Large appliances demand special attention during a move. Therefore, you need to protect yourself from injury and your floors and walls from abrasion and scratches. The guidelines below simplify the appliance moving process.
Clean and Prep the Appliances Beforehand
Prepare the appliances early to have an easier time on moving day. For example, a refrigerator with a frosted freezer unit can complicate your move. Thus, unplug and leave the fridge to defrost at least 24 hours before the move. Next, drain the ice maker and clean and dry all surfaces. Finally, do not forget to secure racks to keep them in place while in transit.
Then, clean and empty the dishwasher, and ensure it is dry before you seal the door. If you are uncertain of how to disconnect any appliance, consult the manufacturer or the manual. For example, gas stoves need special handling, so call the gas company for assistance. Similarly, you need the right parts to secure the drums of your washer and dryer. If you can’t find the original components, contact the manufacturer for replacements.
Remember to secure cords at the back of each appliance with packing tape. Keep in mind that movers are not certified technicians, and you can’t expect them to know how to deal with your appliances. Therefore, get help from professional technicians and let movers focus on moving the appliances.
Plan the Route
Measure the hallways, door openings, and appliances. These measurements help you plan a route that reduces the chances of the items bumping into walls and floors. Also, the dimensions of the appliances let you know if they will fit in your new home. Additionally, you may need to look for alternate exits like sliding patio doors. Next, clear the route and keep it free of obstacles until moving time.
Clean the Floors
Debris, stones, and dirt become abrasives when you move appliances across dirty floors. You also risk unsightly marks or scratches, especially if you have tile, hardwood, or vinyl floors. What’s more, the increased friction from foreign objects makes it harder to glide bulky items. Thus, mop, vacuum, or sweep the pathway.
Use the Right Equipment
The right moving equipment can be the difference between a frustrating moving experience and a quick and efficient one. First, rent a utility dolly from a local moving company or get one from an improvement store.
Dollies feature supportive backs, handles, and wheels to make it easy to move bulky and awkward items like refrigerators. However, do not just place the appliance on the dolly as it can fall off as you maneuver through your house.
Instead, secure the items with moving straps to keep the appliances in place. Handcarts are also helpful when you move large appliances.
Furniture sliders fit under large appliances to ensure they glide effortlessly across the floor. Moreover, these plastic guards cushion the floor from abrasion. Additionally, get moving blankets to protect the items from dust and scratches.
Get Help
Moving large appliances is not a simple task. You risk injury when you move bulky items up and downstairs and past narrow hallways. Moreover, identifying the ideal route to get the items out of your house takes time.
While you can ask family and friends, professional help from seasoned movers is often better. Movers protect your equipment from damage as they have all the necessary moving materials. What’s more, their efficiency keeps you on schedule and gets you to your new home quicker.
The relocation specialists at Fairfax Transfer & Storage provide all the assistance you need to move your appliances safely. Contact us today for a no-frills, guaranteed quote.
