One of the biggest challenges of moving is figuring out how to move a washing machine. Washing machines, like other household appliances, can be daunting to move. After all, it's not like we can just shove it in a cardboard box and move on like a lot of our belongings! You want to make sure it arrives in one piece, and you have to uninstall and reinstall them at either end.
Not only that, but these appliances aren't light and have lots of parts to consider like the water supply hose and drain hose. Usually, people opt to hire a professional moving company to help move their washing machine safely. Professional movers will have the experience and tools to safely move your washing machines from A to B.
But if you want to do it yourself, here's how to move a washing machine.
You may not want to hire a removal company but you're going to need friends to help you to lift and move a washing machine. You should recruit friends capable of lifting heavy appliances. This will make sure you do not hurt yourself and will make the washing machine moving much easier.
If you cannot find people to help you, reconsider hiring professionals to assist you in moving your washing machine. It is not a one-person job, as a washing machine is both temperamental and heavy, and the last thing you want in your new home is to find that your washing machine isn't working!
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In order to properly and safely move a washing machine you will need all the necessary supplies. These include transit bolts and an appliance dolly.
In addition to the transit bolts, you will also need moving blankets (or furniture blankets, to protect the washer unit), a small bucket, carrying straps of some sort, slip joint pliers, and washer cleaner to run a wash cycle with.
Once you have the correct equipment, you can then start the preparing and moving process.
Transit bolts (sometimes called shipping bolts or washer locks) are small metal rods that get inserted into the back of the washing machine. You use transit bolts to keep the drum still and stable. Moving a washing machine without transit bolts is a risk, as the washing machine drum suspension mechanisms are prone to damage if subjected to sudden jerking motions.
These transit bolts should have come with your washing machine, but if you cannot find them you should contact your washing machine manufacturer or a local home appliance store. They should have some transit bolts suitable for your washing machine.
An appliance dolly is an essential tool. It will help with moving your washing machine safely from your home to the moving vehicle. Washing machines can weigh anywhere between 130 and 240 pounds, and so moving them without a dolly is nearly impossible.
If you hire a moving vehicle, you may find the same company will lend out appliance dollies. This is definitely worth exploring!
This will help you to find where you will need to place transit bolts and should provide advice for moving your specific washing machine without damaging the washing machine's drum or breaking the washing machine in any way.
If you no longer have the manual, try searching for the washing machine's make and model online - a quick Google search should help you find it!
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The very first job when it comes to moving a washing machine is to disconnect it. This should be done around 24 to 48 hours before you move. In this stage, the owner's manual or user manuals are often helpful if you're unfamiliar with the washing machine, but it can be done without it.
Before you start any of this, you must make sure that your washing machine is completely empty. If there is anything in the washer drum, it will cause issues.
Run a clean cycle (an empty load) with washer cleaner to remove detergent residue and then leave the washing machine door open for a while to let the washing machine dry out.
Unplug the washing machine's electrical lead to disconnect it from the electrical network. This will prevent you from getting shocked while disconnecting the hoses and preparing your washing machine. Then, turn off the washing machine's water supply. This is usually done by turning the valve behind the machine clockwise. Be careful when manoeuvring the washing machine forward to reach said water supply valve.
Place a bucket beneath the water valve ready to catch excess water. Using slip joint pliers disconnect the water supply hose from the water valve. With the pliers again, detach the water supply hose from the washing machine and place it in a plastic bag.
Disconnect the drain hose from the wastewater canal but leave the drain hose attached to the washing machine.
Once you've prepared the plumbing side of the washing machine, you can start to actually get moving. Other than when you tilt it to and fro in this process, try to keep the washing machine in an upright position and ensure the power cord remains secured to the back so that it does not trip anyone up.
Attach the transit bolts to the back of the washing machine. If you get stuck, take a look at the washing machine user manual.
Roll up the washing machine's electrical cord and attach it somehow to the back of the washing machine. Using moving blankets or washing blankets, wrap the machine completely. You should use at least a couple of furniture blankets or similar.
The same goes for other major appliances and large appliances when moving, too. This protects washing machines from damage during the moving process.
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Your machine is now ready to be moved. Take care when moving, as even with the dolly this is a challenging task. If your moving truck does not have a van or a lifting mechanism, be sure to enlist all of your friends to help hoist the washing machine up and in. Moving a washing machine is no easy feat.
Using your friend's help, get the washing machine safely onto the appliance dolly. You will likely need to use the straps to do this and tilt the washing machine back and forth.
Once on the dolly carefully step through your home and go to the van. Carefully wheel the washer around, as while you have the drum immobilised, you should still avoid bashing the washing machine around too much. If you encounter stairs, lower the dolly step by step.
Using a ramp, load the dolly onto the van and use the straps to remove the washing machine from the dolly. Make sure you position the washing machine upright and if possible, tie or tape it down so it doesn't move during the drive. Duct tape, bungee cord, or rope can help with this.
As soon as you've arrived at the new property, you'll be wondering what to do with your washing machine. The good news is that it's pretty simple. Once your washing machine moving is done, and you've got the heavy appliance in the room you want it, you just need to get your washer connected.
This will involve reconnecting the water supply hoses and the drain hose, as well as plugging the power cable back in (although this should always be done last!).
Make sure the valve and power outlet are turned off until everything is reconnected. Once everything is reconnected, remove the transit bolts so that your washing machine can run again. You can now run a test cycle!
If you need to remember anything from this to help with moving a washing machine, remember to:
And always make sure you give yourself enough time to properly prepare, pack, and move your washing machine. Rushing around will inevitably lead to you missing one of these steps, and that can cause irreparable damage to both you and the appliance itself! Take your time, and, if you can't do so, hire a team of experts to make sure the job gets done properly.
It is possible to safely move a washing machine from point A to point B without expert help. However, washing machines are not cheap and they are not light. So if you are moving house and you're even a little bit concerned about how to move a washing machine into the new property safely, then you should call in the professionals. We do this every day and have the experience, the skills, and the know-how to safely prepare, pack, move, and place your washing machine and other heavy appliances.
Contact us today for a free quote and to discuss all of your appliance moving needs.
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