How To Pack A Flat Screen TV For Moving
The biggest, and most exhausting, part of moving is packing all of your belongings up and transporting them from Point A to Point B. This part of the process can quickly cause a headache, especially if you have larger or bulkier items that you are planning to take with you. Of all the things that most people put on their packing checklist, flat-screen televisions are among the items that are most difficult to move. Yes, transporting a flat-screen TV isn’t always an intuitive process, nor is it one you want to mess up — today’s high-definition can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, and repairs typically aren’t cheap. Make one mistake in the packing or transporting of your TV and you are faced with yet another moving expense.
While there is nothing inherently complicated about moving a flat-screen TV, it is the logistics that make the task a challenge. Flat-screen TVs are very delicate and require care and precautionary measures if you want to avoid causing any accidental damage. At Doorage, we provide homeowners with safe and secure moving solutions that don’t require working with traditional moving companies. We’re all about making moving easier, and in this blog, we’ll share some tips that will help you transport your flat-screen TV safely and avoid any problems.
How to Pack a TV for Moving
Compared to older, box televisions, newer TVs seem like a piece of cake to move. However, flat-screen TVs can just as easily be dropped, scratched, or damaged during the moving process. For the most support and protection, you’re going to want to have a box to put your TV in. If you still have the original box your TV came in, great! But if you don’t, you’re probably wondering how to move a flat-screen TV without a box. In most cases, you’ll be able to buy a specialty box for your flat screen — just make sure you get the right size! Once you have a TV moving box, follow these steps to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Step #1: Take Pictures of Your Set-Up
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! Before you start yanking cords out from behind the TV, take pictures of how things are currently set up. In addition to your TV, having a sound system, gaming system, DVD player, and other electronics creates a mess of cords. If you don’t document your current setup in some way, you could forget what goes where when you are ready to set your TV up at your new place. It doesn’t take long, simply use your phone and take pictures of the back of your TV as well as any other related electronics so that you know where the wires and cables were connected.
Step #2: Unplug All Power Cords and Cables
Once you have enough pictures, you can start unplugging and organizing any external cords. In addition to the power cord, you may have a bunch of other cables that you’ll want to keep tabs on. Labeling the cords and cables using masking tape and a marker can help you save time and avoid headaches when trying to set everything back up exactly the way it was. It also is helpful to keep these cords and cables secure in ziplock bags so they are less susceptible to getting damaged, lost, or tangled.
Step #3: Take the Time to Dust and Clean Your TV
While it may seem like a small, tedious chore, taking the time to dust and clean your TV before packing it up is essential. By removing any visible dust and debris, you’ll be helping ensure that scratches and other damages don’t occur during the moving process. There is nothing worse than taking extra caution only to find a large scratch on your TV due to a piece of debris. Inspect your TV and remove any visible dust or debris with a duster or a cloth and a mild cleaning agent designed for electronics.
Step #4: Wrap It Up
For extra padding, you can always wrap your TV with one or two blankets, depending on the size of the blankets and your TV. This will help protect the screen from scratches and other damages that could be caused by movers or packing material. Blankets made specifically for moving are available, but you can always use blankets that you have. Additionally, you could wrap your TV with bubble wrap. Whichever method you choose, make sure that the entire front of the TV is covered to fully protect the screen.
Step #5: Pack It Up
Once your TV is wrapped, gently place it inside of the box you have ready. Make sure to ease it in slowly rather than just letting it drop down to the bottom. If you notice any gaps that could potentially allow the TV to shift during the move, make sure to fill them with padding (t-shirts or dishtowels work great!). Once it’s in the box, tape the box shut and carefully load it into the back of your vehicle or on the moving truck. If you are using door-to-door moving services like those offered at Doorage, you can pack your TV in the durable, eco-friendly moving containers. Many people wonder if you can lay a flat-screen tv down to move it and the answer is simply no — this can be a recipe for damage. Your best bet is to keep the TV propped up during the move, instead of laying it down.
By following these steps, you should now know how to move a flat-screen TV by yourself. Keep in mind, TVs are expensive and if you are having second thought about moving it on your own, you may want to consider seeking professional moving solutions.
Rather than relying on a professional mover, consider using the safe, secure, and affordable door-to-door moving services offered by Doorage. We provide instant online moving estimates and offer solutions that eliminate the hidden fees and headaches that are typically associated with moving.