How to Move a Pool Table

A pool table is such an incredibly fun thing to have in your home. But, things get way less fun when it comes to moving a pool table to another home. Pool tables are extremely heavy and can often weigh up to 1,000 pounds, so you’ll definitely need a few strong helpers. Besides being heavy, a pool table also requires disassembling and reassembling which can be a tedious job. The best option is always to let professional movers take care of it, such as specialized movers NYC, but DIY moving a pool table is also possible. Because it’s bulky and heavy, you’ll have to be extra careful when moving it. You’ll have to figure out a way how to do it. If you’re wondering how to move a pool table, we’ve got you covered. Carry on reading to find a step-by-step guide on how to move a pool table.

Get necessary supplies

Successful moving always includes packing and moving supplies − sometimes you’ll need packing materials or in this case important tools. The first thing you should get when moving a pool table is your toolbox – you’ll need a screwdriver, a power drill, a socket wrench, and a staple remover (you’ll use it for removing the table’s felt). You’ll also need moving blankets because they’re thick enough to provide good protection.

Arrange rental truck

When you’re moving such a big item like a pool table your car will not be enough. You’ll probably need to rent a moving truck. The size of a truck depends on the size of your table. Take measurements before you head to your local truck rental center. You’ll have no trouble finding a reliable rental moving company near you, as big rentals such as U-Haul or Penske have dozens of thousands of locations all over the U.S.

Get helpers

The next step is getting several helpers, five people if possible. Having five or at least four helpers makes it easier to lift and carry a heavy pool table. Ask your friends or family members to help you out. Make sure that all of you are properly dressed and protected. Old comfy clothes and closed-toe shoes like sturdy snickers. If you think that the layout of your home is too complicated or you can’t find that many helpers, don’t panic. You can hire moving labor and get helpers for a couple of hours only, or you can leave the entire moving process to specialized movers.

Make an exit strategy

Before you start moving a huge item such as a pool table through your home, go ahead and create a strategy. Take measurements of all the doorways and passes to check if you’ll be able to go through them with a table. You and your helpers should be able to go through it smoothly. There should be no obstructions on the way out, so move any pieces of furniture or décor that are potentially getting in your way. Remember to protect floors and cover any sharp edges before going through your home with a heavy pool table. Even with the best organization, an accident can happen anytime and you want to prevent it before it happens.

Disassemble the pool table

Now that you got helping hands and the necessary tools, you should start disassembling the table. You’ll notice six ball pockets and you’ll take them out by removing the staples that keep them in place – use a staple remover or a screwdriver depending on how the staples are attached. You should then proceed to use a socket wrench on the side rails and carefully remove each rail. After this is done, you’ll want to remove the felt by using a staple remover and do this with the utmost care not to damage the felt.

At this point, you should take your power drill and unscrew the pool table’s slates, and you’ll probably need all the helpers involved because slates are extremely heavy. The only thing left to do after this is to remove the legs from the main structure. It will be easier to this last step if you turn the table upside-down.

Don’t forget to separate each part while disassembling the table, and label it as soon as you separate it. If you don’t label all the parts of the table they can get mixed up and create confusion later on when it comes to reassembling.

Wrap all parts

Every part of the pool table should be well protected, and you can do so by wrapping it with moving blankets. Pay special attention to slates and once all the parts are properly wrapped, load them into the moving truck. Bumpy roads can cause shifting inside the truck and lead to damage, so try to drive as carefully as possible.

Reassemble the pool table

Reassembling can seem a bit confusing, but there’s no reason to panic. Follow all the steps that you took while disassembling it, but the opposite way, meaning: attach the legs to the main structure, then reattach the felt, follow by putting back rails, and eventually add the pockets where they belong. If this doesn’t go as planned or you can’t seem to make the felt as smooth, reach out to professionals.

If you don’t feel like going through all the hustle or don’t want to risk damaging your pool table, you can always hire professional Brooklyn movers. You would be sure that your belongings are in safe hands. Contact Rabbit Movers today to get a free moving quote.