How to Protect Floors When Moving

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Moving day can wreak havoc on your floors. Heavy furniture and appliances get dropped or scooted, causing dents or scratches. Even if everything is carried safely, movers entering and leaving your home can leave dirt and scuffs. While some dirt is inevitable, scratches and dents don’t have to be. If you want to keep your floors safe, we can help. Here are some tips to add to your moving checklist for protecting floors when moving.

What Can Damage Your Floor During a Move?

Your floors see a lot of traffic during a move. People constantly come in and out of your home carrying heavy objects. All of this traffic can cause damage. The following are common culprits of floor damage during a move.

  • Dropped furniture. Heavy furniture can slip out of movers’ hands and hit your floor, causing scratches or dents.
  • Tight fits. When movers maneuver around tight corners or through doors, they may need to scoot furniture at weird angles. This can result in dents or scratches on your floor.
  • Shoes. Shoes can cause scuffs on your hardwood floor or bring in dirt, resulting in stains on your carpet.

Precautions for Any Flooring

Here are some tips for protecting all kinds of flooring when moving.

Use a Dolly

Dollies help you safely move furniture and heavy boxes and prevent drops that can cause floor damage. Make sure that your dolly has soft rubber wheels, as these are the safest option for your floors.

Wrap Furniture Legs and Sharp Edges

Use bubble wrap or moving blankets to wrap furniture legs and sharp edges. Not only is this good for protecting your floors when moving, but it can also protect your furniture and walls from bumps.

Take Measurements

Measure your doorways and furniture before you begin moving. This will help you avoid doorway jams and prevent floor damage by preparing the maneuvers you need to get your furniture out safely.

Provide Booties

Shoes can cause damage to flooring that’s easy to prevent. Use disposable shoe booties to avoid scuffs and keep dirt at a minimum.

Utilize Your Rugs

You can use old rugs, blankets, or towels as a floor covering for moving. Make sure to use old items you don’t plan to keep, as they’ll get dirty after hours of being walked on. Create a path with your rugs, blankets, or towels for movers to protect floors against dents or scuffs. 

Protecting Hard Surfaces

Hard flooring looks durable but can be susceptible to dents and scratches. Here are some tips to protect hardwood floors during a move.

Buy Ram Board

Ram board is a floor covering designed to protect floors during home renovations. It can also be used as a hardwood floor protector for moving. Ram board is easy to apply and remove and can be reused when you bring your items into your new home.  

Use Furniture Sliders

Floor sliders can be attached to the legs or bottom of your furniture. They make it easy to slide heavy furniture across your floor, so you don’t get scratches. 

Rosin Paper

Rosin paper is a common item used for protecting floors when moving. It can be found at most hardware stores and is one of the most affordable ways to provide a layer of protection for your floors while you move.

Floor Shield

Floor shields are some of the most effective floor protectors for moving. They’re thicker than rosin paper and self-adhering, making them easy to put down. Floor shields are also non-slip to keep your movers safe while transporting furniture in and out of your home.

Builder’s Paper or X-Board

You should use builder’s paper or x-board on floors with a more delicate finish. They offer similar protection as floor shields but are gentler on your floors.

Protecting Carpets

Even though carpet isn’t prone to dents and scratching like hardwood floors, it can still be damaged during a move. Here’s how to protect carpet when moving.

Carpet Masking Film 

Masking film easily binds to carpet and protects against dirt and spills. It’s also easy to remove and won’t leave any residue on your carpet.

Sheets 

You can lay sheets on your carpet for low-budget floor protection when moving. Sheets protect against dirt and stains caused by shoes. 

Additional Tips for Protecting Your Floors During Your Move

Consider the following tips if you’re looking for extra floor protection when moving.

Always Clean Your Floors First

Tracking in dirt is inevitable while loading and unloading. Before moving furniture, clean your floors, so dirt and debris don’t get ground into the carpet or stuck under coverings or tiles.

Don’t Forget to Cover the Stairs

Stairs can be damaged just like your other flooring. Follow the tips above to determine which type of covering will work best for the flooring on your stairs.

Use a Doormat

Place a mat in front of your door and kindly ask people to wipe their feet before re-entering your home.

Use Tape if Using Cardboard or Paper

If you use cardboard or paper, be sure to tape them down sufficiently with painter’s tape. The tape will prevent your floor covers from sliding around. This will keep your floors safer and help you avoid tripping hazards.

Split Your Moving Team Into Two Groups

If you have multiple people helping you move, consider splitting your team into outdoor and indoor crews. Have one team stay outside and move items between the house and truck and one group inside, transferring items to and from the doorway. Doing so will prevent tracking in too much dirt.

Start With a Plan

Before unloading your furniture, plan where things will go in each room. Be sure to communicate your plan with your moving team to prevent them from having to shift things around too much.

Be Prepared for Scratches

Even if you follow our tips to protect floors while moving, scratches can happen. If you have a minor scratch, you can fill it with a stain that matches your flooring. You can also use stain markers and blending pencils. Make sure to wipe away the excess stain, marker, or pencils before it dries.

Fill deeper scratches with a pre-colored latex wood filler. Use a putty knife to apply it, and level the surface with fine-grit sandpaper once it dries. Apply a coat of varnish to finish.

Contact a Trusted Moving Company

One of the best tips for protecting your floors when moving is to hire a professional moving company like White Glove Moving & Storage. We move your belongings with the utmost care to keep them and your home safe. Contact us today to learn more about how we can take the stress out of moving day.