How do I properly store my pool table?
During our routine day to day business dealings, we come across many different tables and many different situations. Throughout our days we see a lot of things that people do with their table that makes us simply cringe. While we can’t expect you to automatically know what to do with your table when we’re not there to advise you, we can educate everyone as much as possible, here and at your appointment, as to what NOT to do with your table to ensure its future value and longevity. One of the main keys in ensuring a table lasts as long as the manufacture intended, is the proper storage of the table when it’s setup and not in use, or not set up at all in storage.
Far too many times we’ve seen ads with tables for sale with the table described as “Beautiful! Perfect condition! Not a mark on it! Ready to be loaded onto your pickup!”
Sounds great! Right?
Well, let’s see… take a look at the pictures and what do you see? The table is completely assembled, minus the legs, and it’s leaning on its side up against the wall. (Cringe!!!)
A slate pool table can weigh anywhere from 500-1200 pounds. The weight of a pool table can be devastating to the construction and attachment of the rails. The rails are usually the most decorative and the first seen part of the pool table. Once they’re damaged or broken, the table has lost a lot of its value. The rails are replaceable, but the price is usually extremely high and matching the original color of the frame is not always possible due to age/fading.
A table stored on its side is also much harder and more dangerous for us to disassemble and move. The frame is not meant to be moved in one piece because there is nowhere to grab the table and lift while the rails are attached.
Once the rails and the slate have been removed from the frame, the frame can be stored on its side. The rails should have the pockets removed. The rails should be positioned so that the cushions(cushions) are not being pressed on by anything surrounding them, as this can cause permanent dents in the rubber over time. The pockets would ideally be stored in a box individually wrapped, or they can be stored lying flat so that the fringe or the shields aren’t wrinkled or bent.
The slate should be stored vertically on its side and against a wall. This is the part that must be done properly in order to not cause any damage to your home or storage area. The floor would ideally be concrete or hardwood with a moving blanket in between the slate and the floor. The weight of the slate can put permanent impressions in your carpet. There also needs to be another moving blanket between the slate and the wall, as it can leave impressions in your wall as well.
It would be advisable to not store any portion of the table in an area that can be easily affected by moisture. All of the hardware for the table should be placed in a plastic/paper bag and either stapled to the inside of the frame, or in the box with the pockets for safe keeping.
