How to Move Major Appliances

Generally speaking, all appliances require plenty of people to be moved safely because of their extreme weight. An appliance dolly should be used with large appliances because of its front self-strapping feature and its attached rear stair roller. Movers who decide to not use a dolly but instead to carry an appliance should use gloves to protect their hands from the sharp edges of the metal skins underneath the piece.

How to Prepare Appliances for Moving

First, remove all loose things from the appliances you intend to relocate (including their shelves and drawers).

It’s a good idea to blanket wrap all of the shelves from an appliance together and tape them into a wrapped bundle so that they all stay together. Be careful not to lose any parts, shelves, baskets, or drawers of any appliance because they’re very hard (or sometimes even impossible) to replace.

Try to move the appliances without removing their doors because of the internal wiring. Be sure the doors are securely locked so that they won’t swing open unexpectedly on you.

If you have to remove a door in order to fit the appliance through a doorway, be sure to carefully save the parts.

Keep in mind though that after the appliance has been moved into your new residence with the door off, the door may be just too difficult for you to remount it. In such a case, a professional appliance repair person will be needed. So, if you have a large appliance that has to go through a narrow doorway, it’s wise to call a service technician to prepare it for that in advance.

How to Pull Appliances Out From the Wall

One of the biggest problems when moving appliances is pulling them out from the wall without damaging the floor.

One solution is to use teflon glides like “Moving Men” – tip the appliance up in front and place the glides under the front legs. Then grip the top of the appliance or put a strap around it and tip it slightly towards you as you pull it forward. The teflon glides under the front legs will not scratch the floor. And the tipping will lift the rear legs of the appliance off of the floor a bit so that they don’t scratch it either.

If you can’t find glides, fold a strong blanket, slip it under the front legs of the appliance, and do the same pulling out procedure as described above, with the front legs on the blanket. If the appliance is in a closet you can do the same thing but you’ll probably have to slip a strap behind it down low in order to pull it out enough to get a grip on it.

How to Carry Appliances

Once the appliance is out from the wall there are a number of ways to move it. You can tip it and pick it up and carry it at a 45-degree angle but be sure the appliance’s door(s) are on top so they don’t flop open unexpectedly. If you’re moving a tall double stove or a stacked washer dryer, don’t tip it backward to carry it because the appliance could break in the middle – tip it sideways instead!

It’s not recommendable to use a strap and carry an appliance on your back by yourself!

It’s always best to rent a strap-around appliance dolly and use it to move appliances, especially refrigerators and upright freezers.

How to Move a Refrigerator

Empty and defrost your fridge at least a day before the move (be sure to disconnect the ice maker a couple of days in advance). Remove all shelving and baskets and wrap them all together in blankets. Tape the cord up to the back of the refrigerator so it’s not in the way.

How to Move a Stove

You’re advised not to disconnect the gas line to your stove because of the danger involved – people have been known to get asphyxiated from gas fumes and homes have been known to blow up from gas leaks! Instead, just call the gas company and they will come out and disconnect your fixture and seal off the line – most times at no charge.

If you have an electric stove, just unplug it and tape the cord to the back of the stove.

How to Move a Washer

Washing machines should have all hoses disconnected and removed a couple of days before the move. If a faucet attached to the washer has become stuck open to any degree by corrosion over time, it could cause costly flooding. By disconnecting washers in advance of the move this problem will be discovered in time to be rectified.

How to Move a Dryer

Gas dryers should also be disconnected from the gas line by a professional serviceman. If the switch which closes the gas line should is accidentally left open, it could cause an explosion or a suffocation death! So use a trained professional to disconnect and reconnect gas. Also, plan to buy enough new exhaust tubing for the dryer’s new location to replace what you’ll leave behind for your old residence’s new occupants.

How to Move a Dishwasher

Be sure to empty all water from the unit a couple of days before moving it and disconnect all hoses. Check for leaks to avoid flooding.

All in all, moving appliances is a difficult and risky job. It’s best to hire professional movers to take care of your fridge, stove, washing machine, etc. – the experts will move your major household appliances in the safest and most efficient possible.