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Successfully moving a washer and dryer is a job for the professionals because each one of these appliances can weigh more than 200 pounds. There are multiple safety risks involved when moving such appliances both for the individual and the product.
This is why it is always recommended to hire trained and experienced professionals to move a washer and dryer to avoid damages and injuries. Be ready for some heavy lifting if hiring trained professionals to move a washer and dryer is not an option you want to consider.
Successfully moving front-loading and top-loading appliances can be extremely challenging and are not recommended for a single person. Successfully moving a washer and dryer will be much easier with the proper planning, supplies, equipment, and assistance. Let’s look at some of the first steps you need to take before you can physically move a washer and dryer.
First, you must locate the owner’s manuals and warranty information for both the washer and dryer. In the unplanned event of damage to any one of the appliances, you will know whether or not you can place a warranty claim for the damaged appliance. The owner’s manual will also have specific instructions on how to safely move the appliance. Place both the owner’s manuals and warranty information in a plastic baggie to protect them from water damage.
You will need physical help to safely move the washer and dryer so try to have at least three or more people available to help you with the move. Make sure that these people are physically fit to help with the lifting if necessary. Also, make sure that they have closed-toe shoes or safety shoes they can wear while lifting heavy objects to protect their feet. Let them know how far you will be moving the washer and dryer.
Some of the equipment that you will need are safety gloves, appliance dolly, forearm forklifts, moving blankets, shrink wrap, vacuum cleaner, insulating tape, packing tape, wrench, pliers, and moving straps. Look at the owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to move your particular model of washer and dryer.
To successfully move a washer and dryer, you need to make sure that both appliances will fit through the doors and stairs on the way out. Measure the width of the doors and staircases on the way out. All of the doors and staircases on the way out must be larger than the dimensions of your washer and dryer. You will need to find an alternative route if the doors and stairs are not large enough. How did you bring the washer and dryer to this place the first time?
No one wants to move a dirty washer and dryer into a new home. Clean out the washer and dryer so that the appliances can be moved safely, efficiently, and without bad smells coming from all over. One way to clean the washing machine is to use Affresh washing machine cleaner that is specifically designed to remove dirt and residue from washers. Let the washing machine dry for at least 24 hours before moving it. Empty and clean out the lint trap of your dryer with a vacuum or brush.
Switch off the washer and dryer before disconnecting the electric supply to the appliances. Switch off the electrical circuit breaker for the washer and dryer on the main electrical panel in your house. Remove the plug from the socket for the washer and dryer after the circuit breaker is switched off. Wrap up the electrical cords for the appliances using twist-tie or industrial strength tape to the side of the appliances.
Find the water valves behind the washer and shut the valves to disconnect the water supply. After the water supply has been disconnected, remove the cold and hot water pipes from the wall and let them drain. You can use a wrench or pliers to unscrew the water pipes. Save the nuts and bolts that come out from the wall, you will need them at the new location.
The drum of the washer is the part that spins to wash the clothes. You need to secure the drum of the washer with shipping bolts. The shipping bolts might be located with the owner’s manual. With the help of the shipping bolts, secure the drum so that it can no longer spin or move on the journey.
Wrap the washer with moving blankets and use industrial-strength tape to hold the blankets in place. You can use shrink wrap to cover the entire washer.
Once the washer is covered with the blankets and shrink wrap, cautiously place the washer onto the dolly. With the help of a friend, tip the washer slowly on top of the dolly. Use rope or moving straps to tightly secure the washer to the dolly.
One person should constantly make sure that the washer remains on top of the dolly. While the other person rolls the dolly with the washer to a place outside the premises.
Load the washer onto the moving truck with the help of the moving truck’s loading ramp. The washing machine should be in an upright position during the journey. Secure the washing machine with tie-downs inside the moving truck.
Most dryers are powered by gas. This means that you need to disconnect the gas supply from the dryer. Before disconnecting make sure you first shut off the gas valve on the dryer.
Pull the dryer away from the wall and remove the pipe that connects from your dryer to the wall. This is considered as the drainpipe in some dryer models.
Wrap the dryer with moving blankets and use industrial-strength tape to hold the blankets in place. You can use shrink wrap to cover the entire dryer.
Once the dryer is covered with the blankets and shrink wrap, cautiously place it onto the dolly. With the help of a friend, tip the dryer slowly on top of the dolly. Use rope or moving straps to tightly secure the dryer in place with the dolly.
One person should constantly make sure that the dryer remains on top of the dolly. The other person can roll the dolly with the dryer on top, making sure to avoid bumps against the walls on the way out.
Load the dryer onto the moving truck with the help of the moving truck’s loading ramp. The dryer should be in an upright position during transit. Secure the dryer with tie-downs inside the moving truck.
Moving a washer and dryer is not an easy task for someone who does not have the experience for it. There are so many things that can go wrong. It is also advisable to hire professional movers such as Bin-It to ensure everything goes smoothly during the move. Based in North Bergen, NJ, Bin-IT is a highly reputable and reliable moving company that can make moving washer and dryer to your new location a breeze.