How to Protect Flooring during the Move? 10 practical Solutions

Moving into a new house always feels good and different, but it also has its challenges. You are supposed to be careful about several things, from packing to decorations, but one important thing left to manage is to protect flooring and the carpet.

You may ask why you need to protect the flooring. Well, if you do not protect the floor, you put yourself at the risk of scratches, dents, and holes. Scraping furniture across the surface causes ripped floorings and carpets. If you wear duty shoes inside the house, you risk scuffing the stains. All these can lead to a decreased property value and flooring longevity. Hence, protection brings comfort and aesthetics to the space and invests in your house’s overall price. Since you’re moving heavy furniture in and there is going to be high traffic, you do not want your floor to be ruined or scratched, your carpets to get dirty, or your tiles to be dented.

We suggest you to install scratch resistant carpet flooring not to worry about possible damages during move. but if your carpet isn’t supported by a warranty, and it’s not scratch resistant, we have some solutions for you to keep in mind during move.

Every type of flooring material has a specific way of protection that you have to be aware of. Below, you will find a few simple precautionary tips on how to protect your floorings during the move:

1. Moving Floor Protection

Floor shields are useful flooring protection tools when moving. They are easy to lay on the floor and prevent slipping when moving furniture. Additionally, they are great flooring protection to keep away dust, scratches, and dents.

2. Plan in Advance

Since heavy furniture is the number one threat to your new house, plan everything before the big day. Mark down the dimensions of your appliances and see if they fit into and out of the space. You should also consider how to place the items in the moving truck.

For too large items, remove the door frame from the jambs for better access. You should also be cautious about the weather. When it is rainy and snowy, precautionary measures should be taken into consideration. Since water and mud get trapped on the surface, use matting for entrances so as not to let the dirt come inside. Planning avoids moving furniture multiple times and decreases the risk of damage.

3. Clean the Surface

Another effective way is to clean the area before moving in. The dirt stuck to the floor and carpet causes further damage. So, deep clean the floorings before covering them. Use floor-specific cleaners and start from top to down. During the move, use disposable plastic shoes. In this way, the outside dirt does not enter the house. If the booties get dirty, leave the extras out so the loaders can grab fresh ones. Keep in mind that if you use dollies to load heavy furniture, clean them before entering the house to avoid dust and debris picked up on the outside.

4. Cover the Floor

Before moving in, cover the whole area to prevent scratches, dents, and scrapes. There are many options available in the market for this. Runners are also helpful; they are rolled out and stuck to the floor with non-adhesive backing. Another pre-moving step for tables and chairs is to use a soft fabric under the legs or to wrap them in paddings. It prevents friction during the move or dragging, even if it accidentally drops on the floor.

5. Measure the Space

One of the most important things to do before moving into a new house is to measure the overall space to ensure your furniture and possessions will fit completely in the house and out of the space. If there isn’t enough space, you risk damaging and scratching up the surface. Measure the entrance and door frame as well. If your furniture cannot pass through the small doorway, you will be in big trouble, risking dropping something accidentally on the floor. Ensure to clear the pathway in advance to move the furniture more easily and avoid tripping over the appliances or packed boxes.

6. Carry NOT Drag

You should know the proper way to move furniture. Whenever possible, carry your home appliances and furniture rather than sliding from one part to the other. Dragging has lasting damage, so avoid floor contact as much as possible. No matter what type of flooring you have, this can ruin the finish and cause dents. You can easily carry lightweight items during the move, but it might seem tempting to drag heavy furniture at the end of the day. By doing so, you risk scratching the floor and denting or breaking the tiles.

If items are too heavy, such as couches, dining room tables, or desks, use a dolly with rubber wheels or sliders when loading and unloading so as not to harm your back. Dolly reduces the risk of drops and scratches. You can easily slide across the room but remember to push rather than pull the items. Protect them with ropes and straps so that they won’t fall on the floor, damaging the surface. Flat pieces of plastic with fitted hard rubber can also be used to eliminate friction.

7. Use Floor Protection

You need surface protectors to prevent further damage to the flooring and furniture. You need to invest in the right type of protection for each surface. The available options include protection film, plywood sheets, cardboard, and ram board.
For hard surfaces such as solid hardwood floors, use ram board. It is durable enough to be applicable in places with high foot traffic. It is easily installed in the pathway during the move-in day. For soft surfaces such as carpeted ones, use protective carpet film. It is resistant to punctures and reduces the risk of harming the carpet texture.

8. Floor Protection Film

During a move, floor protection films can be beneficial for hardwood, carpet, vinyl, and linoleum floorings. It is made of tough rolled polyethene coated with removable self-adhesive, making it a better, user-friendly option than plastic tarps or cloths. It eliminates friction by sticking edge to edge. It is resistant to moisture and tear and hits of sharp objects. Carpet films are flexible and protect the surface from any dirt, spills, or debris. The film is really easy to apply and offers good protection for your new house. It lasts up to forty-five days, which allows you to have a clean removal.

Plywood

If affordable, use plywood sheets for the utmost protection. These are the best methods to prevent damage in high-traffic areas during a move. They act as the second flooring, covering the overall space. Hence, all the scratches and dents happen on this level of surface, not the actual floor of the house. After you have finished moving in, remove the plywood sheets.

Cardboard

Cardboard is a thick, rolled paper that secures your floor. It prevents knicks and scratches. In high-traffic areas, you can finish it with painter’s tape. Cardboard is recommended for hardwood, vinyl, and linoleum flooring. It can also be applied between the flooring and the plywood sheets to avoid accidental scratches.

Ram Board

Ram boards are rolls of protection offering high durability and reusability. They are also resistant to water and spills. If you have vinyl, linoleum, and tile, these are the best solution for you.

9. Protect Traffic Areas

There is high foot traffic in some places in the house such as entryways, staircases, and hallways. By using protective materials, both resistant to wear and tear, you can prevent damage. Use door jamb protectors to protect the frame from dents and dings. You should slip them onto the door frame. For corners, install temporary corner guards so as not to miss drywall. For stairs, you can use protection film to avoid wear and tear.

10. Seek Professionals

When you are indecisive about the proper way of protection, get help from professional movers. They are expert at loading the appliances with the least damage. They have the required equipment to protect the surfaces. If there are several people at hand, separate them into groups. Splitting people into indoor and outdoor groups helps you to keep outside dirt at the minimum amount possible.