How to Protect Stairs When Moving: Stair Protection Tips and Tricks

Moving house poses a great number of risks – to your safety, to your finances, to your belongings, and even to your property. From the choice of a mover to the packing of the home, every stage of the relocation process comes with its own risks – moving scams, bad scheduling, overlooked tasks, underestimated complexities, improper packing, etc.

Moving day, however, is when risks converge to a maximum – a single wrong decision, or a single wrong step, on that fateful day can result in serious personal injuries, broken household items, and/or damaged floors, stairs, walls, or doors.

In fact, moving house without inflicting any damage to the property is almost akin to a miracle. The only way to achieve it is to take efficient protective measures – and to do so, you need to know how to properly protect your home on the day of your move.

Since the floors and the stairs are most vulnerable to damage during a house move, they need to be considered first – and protected as best as possible.

Having already discussed the best way to protect floors when moving, we’ll now focus on the various precautions you can take to prevent damage to the stairs on Moving day.

How to protect stairs during a move – and why you should do it

Moving involves a lot of heavy lifting – and a lot of tricky maneuvering, especially when stairs are involved.

Taking heavy furniture, bulky appliances, and large boxes up or down stairs is very difficult and very risky. You (or your moving helpers) can easily slip on the steps, drop a heavy item on the stairs, or hit the railing – and thus get hurt, damage the carried item(s), and/or cause damage to the stairs. The carpet on carpeted stairs may get torn, wood stairs may get chipped, scratched, or dented, railings may break, etc.

The stairs may also suffer damage from the heavy traffic on Moving day. People will be going in and out of the house and up and down the stairs over and over again, tracking in dust, dirt, water, or mud – as a result, the stairs can easily get dirty, stained, or scuffed as a result, unless they’re covered with protective materials.

It is quite clear then that stairs are very vulnerable to damage during a house move. And damage to the stairs – as any kind of property damage – is the last thing you want to deal with when moving house:

• If you are moving out of a rental property and damage the stairs, you won’t get your security deposit back;
• If you are moving out of your own house, any damage to the stairs will decrease its sale price;
• If you cause any damage to the stairs when moving into your new home, you’ll have to deal with costly repairs immediately after your costly move – or put up with damaged stairs for some time.

Either way, failing to protect the stairs when moving will cost you time, money, and nerves – and you won’t have any spare of these when moving house.

Fortunately, with the right precautions, you can easily prevent damage to the stairs and avoid all the trouble.

So, what should you do to ensure that the stairs stay safe and in good condition during your move?

There are two ways to protect stairs when moving – (1) by covering them with protective materials and (2) by using appropriate moving equipment and safe packing and moving techniques that will greatly reduce the risk of the damage to your property.

The specific products and methods that will work best in your case will depend on the type of the stairs, the weather conditions on the day of your move, and the kind of items you’ll be moving.

How to protect wood stairs when moving

Hardwood stairs are very beautiful and add value and luxury to a home. Yet, they’re quite slippery and easily prone to damage.

To reduce the risk of slipping and keep your elegant wood stairs protected during your move, you need to cover them with suitable protective materials – padded protection products with non-slip surface and backing.

Protective stair runners (floor runners)

Floor runners are protective coverings made of neoprene or carpeting that minimize the risk of scratching or denting the wood while hauling heavy pieces up and down the stairs.

Top-quality floor runners have adhesive backing (so they won’t slide around when walked over) and anti-slip surfaces (so they’re safe to walk on). If the stair runners are not self-adhesive, they should be taped down with painter’s tape (packing tape should not be used on hardwood floors and stairs as it can damage the delicate wood finish), so they don’t move when you step on them.

Protective floor runners are your best bet for preventing damage to wood stairs during a move, but they come at a high price.

Old blankets or rugs

Thick and soft, blankets and rugs will prevent damage to the wood stairs in case a heavy item gets dropped on them.

So, if you have any old blankets or rugs that you don’t intend to use in your new home, you can place them on the stairs on Moving day – they will serve as excellent protective covers. Just be sure to secure the blankets and rugs to the stairs (use painter’s tape) to keep them in place and prevent them from getting bunched up and creating a tripping hazard.

