How to Protect Your Stairs When Moving

When to hire professional movers

The biggest factor in deciding whether to hire movers or do it yourself is whether the cost outweighs the risk of injury or potential damage to your home, including your staircase.

Professional movers have experience moving heavy furniture through tight spaces and bring specialized equipment to reduce the risk of damage.

They use plywood sheets, carpet protectors, corner guards and moving blankets to prevent damage to stairways. They also use ramps, dollies, carrying straps and floor runners to create stable, nonslip paths for heavy items.

Prevent stair damage before it happens

Ask movers what protective materials they plan to use. Quality companies bring floor runners, plywood sheets and padding to protect stairs.

When you hire professional movers, the company becomes responsible for safeguarding your property during the move. Most moving companies include insurance coverage that provides financial protection if damage occurs despite precautions.

How to protect your stairs when moving

If you plan to move without professional help, there are some steps you can take to protect your staircase:

1. Check your stairs and gather supplies

The moving supplies you need will depend on what kind of stairs you have.

• Hardwood stairs need materials that prevent slipping and damage from impact. You may need runners with nonslip backing for the steps. Professional-grade floor runners are sometimes made of neoprene or carpeting with nonslip backing to add stability. Avoid using standard plastic film on hardwood; it can be slippery, even when taped down.
• Carpeted stairs need protection from tears and stains rather than scratches. You can buy carpet protection film with adhesive backing that won't leave residue. This is especially important if there’s rain or snow on your moving day.
• Walls and railings can be protected with a wide variety of materials. You can use rugs, moving blankets, comforters, furniture pads, cardboard and more on your banister. Wrapping your furniture in moving blankets creates a buffer zone that prevents your walls from getting scratched. Be sure to secure your padding with painter’s tape to prevent tripping hazards.

» MORE: Moving supplies that everyone needs

2. Clean and prepare your stairs

Before laying down your protective materials, you’ll want to clean your stairs thoroughly. Remove dust, debris and objects that could get ground into your carpet or scratch your steps if trampled on. This also keeps dirt from getting trapped under protective materials and causing permanent stains.

Place doormats outside and inside your entrance. The outdoor mat is your first defense against dirt and mud. You might consider getting shoe covers, especially if you have especially light carpet on your stairs.

3. Apply protective materials

After cleaning, cover your stairs and railing with protective materials to prevent scratches and dents. Secure anything loose with painter’s tape to eliminate tripping hazards.

For hardwood stairs, use nonslip stair runners or other adhesive floor protection specially designed for wooden stairs. These materials cushion impacts and prevent scratches without creating a tripping hazard. Avoid using loose rugs or blankets — they can shift underfoot and cause falls.

For carpeted stairs, apply carpet protection film with adhesive backing that won’t leave residue. This helps prevent stains and wear from heavy foot traffic during the move.

4. Use proper moving techniques

Protective materials won't prevent damage if you use poor moving techniques. Improper lifting increases the risk of dropping items, damaging stairs and causing injuries.

Have at least two people handle heavy items on stairs. The person at the bottom bears more weight and guides movement. The person at the top maintains balance and control.

Also, use moving straps to lift and carry heavy items. This keeps items away from stair surfaces and reduces strain on movers.

Some items might require special care when moving, including:

• Grandfather clocks
• Hot tubs
• Pianos and organs
• Pool tables
• Refrigerators
• Washers and dryers

Moving day safety tips

Plan your moving route to reduce trips up and down stairs. Pack strategically by consolidating items and using properly sized boxes.

Don't overfill boxes. Use small and medium boxes for heavy items like appliances. Use large boxes only for lightweight materials, such as clothes and linens. Overloaded boxes can easily tear and spill. If you only have large boxes for heavy items, like books, fill them halfway and use the rest of the box for blankets, towels and other lightweight items.

Measure furniture and stairway dimensions before moving day. Damage often occurs when the furniture is too wide for the staircase and the corners scrape the surface.

Tip: Never force furniture through tight spaces. Some movers offer hoisting services that use special equipment to move furniture through windows when it won't fit through stairways.

» RELATED: Planning an out-of-state move