6 Tips for Moving Your Pool Table to Another State
Although the idea of moving a heavy pool table can be intimidating, here are six tips to help you safely move your pool table to another state.
1. Disassemble Your Pool Table if Possible
Some billiard tables can be taken apart to make moving a little easier. Check your manufacturer’s instructions to see if this is an option for you. Remember to keep any screws you remove in a designated place, so they are at hand when you go to reconstruct your pool table. Remove the rails, then the pockets, and then the slates. Store the slates vertically during your move.
2. Cover and Protect the Felt Top
If you are moving your pool table without taking it apart first, make sure its top is covered and protected, as the felt on a pool table can be scratched easily. Use fitted sheets or a specialty cover to protect your pool table during your move. You should also avoid using the surface as a storage space for heavy boxes. During the move, these boxes could shift and slide, causing damage.
3. Avoid Damaging the Wooden Frame
Once the tabletop is protected, take steps to guard the wood frame. Other objects may bump and jostle your pool table while it is in transit, so you should take steps to avoid this damage. Using packing blankets and cording, then wrap the legs of your pool table. You should take especial care to protect any decorative wooden elements on your pool table's frame, as these are especially vulnerable to damage.
4. Pack Strategically
When choosing a moving van or truck, make sure that you measure your pool table before you decide on a size. You do not want to find out on moving day that your billiards table is too large to fit in your moving vehicle. Trying to force your pool table into a too small space can cause the frame to warp or crack. Make sure that you ask for the dimensions of the inside of your shipping container, as these will give you a more accurate estimate of your usable storage space.
5. Ask for Help and Use Proper Lifting Techniques
A standard pool table can weigh up to 900 pounds. Trying to lift such a heavy item without extra help is dangerous. Ask a friend or two to help you move your pool table, even if you are moving most of your other furniture on your own. You may need to use dollies to load the pool table into your moving van. You should also take some time to learn proper moving techniques so that you do not injure your back while moving heavy items during your move. Remember to lift with your legs, not with your back, and take plenty of rest breaks.
6. Remember to Treat Accessories with Care
You should also take care to pack your pool table accessories appropriately. Store balls, cues, and other pool table items together so that you can easily find them after your move.