Paper products – cardboard and building paper

Heavy-duty cardboard will provide wood stairs with adequate protection against scratching and scuffing. Cardboard, however, is difficult to use on stairs and vulnerable to water damage.

Building paper (red rosin paper or brown rosin paper) is much more convenient to use (it easily conforms to the shape of the stairs) and quite effective against dirt, but it tears easily and doesn’t provide any impact protection or moisture protection. Red rosin paper with polyurethane coating is the best choice among protective building paper products as it is stronger and has improved moisture resistance.

All kinds of paper products need to be securely taped down with painter’s tape so they don’t move around when walked over.

Non-slip drop cloths

Non-slip canvas drop cloths and plastic drop cloths also work well on hardwood stairs. Similarly to rosin paper, they easily conform to the stair shape and protect the wood from dirt and scuffs (and even from water and mud, in the case of plastic drop cloths).

Yet, drop cloths provide no padding, so if a heavy piece is dropped on the staircase, the stairs can easily get damaged.

Protective cloths too need to be secured to the stairs with painter’s tape.

Plastic film cover

A stair protection film will create an insulation layer over the steps – the plastic material will keep dirt, water, and mud away from the wood and will save you a lot of cleaning time and effort. Just be sure to get plastic film with self-adhesive backing and non-slip surface.

Keep in mind though that plastic film covers provide little protection against scratching and impact damage.

See also: The many uses of plastic wrap during a house move

All things considered, it’s best to use plastic film over padded coverings – you’ll get the perfect wood stair protectors that provide good slip resistance and keep the stairs safe from dropped objects, scratching and scuffing, dirt and water, and all other kinds of damage that may typically occur during a house move. This method is very suitable for protecting tile stairs, marble stairs, vinyl stairs, and other types of hard surface stairs, as well.

Bonus tip: Regardless of your chosen method of wood stair protection, you may want to consider using stair edge protectors for added safety – the edges of the steps are most vulnerable to damage when hauling heavy items up and down stairs, so a little extra protection won’t go amiss.

Now you know how to protect hardwood stairs during a move. But what about carpeted stairs?

How to protect carpeted stairs when moving

Many people opt to place a carpet on their stairs to make them more comfortable and more secure to walk on and to add style and color to the staircase. Carpeted stairs, however, are easily vulnerable to staining and tearing, especially when subjected to heavy foot traffic – such as during a house move.

Fortunately, it’s not overly difficult to protect carpeted stairs when moving. The stairs themselves are already well-padded by the carpet, so you only need to protect the carpet by placing a water-proof, tear-resistant covering over it.

Here are some ideas on how to protect carpet on stairs when moving:

Carpet masking

Carpet masking – carpet protection film made of polyethylene – provides the best way to protect carpet during a move. The plastic film is waterproof, durable, and resistant to wear and tear – it creates a protective layer over the carpeted stairs, safeguarding them against dirt, mud, and water and minimizing the risk of tearing the carpet while hauling heavy pieces up or down the stairs.

What’s more, the plastic carpet protector has non-slip surface that helps prevent accidental slips (so it is safe to walk on) and adhesive backing which allows it to attach securely to all types of carpets (so it is very easy to install). Despite its strong adherence, the plastic film is easy to remove without leaving any marks or residue on the carpet.

All in all, it is a very good idea to use plastic cover for carpet protection during a move.

Carpet stair runners (carpet floor runners)

Using a carpet stair protector runner is another great way to keep carpeted stairs safe during your relocation.

Carpet floor runners are especially designed to hold firmly onto the carpet and prevent sliding. They are quite durable and have water-resistant, non-slip surface that helps prevent falls and carpet stains.

Carpet stair covers

Carpet masking and carpet floor runners are excellent stair protectors for carpeted stairs, but they don’t come cheaply – and you may not want to spend any extra money on stair protection for moving.

