Moving a pool table is a big job, but it needs to be done from time to time, whether because you are moving house or because you’re changing up your space. There is a lot that goes into taking apart and setting up a pool table.
You can move a pool table a short distance without taking it apart as long with the help of several people and furniture sliders, but it could cause damage to the table and require the bumpers to be realigned, and the slate re-leveled. We recommend hiring professionals.
Even though it is possible, it isn’t recommended that you move a pool table without taking it apart or even without the help of a professional. In this article, we’ll discuss the risks of moving a pool table without taking it apart and the risks of doing the job yourself, so that you can decide if it’s worth it to you.
What Happens if You Move a Pool Table Without Taking it Apart?
You can move a pool table without taking it apart with enough helping hands, but it isn’t good for the table. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that moving a pool table without taking it apart can damage your table:
- The weight of the slate will be supported primarily from the frame if you are carrying it. This can cause damage to the frame or cause it to go out of alignment.
- If the table has a three-piece slate, the slate can shift when the table is moved, causing it to become misaligned at the seams.
- Inevitably, you will need the table re-leveled. You can do this yourself if you have a one-piece slate, but to level a three-piece slate, you may need to call in a professional (and you’ll have to take the table apart anyway).
- The slate could become damaged. This is especially true for one-piece slates.
- You’re going to need several people to help lift the weight of the table. One of your helpers or you could get hurt trying to lift the heavy pool table.
Because of the risks of damaging the table, and the likelihood that you will need to have the table leveled by a professional anyway, we recommend hiring a reputable pool table mover.
Wondering if you should tip a pool table mover? Check out our post on the topic here.
Can You Take a Pool Table Apart Yourself to Move It?
If you’re trying to save some money, you can take the pool table apart yourself and move it without too much issue. You would still need a friend or two to help move the slate and the frame. Moving a pool table is never a one-person job.
Before you get started, make sure you’re putting in the right place. Our post on how far a pool table should be from the wall will help you.
Taking a pool table apart and moving it yourself isn’t something that we recommend, even though it is less expensive. Let’s take a look at the drawbacks of moving it yourself.
Three-Piece Slate Pool Tables Require a Professional
A three-piece slate pool table requires some know-how when it comes to reassembly. The three pieces of slate need to be leveled individually and then joined using beeswax.
If you don’t know how to do this (and most of us don’t), you’ll need to hire someone to do it for you. At this point, it might be worth just having them do the whole job.
One-Piece Slate is Heavy
One-piece slate is extremely heavy, which is one of the reasons why most pool tables are made with three-piece slate. You’ll need several people to help you remove this beast from the table and carry it to its destination. It will be challenging to fit it through doors or down hallways.
It is also more likely to break in the moving process.
Breaking the Slate
The last thing you want to do it break your pool table’s slate, and moving the table, even when you disassemble it, can lead to the slate getting damaged.
Slate replacement is pricey. Even if you only break one of the three pieces of slate on your table, you’ll need to replace them all as the slate should all come from the same piece, so it lines up perfectly.
(You can tell that your slate all comes from the same piece by the semi-circle drawn across the three pieces connecting them. This is done in manufacturing, so there are no mixups.)
You’ve Got to Know What You’re Doing
Before you even think about disassembling a pool table, you’ll need to spend a reasonable amount of time researching the topic. If you try to rush this part, you could end up taking apart your pool table and not being able to get it back together in the right way again.
If you’re planning a move or renovation project, you might not have the time or energy to put into getting the process right.
All that being said, doing the job yourself will save you a pretty penny, so you have to weigh the risks and the benefits for yourself.