Moving a Grandfather Clock: The Top Tips

Safely moving a grandfather clock can be tricky for a variety of reasons. In this post, we’ll explore the nitty gritty details of how to move a grandfather clock without damaging its intricate mechanical parts. If you’re ready to move your grandfather clock, try out these tips!

5 Grandfather Clock Moving Tips

1. Ask for Help: Never move a grandfather clock by yourself. Depending on the make and model of your clock, it could weigh a couple hundred pounds. That’s why moving a grandfather clock by yourself is nearly impossible and can lead to personal injury or damage to the clock. Additionally, even if you are hiring professional movers, verify that they specialize in moving grandfather clocks before you ask for their help.
2. Disassemble the Pendulum: Before touching the pendulum or weights, put on cotton gloves. Remove the pendulum by unhooking it from the suspension spring. It should unhook from the spring relatively easily. Wrap the pendulum in thick blankets to prevent it from getting damaged during the move.
3. Remove the Weights: The next steps will depend on whether your clock is chain-driven or cable-driven. If the clock is chain-driven, pull the chains until the weights are about halfway to the top and tie a thin wire around the weights to secure them. If your clock is cable-driven, insert small foam blocks into the pulleys to keep the cables from jamming during your move.
4. Secure the Chime Rods: If your clock has chime rods, use a piece of cardboard to protect the rods during your move. Punch a hole in the cardboard and slide the longest rod through the hole. Repeat this process for each smaller rod until all of the rods are secure inside of their own hole. Attach the cardboard to the back of the clock using painter’s tape.
5. Move the Clock Up-Right: If you’re not sure how to move a grandfather clock, you’re safer moving it up-right. Place the grandfather clock on a dolly when moving it.

Are You Looking for a Place to Store Your Grandfather Clock?

Grandfather clocks are often passed down from family member to family member. If your grandfather clock is a family heirloom that you can’t bear to part with, but it just doesn’t make sense in your home right now, ezStorage can help.

ezStorage has storage facilities throughout the Maryland, Virginia, DC and Baltimore area, ready to meet your storage units. Our self storage units range in size from the smaller 5×10 storage unit, perfect for the storage of a grandfather clock, to the large 10×30 storage unit. The 10×30 storage unit would be ideal for storing rooms of furniture and belongings during a move. Our storage facilities also come equipped with storage units that can control the climate, which is important when storing a sensitive item like a grandfather clock. Do you have questions regarding a storage unit rental? Contact us today!