Maintaining Your Pool Table: Tips and Tricks for Keeping It in Top Shape During a Move

Oct 6, 2023

Proud pool table owners in Austin, Texas understand the value of the joy provided by this beloved pastime. Over the years, a pool table can easily become one of your most prized possessions – in addition to one of your heftiest investments. With the monetary and personal value of this item, it’s vital to take all necessary precautions to protect it during your next move.

Pool table moving is a daunting task – whether you’re relocating to Austin or beyond. If every step is not performed correctly and carefully, you risk damage to your beloved pool table. Keep reading to learn some of the most useful tips and tricks for successful pool table moving from the experts at Trooper Billiards.

Pool table with bright green felt installed by Trooper Billiards inside of an Austin home.

Hire Professional Pool Table Movers

Seeking out and hiring a professional moving company (or pool table company that offers moving services like Trooper Billiards) minimizes the risk of damage to an expensive, heavy, yet delicate item.

Many pool table owners will attempt to DIY a pool table move – any reputable pool table company or moving company will tell you, this is not recommended. It requires years of experience with transporting pool tables to nail every step: from disassembly, to transport, reassembly, and more – Trooper Billiards has you covered.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead for a pool table move includes measuring the dimensions of your new space to ensure that the table will fit comfortably and avoid any last-minute surprises. We also recommend measuring your existing space to ensure that the pool table can be moved safely through your home or business into the transport vehicle.

Another facet of planning ahead is researching your desired moving company and scheduling your move well in advance. Depending on the level of experience of your movers, they may have a busy schedule – be sure to also consider peak moving seasons and times, and holidays.

Protect the Pool Table Surface

Though a pool table is a hefty object, it has delicate components that must be protected during the moving process, like the playing surface itself. A reputable moving company will cover the pool table’s surface with a durable, padded material – this prevents scratches and dings that may be sustained during transport.

As a pool table moving company, Trooper Billiards has a fleet of specialized vans that transport pool table components only.

This is particularly important when it comes to the slate pieces that make up the table’s playing surface. In order to ensure maximum protection, these pieces must be securely fastened in place – failure to do so can lead to irreparable damage.

Pool table with black felt, installed by a professional pool table moving company.

Disassembly & Storage

Don’t move your pool table in one piece – this poses a risk of damage to many of the small, intricate components that make up a pool table. Table disassembly and part storage involves the following steps:

  • Removing legs, pockets, and rails
  • Store cue balls, racks, cues, and other accessories
  • Label all of the components and ensure that every piece is packed and protected with the appropriate materials

For more complex or highly customized or antique pool tables, it’s strongly recommended to leave disassembly, labeling, storage, and transport to a team of professionals.

Communicate with the Movers

As important as it is to plan your move ahead and choose a trusted moving company, it’s equally as important to have a clear, open line of communication with the movers.

This can include anything from sharing specific concerns you may have with the moving process, stating any issues with your table, and providing movers with accurate, up-to-date information about the moving day, and informing the team about the specs of your current and new spaces.

This may sound like a lot of information to give your pool table moving company, but Trooper Billiards guarantees that your moving team will appreciate the foresight, helping them execute a safe and efficient pool table move.

Reassemble with Care

For many pool enthusiasts, the most difficult part of the pool table moving process is the anticipation of setting up the table in its new home. Trooper Billiards and other pool table moving companies will urge you to resist the temptation of rushing through the reassembly process to get some playing time in.

When it comes to pool table moving in Austin, Texas, taking the right precautions and enlisting the help of professional pool table movers like Trooper Billiards are essential steps to ensure your beloved table remains in top shape during the relocation. Get in touch with us today to get started with our pool table moving services.