Although moving a washing machine may seem easy, its heavy weight and sensitive internal parts need special attention. Whether you are shifting to a new house, making changes in your laundry area, or getting a new washer altogether, it is crucial to follow sound practices for moving to keep the device and your property in good condition.
Proper preparation also makes installation much smoother and ensures the appliance works as it should. In this blog, we cover how to safely prepare, move, and reinstall a washing machine, along with common pitfalls and when to consider hiring professional movers.
What You Need Before Moving a Washing Machine?
Before moving your washing machine, ensure that you obtain all the needed utensils and items that can help in making the process secure and effective. Having everything ready in advance minimises the chances of hurting yourself, protects your machine during transportation, and ensures a smooth relocation.
You will typically need:
- Moving cart
- Moving straps
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Bucket and towels
- Packing tape
- Moving bolts
- Moving blankets
Using the right appliances not only protects your washing machine but also simplifies its lifting and movement.
How to Prepare a Washing Machine for Moving?
It is vital to prepare the appliance properly. This helps prevent leaks, safeguards the interior drum, and avoids damage.
Disconnect the Power: Switch off your washing machine and unplug it from the power supply to mitigate any electrical hazard.
Turn Off the Water Supply: Turn off your hot and cold water taps before disconnecting the pipes to avoid any leakage.
Drain Remaining Water: After detaching the drainage pipe, pour out any remaining water into a bucket and wipe dry all wet parts.
Secure the Drum: Place transit bolts as per the manufacturer’s guidance so that the drum remains intact during transportation. If you are unable to locate them, contact the company to request a replacement.
Protect the Appliances: Grab the loose cables and wrap them up in tape to avoid damage.
How to Move a Washing Machine in Its New Location
After properly preparing the washing machine for transit, take care during transportation to prevent injury to those moving the appliance as well as harm to the washing machine itself.
Use an Appliance Dolly
You must properly tilt the washing machine and place it on the furniture dolly. This will minimise lifting and ensure the appliance’s safe journey to its destination.
Keep the Machine Upright
The washing machine must always be kept in a vertical position during transport. Tilting the appliance for too long can damage its drum and suspension.
Move Slowly and Carefully
When passing through narrow doorways or going up or down the stairs, be extremely cautious. If the washing machine is too heavy, it is highly recommended to seek help.
Reconnect and Test
After moving the washing machine into its new spot, you need to hook up the hoses and accommodate all wires. Make sure to run a short trial using the appliance before normal use.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving a Washing Machine
One way to avoid causing harm and incurring repair costs is to steer clear of typical mistakes. The following are the most common mistakes homeowners make:
- Forgetting to drain the water beforehand.
- Transporting the appliance without fixing the drum.
- Keeping the washing machine on its side for a long time.
- Trying to pick up the device with no proper tools or help.
- Not properly securing the hoses or checking for leakage after installing it.
Taking extra time to avoid these mistakes can help you keep the washing machine in proper working order.
When Should You Hire Professional Movers?
While many householders may be able to relocate a washer on their own, there are circumstances when hiring movers is the more prudent choice. If the appliance has to go up or down many flights of stairs, be taken a long distance away, or must be fit through really tight spots in the house, the pros have the gear and know how to do this safely.
Professionals also help avoid injuries and damage to the washer and your house during the moving process.
Conclusion
When moving a washing machine, it is essential to plan properly, use suitable tools, and take necessary measures. Unplugging the washing machine properly, securely fastening its drum, and moving it cautiously will help minimise the chances of any harm to the machine and ensure it works well in a new location.
If the task involves heavy lifting or accessing hard-to-reach areas, hiring experts can offer an easy, safe, and stress-free solution.