How to Safely Move Pool Tables

When it comes to moving households, handling large, bulky items like a pool table is a challenge, especially if you decide to do it yourself. Here are a few tips that can help.

A pool table must be disassembled before moving it. Depending on the age of the table, you may or may not have the original documentation on how it was put together and how to take it apart. Usually, the side rails and pockets come off, and the felt must be carefully removed.

Depending on the size of the table, it will be composed of up to three large, heavy pieces of slate that comprise the playing surface. These slate surface pieces are often held into place on the frame with screws covered with bees wax. You have to know to look for these; otherwise you can do damage. Each section of slate has to be wrapped in moving blankets. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Canada, we also stretch wrap them so we can get a better grip. The slate pieces should NOT be laid flat in the truck, as being jostled during the trip will create stress points that could cause cracks. The slate pieces should be secured vertically at the sides of the trick and should not come into contact with anything else during transport.

When it’s time to reassemble the table at the other end, it’s important to realize just how heavy it is and place the sections of it carefully, realizing that its weight can have an effect on floor-bearing capacity. Ideally, pool tables should go into a basement on a concrete floor.

image credit: csessums via flickr