Tips To Pack Your Flat Screen Television

If you have a house full of contents that need to be moved from one home to another, then it will likely be easier to hire professional movers to complete the moving job for you. To save yourself some money, you can pack your things yourself. While it may be simple to place your clothes and dishes in boxes, you may be stumped about what to do with your flat screen television. It is best to pack these types of televisions, so keep reading to learn how.

Use The Right Box

A flat screen television is likely to weigh between 25 and 75 pounds on average. However, if you own a large 60-inch variety, then you may be looking at a television that is about 100 pounds. This means that you need to plan on packing a relatively heavy object in a cardboard box. Most cardboard boxes used for moving purposes are single-walled varieties that are meant to hold between about 20 and 95 pounds. If you own a smaller 32-inch television, then you can get away with one of these boxes. You should make sure that you purchase a box that has a maximum load of about 100 pounds or a bit more though, if you have a television that is a 60-inch variety. Also, if you are packing one of these heavier TVs, then make sure the box you buy has a large amount of flutes built into the sides of the box. The flutes are the paper waves or arches that run between the solid paper sides of the box. The flutes add strength to the box, so make sure there are around 50 or more flutes per foot, especially if your television comes close to the weight limit of the box being used or if you need to stack your boxes for some reason.

If you have a large screen TV that is a projection type and weighs well over 100 pounds, then you will need to purchase a double wall box for packing purposes. This may be a good idea as well if you are concerned about keeping a smaller television secure during the moving process. These types of boxes feature two fluted walls on every side of the box. No matter which type of box you choose, just make sure to add about two or three inches to the length, width, and height of the television when making your purchase to make room in the box for cushioning materials. Also, you should secure the seams of the box with thick PVC packing tape. Tape thickness is measured in mils, so go with the highest mil option you can find.

Choose The Best Cushioning Materials

Your television cannot be simply placed in a cardboard box. It must be surrounded by cushioning materials. Otherwise, LCD pixels can be damaged and you will end up with a black dead spot across the screen. If you have a plasma variety, then the screen can crack into a spider web pattern, and a rip can form in a projection screen. A static charge from the wrong packing materials can also cause damage to the electrical components. 

The best packing materials are ones that contain an anti-static agent within them. These products are typically pink in color to indicate that they are safe for electronics and contain the anti-static agent or additive. Purchase either pink packing peanuts or bubble wrap. If you are an environmentally conscious person, then you can also choose starch-based packing peanuts instead of polystyrene varieties. These packing materials are naturally anti-static and they are biodegradable. When you use the peanuts you purchase, add the television to your box first and fill in all available space with the peanuts. Do not stuff the peanuts in the box or this may place a good deal of pressure on the screen of the television.

If you need to move, then you will also need to pack. Certain items like televisions need to be secured in boxes carefully, so make sure to follow the correct process to reduce damage concerns during the move. For more tips or advice, contact local moving companies.

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