Chandeliers vary from £100 to £33,000. Although there are unquestionably less expensive solutions on the market, you cannot dispute how expensive they are overall. Stainless steel versus gold, glass versus crystal? Modern versus vintage? There are so many different options. Why leave a lovely chandelier behind when you move if you have one? Good lighting fixtures are not appreciated in every home. Take it with you if you enjoy the charm and character it adds! No matter how far away your new home is. Your chandelier may go the same distance if you pack it securely during your transfer. The steps you must follow in order to transport your chandelier are as follows:
Take Down Your Chandelier
No matter how appealing it may sound, a mounted chandelier cannot be packed. It must be taken apart piece by piece. It is not the easiest DIY project, so team up with someone.
The equipment and supplies you will need to dismantle your chandelier securely are listed below:
Two ladders, a screwdriver or adjustable spanner, a circuit tester, a blanket, a camera, and an additional pair of hands—preferably an electrician with a licence. You can begin removing your chandelier after you have everything you require.
How To Detach Your Chandelier
Prep Your Space
Disconnect the electricity by going to the breaker. Disconnect everything else if you’re not sure which component controls the lights. You don’t want to electrocute yourself when taking down your chandelier.
Your ladder should be put up and placed at a suitable height. There is no set perimeter. The objective is to be able to effortlessly take off any pendant or crystal that is dangling. Try to encircle the ladder with a big blanket that covers as much of the floor as you can. Small crystals and pendants may be able to fall safely thanks to the thick blanket.
Take Photos Of Your Set-Up
You must keep in mind where each piece goes if you have a complex chandelier. Do not rely just on the directions or manual. There is a strong likelihood that it is already in the trash. Instead, capture pictures using a camera. Don’t forget to take them from various perspectives. Additionally, you can jot down significant details to aid with setup later on.
Test For A Live Current
Use your circuit tester’s non-contact tip to check for a live current after removing one light bulb. If there isn’t, you may continue. You probably forgot to disconnect it from the breaker if there is a live current. Take care of things first before moving on. Just in case someone else in the house reconnects it, don’t forget to also turn off the light switch.
Remove The Light Bulbs And Crystals
Remove the chandelier’s various components. The design and model you have on hand will affect this phase. If your model is straightforward, all you need to do is remove the one lightbulb. However, you must take your time taking apart an antique crystal chandelier if you have one. It is a two-person job. For simple installation in your new home, you must disconnect each crystal and designate the part from which it came. Have one person take it out of the chandelier while the other keeps track of the process.
Tip: Place a sizable table close by, but not underneath the chandelier. The various pendants, crystals, and lightbulbs can be placed there. Cleaning and categorising are made simpler when they are laid out.
Remove The Chandelier
Examine the chandelier base after removing all the pendants and light bulbs. You will need to adapt as mounting methods differ. The base is frequently screwed into the mounting strap. The nuts at the base of your chandelier should be removed using your adjustable spanner. Once more, this requires two people. Hold the chandelier while the other removes the base screws. Make sure the person holding the fixture keeps it raised; if it is dropped, the wires will be harmed. You want your deposit back, don’t you? Keep the chandelier lit until all connections have been made.
Remove The Wires
The circuit box wires are joined to the chandelier wires via wire nuts. They have the same appearance as a screw-on toothpaste cap if you have never seen one before. Depending on the model, the wire nuts must be removed. With a contemporary wire nut, you may easily release the wires. If you have an older one, you must either cut them off or wiggle the wire out. You can remove the rest of the fixture once the chandelier’s wires are cut. Remember that for this step, the electricity must be turned off! It is quite risky. You can always get assistance from a certified electrician if you are hesitant.
Give It A Thorough Clean
You should probably clean the chandelier now that it has been properly detached. Dust and filth gather in large quantities on chandeliers. If you continue to use it in this manner, it may lose some of its overall sheen and shine. The following equipment is required to properly clean your chandelier: Rubber gloves, a cleaning solution, and a lint-free cloth. Note: You can use a variety of cleaning solutions, such as a 1:1 mix of water and vinegar, a 1:4 solution of rubbing alcohol, and basic dishwashing detergent. Never clean your chandeliers with products that contain ammonia!
How To Clean Your Chandelier
You can clean your chandelier in two different methods. Either you have to clean each piece of crystal individually or you have to immerse everything in water and a cleaning solution. You will get the same outcomes from either. Just choose what you desire.
Make the cleaning solution you desire. The entire chandelier can be used with either recipe. To be more precise, though, use the water and vinegar mixture for the lightbulb and the rubbing alcohol and water mixture for the crystals and metal fragments.
Have your cleaning solution ready in a spray bottle if you plan to clean it in pieces. Spray some water, then massage with a lint-free cloth. Once it seems dry to the touch, place it on a piece of tissue. Keep in mind that every item needs its own square. Never should it contact. Next, wipe the lightbulbs and repeat. Mix your cleaning agent with the water and use a sponge if you plan to wash anything in a basin or sink. Just moisten the pendants and gems! Avoid doing the same to the lightbulb or chandelier arm. Simply wipe it with a lint-free cloth for the latter two. Dry the pieces manually or leave them outside to dry.
Pack It Properly
Get packing as soon as everything is dry. You must be extremely careful with this step because most chandeliers are extremely delicate. The following supplies are required to prevent your chandelier from being harmed while travelling: old newspapers, tissues, a box, tape, bubble wrap, and an extra set of hands.
How To Pack Your Chandelier
If you purchase a new chandelier or if your new home already has one, moving and packing are made much simpler. However, it will take a lot of your time and work if you use the same old chandelier and move it to your new location. Wrap each piece individually to prevent it from breaking or getting scratched up during the move. It is best to first wrap the stones and pendants in tissue before covering them with old newspaper. To make them easier to identify, you can label them as you go. Make sure the old newspaper is tightly coiled around the base and the arms. The newspaper shouldn’t fall apart during the journey. Use tape to firmly secure it.
Place your light bulbs in a little box with some bubble wrap or newspaper inside. Keep in mind that the objective is to prevent movement throughout the journey. Your wires should be rolled, then taped. Either use an existing box or purchase a new one from a packaging supplier. Use some tape to strengthen the old box if you’re using one.
When you are moving, you don’t want the bottom to give way. Either packing peanuts or newspaper must be used to fill the entire box. Place the base and arms first, followed by the more delicate components. Tape the box shut and mark it “fragile.”
Transport It
When you’re finished, give the movers your chandelier. To pick it up and deliver it, you can employ an experienced man and vehicle team. Your chandelier will undoubtedly arrive at your new house intact because they are experts at handling fragile boxes.
