Televisions are the single most commonly damaged item in a household move, and almost always for the same reason: they get laid flat, stacked under something, or wedged upright between soft furniture where nothing holds them still.
Why flat screens break
A modern flat panel has almost no structural strength across its face. The screen is a thin laminate under tension, and it is designed to be supported at the edges, not across the middle. Lay it flat and put any weight on it, and the panel flexes just enough to crack internally. That damage often does not show until the set is switched on at the other end.
The safest position for a TV in transit is upright, on its edge, secured so it cannot tip or slide.
Packing it properly
- Use the original box if you still have it. Nothing else fits as precisely. If not, buy a purpose-made flat-screen carton rather than improvising.
- Photograph the ports before unplugging. Two minutes with a phone camera saves half an hour of guesswork later.
- Bag and label the cables and the stand screws. Tape the bag to the back of the set, not to the screen.
- Cover the screen face with a soft cloth or foam sheet first, then bubble wrap over that. Bubble wrap directly against a screen can leave marks on a warm day.
- Mark the carton UPRIGHT and THIS WAY UP on all four sides, so it is right whichever way somebody picks it up.
Chicago winters are a real factor
This one catches people out every year. LCD and OLED panels do not like cold. If your TV has been in an unheated truck in a Chicago January, do not plug it in the moment it comes through the door. Let it sit at room temperature for a few hours first, so condensation inside the panel can evaporate rather than sitting on the electronics. The same applies to computers, games consoles and anything else with a screen.
Computers, consoles and audio
Back up anything irreplaceable before moving day, not after. Desktop towers travel best upright and padded on all sides. Remove any heavy aftermarket graphics card if it is a long trip, since the card can flex its slot over hundreds of miles of road vibration. Speakers should be moved with grilles on and drivers facing inward.
When to hand it over
If a TV is very large, wall-mounted at height, or genuinely valuable, it is worth having it packed professionally. A purpose-made crate costs a fraction of a replacement panel, and the mount removal is often the fiddliest part of the day.
Sunshine Movers packs and moves electronics as part of any residential or office move across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Call (847) 812-5848 or email sunshinemovers2@gmail.com.