4 Types of Items That Are Commonly Damaged During a Move

Whether it’s down the block or to an entirely different state, the process of moving into a new home always comes with a few risks. Certain items you take with you may be lost, and others might be packed in the wrong box. But it’s typically the worst-case scenario when some of your beloved possessions get broken in the transition. Fortunately, there are reasons why certain items tend to break over others, and knowing them could help set you up for future success. These are four types of items that are commonly damaged during a move and how you can help mitigate it.

Drinking Glasses and Flatware

It often seems like no matter how well you stack and pack glass tableware, they always still find a way to get broken. This is because glass has several different shattering points, and even the most thoroughly-packed boxes can still leave some of them exposed. So, when that parcel shifts or gets bumped, the chances are good that it’ll hit one of those points and break a glass. For this reason, one of the best strategies to use when packing glass items is to use as much material around, underneath, and between them as you can. Packing the box tightly so the items can’t move is key to limiting their contact with hard surfaces.

Lamps and Their Shades

Lamps and the shades that come with them are also something that tends to break while being shipped to your new home. Like glass tableware, these pieces of furniture can also be incredibly fragile and have a series of shattering points, depending on what it’s made from. However, what makes them so easy to break is their shape. Lamps come in a multitude of unique designs—meaning that there’s no one way to pack them. Therefore, it’s crucial that you use packing material in a way that accommodates its shape and keeps it protected.

Large Musical Instruments

Another type of item that is commonly damaged during a move are larger musical instruments. While small acoustic and wind instruments like guitars and flutes all come with their own carrying cases, large and heavy models like pianos don’t have such a luxury. This often leads them to be incorrectly secured in the moving van and susceptible to damage during the ride. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why pianos often need tuning after a move. Because of this, it’s crucial that you find a moving company that’s experienced with handling these items.

Electronic Equipment

Your electronic household equipment will need a bit of extra attention as well. Anything built with sensitive mechanical parts must be properly disconnected and emptied before being placed in their box. Otherwise, you risk something shaking loose during transport. It’s preferred that you pack the item back into the box it originally came with. However, if this isn’t possible, the next best thing is to find a container of similar size and tightly pack it with cushioning material.