How Can I Take My TV Down Safely?

Mounting a television on the wall, is a reliable TV setup that has several benefits. It is safe, secure and it saves valuable space. For many homeowners, mounting a TV is a skill that they have mastered overtime, as a lot of literature addresses the topic. The same cannot be said about taking down a TV, as most people are not sure how to go about it. The truth is that, taking down a TV by removing it from a wall mount is a straightforward process, and you do not even need professional help to get it done. In this article, we have explained how to take down your TV safely, in simple steps.

Reasons to Take TV Down

There are a couple of reasons why you might need to take a TV down. It is possible that your television is faulty, and you need to fix it. It could also be as a result of a renovation of your entertainment center, in which case you have to take the TV down and mount it somewhere else. In the same vein, you may be moving houses and you need to take your TV along with you. Whatever the case may be, it is important to know how to take your TV easily and safely.

Materials Needed to Unmount TV

Before we discuss the steps to take when taking your TV down, it is important to highlight the materials that you need for the exercise. This will ensure that you do not encounter any challenges during the process. 

• Wall Mount Manual: The first, and perhaps most important thing that you need is your wall mount manual. Different manufacturers have specific instructions for unmounting a TV, as every mount has its own installation requirements. Having the manual will help you understand the required steps to unmount your TV safely.

• Screwdriver: You are going to be dealing with screws and bolts when unmounting the television, so it is essential that a screwdriver is within reach, throughout the exercise. For mounts with safety locks, you will need the designated key to unlock your TV.

• Blanket: A blanket is needed when unmounting a TV. You need it to protect your TV screen from scratch, once you have removed taken down the television.

• An Extra Pair of Hands: Unmounting a TV is a task best carried out by two or more people. This is because, the TV has to be lifted on both sides when taking it off the mount. As such, it is important that you get help from a friend or family member for the unmounting exercise. 

How to Unmount TV Safely From Wall

Once you have gotten the needed materials, you are ready to unmount your TV. At this point, you must have read the instructions in the wall mount manual, so you can proceed to the unmounting exercise. Below are the steps to take to take your TV down safely.

• Unplug The Wires: The first thing to do when taking down a TV, is to unplug all the wires connected to it. Doing this is important for two reasons. It eliminates the risk of electric shock, and also ensures that you do not trip and fall while holding the TV. Start by removing the power cable from the wall, and pulling all the attachments. Also unplug wires from your movie player, game console and other accessories. 

• Remove Safety Locks: This step is for mounts that come with safety locks. If you have one of these, it is important to undo the lock before lifting your TV. There are three main types of locks that come with television mounts. They are screw lock, bar lock and pull-string lock. Your wall mount manual contains information about the safety lock, and how to undo it. Screw locks are usually located at the bottom of the TV, and you need a screwdriver or the designated key to unlock them. For bar locks, all you need to do is slide the bar horizontally across the back of the TV to unlock them. For pull-string locks, you need to pull the strings which are usually located on both sides of the TV.

• Lift the TV: After removing any safety locks that might come with your TV, you can proceed to lift the TV. The easiest and safest way to do this, is to tilt the TV before lifting it. This is one step that requires help from a friend or family member. With one person on either side, hold the bottom of the TV and tilt it towards you. Lift it upwards, and remove it from the wall mount. Once removed, place the TV on the blanket spread on a soft surface. Make sure to turn the TV face down, in order to avoid ruining the screen

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• Remove The Mount Bracket From the TV:  With the TV facing down, work on getting the mount bracket off with your screwdriver. Ensure that the TV screen is on the blanket while doing this. In this case that you are changing the location of your TV, you should also remove the mount from the wall. Do this with your screwdriver and close the holes, using putty.

 How to Properly Prepare a TV for Transit

One of the major reasons why people take down televisions from their mount, is to move them to a different location, usually a new house. So, if you fall into that category, it is important that you know how to properly prepare your TV for transit. We have provided you with five easy steps to prepare your TV for transit.

• Unplug Cords and Wires: The first step to take when preparing a TV for transit, is to unplug all the cords and wires connected to it. This includes power cords, HDMI cords, as well as cable wires. In addition, remove all accessories connected to your TV. This includes gaming console, movie players. Ensure to pack each accessory with its own wires, and label them appropriately for easy recognition.

• Wrap the TV Screen: It is important to wrap your TV screen, before embarking on a trip to protect it from damage and scratch. The best materials for wrapping your TV screen include TV foam pouches, bubble wrap as well as moving blankets. To protect your TV screen with a moving blanket, simply covering around the screen, and fasten it with a small rope to keep it in place. 

• Put the TV In a Moving Box: Finally, you need to put your TV in a moving box. The best option for this, is the original box that the TV came in. If you do not have this box, consider using any box that is big enough to contain your TV. In the case that you do not have a box, moving blankets can come in handy.

Conclusion

Taking your TV down might seem to be a daunting task, but by following the right steps you will get it done in no time. Ensure to read the manual before carrying out the unmounting process. Do not attempt to take down your TV, if you cannot lift it by yourself. Instead, get help from a friend. Additionally, ensure to keep the TV screen safe by putting it on a blanket when removing the mount brackets.