Moving a washer and dryer is a complicated process, and we often overlook specifics. Before you sell your home, decide whether you will be moving your appliances and make a plan. Often, sellers will decide to lump these large appliances into their closing instead. If you’re bringing your washer and dryer from your old house to your new home, follow these tips to safely and correctly prepare for moving a washer and dryer. Also keep in mind when moving a washer, it is an extremely heavy appliance and requires multiple people. However, depending on how accessible the appliance is, moving a dryer is much simpler as it weighs much less.
Steps to prepare moving a washing machine
Make sure you clean and safely pack your washer. Upack.com has great step-by-step instructions. The most important detail is following the owner’s manual to secure the drum in place. It is very important to keep the drum stable, or else it will get destroyed on the moving truck. If the drum becomes compromised, your washer is as good as useless until you pay for an expensive repair. If you do not want to handle the drum yourself, a professional moving company can arrange this service for you.
To finish preparing the unit, safely disconnect the power and water. The water tubes may still have water in them, so be mindful for spills. Place all the tubes inside the washer so they do not get lost. Duct tape the door shut as well as any openings or areas that need to be secured. Protect the unit by wrapping it with moving blankets or paper padding and strapping everything in place. Again, ask your moving company in advance if you need assistance with this process.
Steps to prepare moving a dryer
When moving a dryer, disconnect the power and gas if applicable, and disconnect the vent pipe. Secure all the cords to the dryer by wrapping the unit in shrink wrap. If you are moving a dryer that is electric, it’s easy enough to unplug it from the wall, disconnect the vent and wrap and secure it to the body of the dryer. If you have a gas dryer, you will need to contact a licensed plumber or work through your moving company as it can be extremely dangerous. In that case, ask your mover to plan this service for you. For step by step directions from Dolly.com, check out How to (Safely) Move a Washer and Dryer.
Other considerations for moving appliances
When planning, consider the locations where you will be moving the washer/dryer in your new home. Will you have you lift it up or down a flight of stairs? Are you able to lift the machine? If there are doubts in your mind about being physically able to move them, you may want to enlist help from professions: moving a washer and dryer is no small task.
At Olympia, we can manage this for you. If you’d like to avoid the added stress of prepping your washer and dryer unit, let your Olympia Move Coordinator know you will need help with these specialty items.
If you need to help moving a washer and dryer and/or the rest of your home, request a free moving estimate.
(800) 222-4744