If you are not willing to purchase a specialized stair carpet protector, you can use some things you already have at home as protective coverings. (See also: Alternative packing and wrapping materials)

Old blankets and rugs, drop cloths, cardboard pieces, and various other paper products can serve as stair covers to protect carpet – they will keep the carpet clean and will reduce the risk of tears. Yet, they will be difficult to secure in place and won’t provide efficient protection against water and mud – if it’s raining or snowing on the day of your move (or if it has rained or snowed recently), you need to add a plastic layer over the covers to prevent the carpet from staining. (Hint: You can use plastic wrap to protect carpet during a move.)

Related: How to move in the rain; How to move in the snow

Good to know: Stair carpet edge protectors are quite useful in preventing damage to the most vulnerable part of carpeted stairs – the stair edges, so they may come in very handy on Moving day.

Knowing how to cover stairs when moving will help you keep them safe during your move. To prevent damage to the staircase, though, you also need to protect the railings.

How to protect railings when moving

Handrails and balustrades can also be easily damaged when furniture and other bulky items are carried up or down stairs – they may get scratched by a sharp edge or may even break if you (or your moving helpers) accidentally hit them with a heavy moving box or furniture piece.

To protect the rails of your staircase on Moving day, you’re advised to wrap moving blankets around them and secure the protective coverings with tape or rope. Any old blankets, large clothing items, or other soft fabrics will also do – the protective wrappings will pad the railings and protect them from scratching and breaking.

If you want to go a step further, you can purchase specialized banister protectors – for maximum safety.

So, to sum it all up – the best way to cover stairs for moving is to place padded protection on the steps, add a water-proof, slip-resistant covering on top of it, and wrap the railings in protective materials. The staircase will be well protected and the risk of accidents will be reduced to a minimum.

In addition to using stair protectors for moving, however, there are other efficient precautions you can take to prevent damage to the stairs during your relocation.

How to prevent damage to the stairs during a move

So, how to protect stairs when moving, other than by covering them with protective materials? The most efficient way to protect your property – and your stairs – on Moving day is to prepare properly, have a plan in place, and use the right equipment:

1. Plan ahead:

• Measure the stairs (the width of the stairs, the space around corners, and the distance to the ceiling) and your furniture and other larger items to make sure that they will fit;
• Decide how to position bulky items and at what angle to carry them along the stairs, so that you have the most maneuvering room and don’t risk hitting the railings, scratching the stairs, or getting stuck against the ceiling;
• Make sure you know how to properly lift and carry heavy items, so you reduce the risk of dropping a weighty piece on the stairs, hitting the railings, or getting injured in the process. (See also: How to avoid injuries on Moving day)

2. Pack safely:

• Make sure your moving boxes won’t break during the move and spill their contents on the stairs – don’t make the boxes too heavy, use strong, quality boxes, reinforce the bottoms of cardboard boxes, etc. (See also: How to pack moving boxes the right way);
• Disassemble large furniture pieces to make them easier and safer to maneuver along the stairs;
• Wrap protruding furniture parts in protective coverings so they don’t break, snag on the railings, or scratch the stairs;
• Make sure furniture doors and appliance doors are tightly closed and secured with painter’s tape so they don’t accidentally open while the pieces are taken up or down the stairs;
• Wrap furniture and other larger items in thick moving blankets (See also: How to pack furniture for moving)

3. Prevent dust, dirt, water, and mud from tracking in:

• Place a doormat in front of the front door to catch most of the dirt, dust, and mud from the shoes of the people who enter your home on moving day;
• Provide shoe covers (shoe booties) and ask everyone involved in the moving process to wear them when entering your house.

4. Use appropriate moving equipment:

• Use a dolly with rubber wheels that will easily roll up and down the stairs without scratching them;
• Use moving straps to safely lift and carry heavy items (so that they won’t be in any contact with the stairs whatsoever).

See also: How to move heavy furniture up stairs

Bonus tip: Hire professional movers – The pros know their job – they have the technical know-how, rich experience, and specialized moving equipment to perform the job without inflicting any damage to the property. They will take all the necessary precautions to protect the stairs and will use safe and efficient moving techniques, so that your items get where they need to be (inside the moving vehicle or to their rightful places in your new home) without the stairs suffering so much as a scratch.

See also: What to expect from professional movers