Although newer flat screen TVs are not as bulky as TVs from back in the day, moving your TV does not come without risks. If you are preparing to move and wondering how to pack a TV for moving, follow these useful tips that will make your work quick and easy and ensure that your treasured piece of technology reaches your new home safely.
Preparations before packing a TV
Before you pack your TV set, follow these steps:
- Unplug the cords and wires : The first step before packing a TV is to unplug the cords and cables from the power supply. Also, you can take a picture or use colorful stickers to remember which wires connect to which inputs, so nothing goes wrong when you re-install it after your move.
- Remove the TV from the wall / stand : Once you have removed the cords, dismount the flat screen from the wall or stand. If you just have a TV stand or entertainment unit, removing the TV is a breeze. But if you are taking it off a wall mount, make sure to check the locking mechanism before removal, and maybe ask a friend for assistance in lifting the device.
- Obtain the packing supplies : Since a large screen or a flat screen is an expensive commodity, you can't afford any risks. So, don't compromise on the quality of packing supplies to protect your TV since buying a new one or paying for a repair will cost a lot more. Here are some important supplies required packing flat screen tv:
- Packing tape
- TV box
- Packing blankets/foam padding
- Bubble wrap
- Bungee cord
- Permanent marker
- Moving dolly
Packing a flat screen TV for moving
To pack your flat-screen TV, make sure it is properly protected and all the hardware is kept together so you don't lose anything during the move. Here's how to pack a flat screen tv for moving is explained below:
- Use the original box
If you are packing a flat screen TV, the best method is to use the original box that it came in. As long as the box and original foam padding inserts are durable, your TV will be perfectly protected during the move.
- If you have the box your TV came in but not the padding inside, you can improvise the cushioning by using packing blankets or foam to wrap the screen. After that, you can wrap a few layers of bubble wrap around it for additional protection. Note: Avoid placing the bubble wrap directly on the screen as the air pockets could leave behind unsightly marks.
- Secure the wrapping with packing tape or bungee cord around the sides, top, and bottom of the TV.
- Tape the cords to the back of the set to keep them from getting tangled. Pack the additional cords (if any) in a small box separately.
- Use flat-screen TV boxes
If you don't have the original box, you can buy specially designed tv packing boxes for moving, available on Movers.com. These boxes are equipped with a double layer of cardboard on each wall for heavy-duty protection. The box can be bought separately or as part of a complete kit.
Apart from the heavy-duty double-walled boxes, the kit also contains corrugated support strips with foam padding. These strips are placed along the edges of the TV to provide shock protection and to prevent the device from shifting around inside the box during the move.
Follow the below steps for packing tv for moving.
- Wrap TV using foam padding or moving blankets : Use the foam padding to protect the edges of the television on all four sides. If you don't have the padding, use moving blankets to cover the flat screen followed by a few layers of bubble wrap for additional protection. Secure the wrapping with tape or shrink-wrap to keep it in place.
- Secure the TV in the box : Once the device is completely padded and wrapped, slide it inside the smaller half of the double-walled box while in an upright position. Then slide the other half of the box on and secure both sides in place.
- Fill any empty space with bubble wrap or crumbled newspaper inside the box to make sure that the TV not to rattle around during transit.
- Mark and label the box : Once the TV is packed, use the tape to secure the box from all sides - especially the bottom to prevent the television from falling through. Lastly, label the box "Fragile" and "This Side Up" on all sides to indicate the direction you want the box to be carried and set down.
How to move a TV safely
Now that the TV is securely packed up and ready to withstand jostling in transit, you're ready to load it onto the truck. Even though the TV is covered in multiple layers of packing materials, you still need to be careful while lifting and moving the TV around since dropping it or banging it against something else can cause serious damage.
Since every television set is designed differently there is no one definitive way of how you should move and load a TV. However, these general tips can still be useful:
- Always make sure that you have help : If you're moving a big-screen TV that exceeds 55 inches, you're probably going to need help carrying it. While it might not weigh too much for you, the sheer size will make maneuvering it cumbersome. So, get at least one other person to help you.
- The bigger the TV, the more difficult it will be to handle : Although the newer TV models aren't as bulky as they used to be, they're still pretty difficult to handle, especially the bigger ones. There is rarely a good place for a person to get a good grip when carrying a TV, and if it is wrapped tightly in blankets and moving pads, then it could be even harder to handle. The best way to move it is to support the device from underneath while making sure not to put too much pressure on the screen itself.
- Use a dolly : For the uninitiated, a dolly is a device with wheels that allows you to move large objects that you wouldn't normally be able to carry or move by hand. If the move is particularly difficult - for example, if you have to cover a long distance from the front door to the moving truck or if you have to walk down stairs - then renting a dolly would be the smartest thing to do to make maneuvering the TV easy and safe.
- Be careful when placing the TV onto the truck : Once you've carried the TV out of the house and it's ready to be loaded onto the truck, make sure to place it in a spot on the truck where it won't easily be thrown around during transit. Avoid placing it too close to any sharp edges or corners that can potentially be knocked into the TV. Also, don't keep it on top of or underneath another item where it can either fall off or have something fall onto it. The best place to put the TV is towards the back of the truck or at the front of the truck where it will be protected on all sides.