A pool table is one of the most fun items to have in the home, particularly to complete a man or woman cave. But pool tables are also among the heaviest and largest items to move and aren’t great to put in a storage unit while you move. Pool tables can range from around seven to nine feet long and weigh 700 pounds or more. That means it’s important to take the proper steps to move these items from one location to another. Need to find out how to move a pool table? The following step-by-step guide will help you move your pool table to a new house or a new room.
How to Move a Pool Table to a New Home
While hiring a team of moving professionals can be beneficial, you may decide to move the pool table on your own. If you decide to move the pool table by yourself or with a group of strong friends or family members, you’ll need to take the proper steps to keep the process smooth.
Supplies for Moving a Pool Table
Keep in mind that, before moving the pool table, you will need to disassemble it. This step will make it much easier to carry through the home and to and from the moving truck. For disassembling and transporting your pool table, we recommend these tools and materials:
- Measuring tape
- Dollies or moving carts
- Power drills
- Flathead screwdriver
- Cutting tools such as snips
- Carpenter’s level
- A staple remover or staple puller that can detach the felt lining
- Socket wrench
- Bubble wrap and moving blankets to keep the pool table secure throughout the move
Now that you know what you’ll need to move your pool table, the following are the specific steps for how to move a pool table.
1. Measure the Doorways and Other Pathways
Before disassembling the pool table, you should figure out how much space you have to move the table through and out of the home without causing any damage. You can use a measuring tape to measure each doorway, hallway, or stairway through which your pool table may need to travel.
This is essential whether you’re moving the pool table out of the home or to another space within the same home. Also, it’s important to make sure the new destination for your pool table has sufficient space to hold it.
Pro Tip:
Keep all sharp edges of the pool table lined covered with small foam bumpers or soft cloth to keep the table from damaging walls and doorways.
2. Begin Disassembling the Pool Table
The next step is to take apart the pool table, which will make it much easier to transport anywhere you take it. Pool tables simply aren’t intended to be moved without disassembly.
Some parts you will need to disassemble include the:
- Table Legs
- Rails
- Slate
- Felt
After taking it apart, you will need to reassemble the pool table in the new location. You should also always read the manufacturer’s instructions for how to disassemble it beforehand, which will prevent you from inadvertently damaging the pool table and make it easier to reassemble.
In some cases, you may be able to move the pool table without disassembling it if you only plan to move it across a short distance. If you’re only moving the pool table to another adjacent room or another space in the same room, you may be able to use furniture sliders.
3. Remove All the Key Parts
The first step to disassembling the pool table will entail removing the ball pockets, which are typically attached with staples or screws to the table frame. This is where your staple remover or screwdriver may come in handy since it can help you remove the fasteners without tearing the material.
After you’ve removed the side pockets, remove the side rail bolts using a socket wrench. Make sure the side pockets and rails are held in a location such as specifically labeled plastic bags.
Once you’ve removed the pockets and rails, you’ll need to remove the felt. You can use your staple remover to remove the staples holding the felt in place, but be careful to avoid causing any damage to the felt in the process.
With the felt removed, you should have access to the pool table slate, which is a rock that is unfortunately easy to damage in a number of ways. Remove the screws holding the slate in place using your power drill. Then, lift the slate and place it on the floor or against a wall away from the rest of the table.
Pro Tip:
The slate is the heaviest individual part of the table. Pieces of slate can weigh as much as 450 pounds or heavier, so don’t attempt to lift the slate on your own. Instead, get at least a couple of other people to help provide muscle power if you’re not working with professional movers.
4. Remove the Table Legs
With all other parts removed, the final item to remove will be the legs. Before taking off the legs, you will need to place the table upside-down or sideways. Keep the weight distribution even while flipping to prevent any slipping and damage. You can then use your drill to remove the screws securing the legs and place the legs in a safe place.
5. Wrap and Label Every Component
Following disassembly, securely wrap each part to prevent damage when moving it. You can use bubble wrap and cushioning to wrap each pocket, rail, and leg. The slate can be secured using moving blankets. Then, you can use packing tape or wrap to keep the cushioning and blankets secured.
With everything wrapped and ready to move, write some labels for them so you know which part is which. This will make reassembling the billiards table in your new home much less frustrating.
The next and final step before moving is to load the pool table components onto your moving van or truck.
When you keep the basics of how to move a pool table in mind, the process of moving it to your new home should be much easier and safer.
Pro Tip:
When you’re reassembling the table, your new floor might not be perfectly level — or it might be more level than before. Assess the situation with a carpenter’s level, and have a pack of shims ready so you can level out the legs and ensure even weight distribution.
How to Move a Pool Table to Another Room or Floor
If you’re moving the pool table within the home, you may be able to move it without disassembling it. However, disassembly may be necessary when moving the pool table to another floor in the home, in which case you’ll want to make sure you have all the tools you need to remove and safely move each part.
3 Tips for How to Move a Pool Table Without Taking It Apart
1. Use Dollies
If you don’t need to take the pool table apart, you may be able to move it through the use of dollies. You will need four dollies, one for each leg of the table. We also definitely suggest you work with two to four people who can help maintain even balance on the dollies while moving,
With the pool table secured on all four dollies, you can then roll the table to a new space or room on the same floor, provided the doorways and hallways are wide enough to permit this.
Pro Tip:
Make sure the dolly is locked in place while loading the pool table to prevent it from rolling.
2. Use Pool Table Lifts
Another option to help move a pool table instead of a dolly is a pool table lift. These lifts are specifically designed to help move pool tables. Simply place them beneath the center of the pool table and use the lever to lift the table off the ground. The lift’s wheels at the base make it easy to roll the table from one space to the next.
3. Use Furniture Sliders
If you only need to move the pool table over a very short distance across the room, you can attach furniture sliders to the bottom of each leg and gently slide the pool table.
How to Move a Pool Table If You Can’t Do It on Your Own
Moving a pool table on your own can be more cost-effective. But professionals who have experience and know how to move this kind of furniture can get the job done right and with efficiency. They’ll make sure that your pool table doesn’t sustain damage or that you don’t suffer an injury.
Certain parts, such as the slate, are particularly vulnerable to damage and are difficult to move over a long distance without professional help. Ultimately, if you want to prevent damage and don’t have enough people to safely move the pool table, you’re often better off hiring a team of professional pool table movers to move the pool table and other items. Also, you will need a moving company if you plan to ship your furniture across the country.
Have you been trying to figure out how to move a pool table with ease? Taking each of these steps and precautions can help you safely move your pool table to a new home or a new space in the same home. You won’t need to worry about damage, injury, or inconvenience with adequate preparation during the moving process.
Other Moving Resources
Moving and packing guides
- How to Move a Couch
- How to Move a Mattress
- How to Move a Refrigerator
- How to Move a Piano
- How to Move a Pool Table
- How to Pack Shoes for Moving
- How to Pack Dishes and Glasses
