off when they are inevitably rubbed against during the move. Take care however not to get any of the tape on bare wood or paint as it will cause damage when you try to take the tape off.
5 Ways to Protect Doors During a Home Move
By using smaller packing boxes you will minimise the risk of damage to your home
Doors are likely to get gouged and scraped as things are moved in and out of the home.
So here are some top tips for the best way to protect doors during a home move:
#1 Measure the furniture to ensure that it will fit through the door
#2 Dismantle as much of the piece of furniture as possible.
#3 Thoroughly wrap the items being moved in furniture blankets
#4 Use only small or medium-sized moving boxes as they are easier to handle
#5 Removing the doors will offer the ultimate protection
How to Protect Ceilings During a Home Move
Damage may occur to your ceilings if they are vaulted, if you are moving tall pieces of furniture, or if you have low-fitting lights or ceiling fans.
It is not really practical to pad your ceilings, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent any damage to them.
#1 Remove low hanging ceiling fitments like pendant lights and fans
#2 Dismantle furniture so that it is smaller and easier to handle
#3 Wrap furniture in blankets secured with tape, paying special attention to corners and legs
#4 Have a person guiding those moving the furniture so that they can warn when furniture is close to walls or ceilings
#5 Pack things in small to medium-sized boxes as they are easier to handle and maneuver
You might like to read How to Pack Fragile Items for a Home Move in which we offer a step-by-step guide to giving your fragile possessions the best protection during your home move.
Protecting Your Home From Damage During a Move
Hire a full-service removal company to save yourself the expense and time of protecting your home from damage
As you can see, there is an awful lot of time and expense involved in protecting your home during a move.
Take into account the time and effort you will need to source these protective materials, and the time it will take to prepare your home for moving both out of your old home and into the new place.
It is another job and expense to add to the list of things that you have to do when you move home yourself.
And if the worse were to happen, and your home did get damaged, then you will be footing the bill.
The easy alternative of course is to hire a professional full-service removal company who will provide and fit all the protective pads and covers.
They will also lift, rather than drag your furniture, they will have the proper lifting equipment and know exactly how to maneuver your furniture without causing any damage.
And of course, in the unlikely event that a wall does get damaged, it is the removal company who will be responsible for any repairs that are needed.
When you consider all the hassle, time, and effort that moving home by yourself causes, you soon realise why most people hire removal companies to help them move home.
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