How to move a pool table to Florida

Moving to a new home? Those planning to pack their old pool table may need additional help. In fact, if you need to move a pool table to Florida, you should even consider hiring long distance movers Orlando to do the job. What for? Because moving the pool table is no joke. A billiard table is not only one of the heaviest items a person can have. But it also requires a long and tedious process of disassembling when moving. In this article, we will give you some advice on doing the right way.

Pool tables can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Their bulkiness and weight make them especially difficult to move. For these reasons, it is especially important to get as much help as possible when moving the pool table. Despite the fact that we strongly recommend hiring professional pool table movers FL to perform all aspects of disassembling, moving and reassembling the pool table, we know that this may not be possible for everyone. If hiring movers doesn’t fit in your budget, you can move the pool table with the help of strong friends.

Here’s how to move a pool table to Florida without professionals

Find suitable moving materials

First things first: if you plan to move the pool table without professionals, start collecting your supplies now. You will need a drill, screwdriver, socket wrench and many thick moving blankets for protection. Also, you will need a staple remover to remove the pool table felt.

Extra tip: The last thing you want to do is to lose or mix up the bits and parts of the pool table along the way, so make sure you check everything. We suggest having a lot of bags or boxes with labels in which you can put screws and parts.

Rent a moving truck

Unfortunately, your minivan and sedan will not cut it when it comes to moving the pool table. The standard sizes for a pool table are 7 feet, 8 feet, 8.5 feet and 9 feet in length. Depending on the size of your pool table, you will probably need to rent a pick-up or van in a reliable truck rental center. Fortunately, there are many truck rental companies that you can choose from when moving your pool table.

Get as many helpers as possible

After stockpiles are collected, it is time to find some very strong helpers to help with the move. We recommend involving at least four to five friends or family members to help. Make sure everyone wears suitable moving clothing, including a pair of sturdy sneakers. If moving is especially difficult, with narrow doorways or steep stairs, then we recommend hiring specialized residential movers Florida to manage the project.

Measure doorways, stairs and hallways

It is always useful to measure any doorways, stairs or corridors through which the item must pass in advance. In this way, you can assess how easy it will be to maneuver the pool table and its various parts in your home. Also, be sure to open the doors and properly protect floors and walls before starting the moving process. We always recommend covering any sharp edges with childproof bumpers or thick towels before moving heavy objects around the house.

Disassemble the pool table

You have gathered your tools and friends to move a pool table to Florida, and, finally, you are ready to disassemble the pool table. As with disassembling the furniture, you need to be very careful. First, remove the six ball pockets of the table by taking out the staples that hold them in place. If the pockets of your pool table are screwed into place, you will need to remove them with a screwdriver instead of a staple remover. Then tackle the side rails of the pool table with the socket wrench. After the bolts are loosened, carefully remove each side rail. Store all bolts and screws separately and make sure each part is clearly marked.

Now it’s time to remove the felt from the pool table. To successfully remove stitched felt, use a staple remover and carefully remove each staple. Try your best not to tear or damage the felt in the removing process. After the felt has been safely removed and packed, it’s time to conquer the slates of your pool table. A fair warning here: these slates are heavy, to say the least. For reference, a one-piece slate typically weighs about 450 pounds, reports dkbilliards.com. Thus, you will need all the manpower that you can get to take the slates of your pool table off without breaking your back.

After you remove the pockets, rails and slates, you can go to the main body and legs of the pool table. All you need to do is remove each leg of the pool table from the main structure. To make this easier, you may need to flip the bulk of the pool table sideways or upside down.

Protect all parts and load the truck

Be sure to carefully wrap each part of the pool table in moving blankets before you move a pool table to Florida. When loading a billiard table into a truck, it is especially important to protect the slate, as it is very heavy and delicate. After you load the pool table into the truck, we recommend that you drive carefully to prevent objects from moving or breaking during transport.

Reassemble a pool table

Assembling a pool table in your new home can be a daunting task, but, in principle, you will assemble it back, as when you were taking it apart. With the help of friends, attach the legs to the main structure again. Once the legs are attached again, add slate and felt on top. Then attach all the rails and pockets. Of course, adding felt to the pool table and keeping it completely smooth at the same time can be difficult, and it is usually best to leave it to professionals.

Prefer to hire professional movers?

If moving your pool table sounds a little more intimidating and stunning than you originally thought, it might be a good idea to hire professionals to move a pool table to Florida. By choosing the Cross Country Moving Group, you can be sure that your pool table is in good hands.