How to Handle Fragile Items During a Move: Expert Tips from Professional Movers
Moving is exciting but often overwhelming, especially when packing and moving fragile items. No matter whether they are heirlooms passed down for generations, delicate artwork, or expensive electronics – these priceless items must be treated specially in order to arrive safely to your new home. Not only will fragile items require proper handling but also the right materials, techniques, and knowledge.
To help you navigate this, we have gathered expert tips from professional movers in Dubai to ensure your fragile belongings are moved without a hitch.
Plan Ahead Well
One of the most important tips you will get from professional movers is to prepare ahead of time. Rushed moves often get their things packed in a haphazard packing, increasing the odds that fragile items will get crushed. Here’s how to start:
Fragile Items Inventories: The fragile items to include glass, ceramics, mirrors, artworks and electronic equipment all have to be inventories before packing. This will ensure that you keep track of your items and not miss out or any valuable things during the process.
Gather High-Quality Packing Materials: Investing in high-quality materials is essential. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam sheets, and sturdy boxes in a range of sizes may be investments. Many moving companies in Dubai recommend specialized boxes like dish packs with dividers for kitchenware categories and wardrobe boxes for delicate clothing pieces. Reinforced cardboard boxes have built-in strength and protection.
Label Boxes Clearly: ensure each box that contains fragile items is labelled clearly with words like “Fragile” and “Handle with Care”. Also, you can specify which side should remain up to prevent mishandling.
By planning ahead, you can save from the last-minute rush. This is one of the common errors, which occurs when one is in a hurry during the move.
Use the Right Packing Techniques
The proper way of packing is the key to moving fragile items intact. The right kind of packing method depends on what fragile item it is, according to professionals’ ion moving. Here are some really important techniques:
Wrap Items Individually: Fragile items must be wrapped individually using bubble wrap, or soft materials like towels and linens. This helps wrap them in a manner that creates a buffer preventing items from hitting each other inside the box. The padding, especially for glassware and ceramics, should be handled with care.
Double Box for Extra Protection: For extra fragile items, double-boxing is a great solution. Wrap the item, then put it in a smaller inner box and place this in another larger box filled with packing peanuts or foam.
Fill Gaps with Packing Materials: There should not be a single empty space in the boxes. Fill every gap with peanuts foam, crumpled paper, or bubble foams to prevent the items from shifting during the transport.
Taping for Safety: The boxes should be sealed with strong packing tape. Professional movers usually apply a second strip along the bottom of the box for added security against some unexpected opening during the transit.
Use Dividers for Glassware: If you are moving bulky glassware, then dividers used inside boxes are truly a savior. This prevents individual pieces from hitting each other and therefore cause minimum damage to them.
Handle Electronics with Care
Electronics are among the most fragile and expensive items you will move. From televisions to computers, gaming systems to sound equipment, the list is vast. Such items, for sure, need special care. Here is how you can protect electronics:
Use Original Packing: When you can, pack it in the original packaging or where your electronics are found. Custom-fit boxes and special padding are designed to make sure that the item is transported safely.
Backup Your Data: For computers and other data storage devices, make a backup copy of all imported files before you pack them. Accidents can happen, and it is better to be safe than sorry later.
Remove Batteries: If you have an electronic device with batteries, pull them out before you pack in order to avoid leakage or damage during the transfer process.
Wrap Cords Separately: Unhook all cables and wrap them separately to avoid tangling or damaging. Label each cord to make reassembling easier once you are settled in your new house.
Hire Professional Movers in Dubai
If you are moving within or to Dubai, hiring professional movers in Dubai is the best option ensuring the safe handling of your fragile items. While hiring may seem expensive compared to do-it-yourself moves, taking the risk of damaging precious belongings will eventually cost you dearly. Professional movers in Dubai come equipped with the experience, tools and packing materials needed for the job.
The best movers in Dubai like Pack2go are not only highly skilled in handling delicate items but also have the options to offer insurance options to cover potential damages. This peace of mind is invaluable, especially when dealing with high-value or sentimental items. Whenever you choose a mover, ensure that they are licensed and have an insurance package. For this purpose, before finalizing your choice, you may seek reviews or ask for recommendations so you can identify the best among them.
Special Care for Artworks and Mirrors
Artworks, mirrors, and other fragile ornaments are so particular during a move. Here are some expert tips on how to take care of them:
Use Corner Protectors: For picture frames and mirrors, use corner protectors to safeguard the vulnerable edges from bumps and drops.
Wrap in Glassine Paper: For objects that may be sensitive to moisture or dust, wrap it in glassine paper before adding the bubble wrap. This is an archival-quality paper used by museums and galleries to protect valuable pieces.
Custom Crating: For the particularly valuable or large pieces, professional movers may recommend custom crating. In building a crate around it using wood, that is as perfect a protection as you can get.
Store Upright: Do not lie them flat, instead store the mirrors and big frames of art pieces vertically. Since they are flat for storage, the chances of cracking or breaking them are high.
Pack Lamps and Lampshades Separately
Lamps and lampshades are often left out of the fragile list because of their unusual shape and multiple material uses; however, they are susceptible to damage during a move. Here’s how you can save them:
Remove the Bulbs: Always take out the bulbs for lamps before packing. Wrap each bulb and pack in a single box with appropriate cushioning.
Separate the Lampshade: Since the lampshades must be packed away from the base, opt for a box large enough to accommodate the lampshade without bending or squeezing it. Wrap soft tissue paper around the lampshade to protect it against scratches or dents.
Know How to Pack Your Kitchen
Kitchens are full of fragile items, such as glasses, plates and appliances. Packing the kitchen takes extra time and care.
Use Dish Boxes: Dish boxes are a must for your kitchenware. These are thick cardboard boxes that have partitions that will secure in place your plates, bowls and cups.
Wrap Each Dish Individually: Even if you use the dish boxes, each item must be covered individually. Plates must be packed standing, as a vertical position reduces chances for cracking at the rim.
Secure Small Appliances: Pack all the small appliances like blenders, coffee makers, etc., then remove their removable parts and pack them separately. Use great stuffing in case any sensitive component gets damaged.
Insurance for Fragile Items
Accidents can always happen, even when everything is prepared. This is why most professional movers would definitely recommend moving insurance, especially when moving delicate or valuable items. Most of the best movers UAE will be offering insurance options, but third-party providers of moving insurance can also be considered.
There are different types of moving insurances available:
- Basic Carrier Liability: This is basic coverage and is often included in the cost of the move. However, this will only cover a small percentage of the value of an item.
- Full Value Protection: This type of insurance will repair or replace the damaged items at their full value.
Be certain to read the fine print on any insurance policy so you know exactly what’s covered and under what circumstances.
Unpacking
And awaits you- the big unpacking of fragile items – as you settle into your new home. This time, be sure to do it safely.
Take Your Time: Don’t rush the unpacking process, especially for fragile items. Remove one item at a time and unwrap them with utmost care.
Check for Damage: Now is the right time to check the items have some form of damage. Take pictures if you see any issue, especially if you have insured the shipment.
Start with Essential Items: Unpack first the essential items like kitchen utensils and electronic so that you can easily get everything ready in your new home. Leave the larger or more fragile items, like artwork, for later.
Conclusion
If you take advantage of some moving expert tips from professional movers in Dubai and take your time to plan carefully, pack properly, and transport with proper care, everything arrives at your new home, which is necessary. Take the best mover in Dubai to handle your most valuable and delicate possessions during a local or international move. With the right strategies and professional assistance, fragile items are going to be safe during the whole moving process.