So, you’re moving to a new home and wondering which of your appliances to take with you. No problems. It could be a good idea under the right circumstances, provided you plan ahead and take the proper precautions. Let’s talk about some do’s and don’ts.
1. Check Whether Your Current Appliances are Worthwhile Moving, Whether Your New Place Comes with As Good or Better Appliances than Yours & Whether your Contracts Allow You to Move Appliances
If you have a bunch of older appliances that do not work very well, it may not make sense to take the trouble of moving them. But perhaps you have new appliances or ones that you are particularly attached to (maybe they serve some specific function that’s hard to find or have sentimental value?) – make a list and carry on. For a list of appliances you can and can’t repair, call the team at https://nationwideappliancerepairs.com.au/
On the other hand, if your next place has newer or at least comparably functional appliances to what you currently have, why take the effort to move bulky units?
It may be the case that you are not allowed to move major appliances by contract. For example, some houses or condos may be sold with the appliances in them – esp. things like washer/dryer, dishwasher, microwave, stove and refrigerator. Make sure what you are allowed to move before planning.
2. Take Measurements of Your New Place to Ensure that your Appliances can be Moved, Check all Electrical Outlets for Compatibility and Functionality and Scout the Angles and Inclines
Before you start moving bulky objects, measure the doorways and access points at your new house. Make sure that your old appliances can be safely transported. Similarly, measure your kitchen cabinets and other spots where your old appliances are to fit. If you don’t have enough space for that large fridge or the extra wide dishwasher you have, there’s no point in taking them with you unless you are planning to remodel the kitchen for the sake of an old appliance.
If your old appliances are going to a specific spot, make sure that the electrical outlets are working, so that your appliances can be plugged in to readily function there. You don’t want to discover a remodeling job after you have lugged your old appliances across.
The team at Quality Appliance Repair based in Perth can help you with advice on moving your appliances and also provide repairs if needed. You can also call them here:
As you prepare to moving appliances into your new house, make sure you have scouted the floors and passageways to see if there are any tricky inclines or angles. The last thing you want is a surprise when you are wheeling in an appliance.
3. Make Sure You have Proper Supplies
A number of things are absolutely essential:
a) Floor Covering – You should not be hauling heavy appliances across the naked surface of your new floors, you will likely cause permanent damage. At the very minimum, you should have plenty of cardboard to lay over the floors. But this is usually not safe. Cardboard usually moves around loosely, which may in turn cause slippage and/or leave ruts or groove marks when you drag heavy objects over them. Much better to use old, discarded carpeting or, even better, short runner trolleys that you can use to move bulk around comfortably.
b) Securing Ropes – You will inevitably need to tie doors, frames and other parts of appliances with the main frame in order to secure them. Have plenty of them around.
c) Protective Blankets – These are a must. They need to be wrapped around appliances as extra protection around sharp edges, breakable corners and other spots.
d) Sliding Boards – Laying sliding boards down over your new floor, then using short trolleys to move heavy objects on top of them will protect your floor, save your back and make sure the appliances get there in working condition.
e) Moving Doily – Find a moving doily to help you transport heavy duty items like fridges, dishwashers and washer/dryers.
4. Clean your New Space, Use All Caution to Protect Your New Floor
Even with all the equipment, don’t skimp on protection. For example, if you have material you can lay down first (say old carpeting), put sliding boards down next and then use a runner trolley on top to move appliances – do so as long as the arrangement is stable. The triple protection will help keep your new floor unblemished.
While dragging your old furniture can undoubtedly damage floors, nick corners and scrape the paint, you may be asking for further trouble if there are buildups of dust, scum or other debris. These will not only cause impediments or slippage when you are trying to move bulky material over and through them, they may cause permanent marks or etches after you finish moving heavy furniture and/or appliances.
5. Separate the Easily Moved Appliances from the Heavy Ones
Microwaves, TVs, Computers and Toasters are examples of appliances that can be moved easily. There are a host of others that have to be specifically prepared for a safe move. For example:
a) Refrigerators/Freezers – Disconnect your fridge from its power source 24 hours prior to the move. Move all perishables out. Clean the inside thoroughly to ensure that there’s no moisture. Take out all movable parts inside and pack them separately. On the day of move, secure the door with rope or tape to keep it fixed. Coil and tape the power cord to the back. Wrap the body with protective blankets. Load it onto a moving doily – taking care to hold it upright, lest compressor oil leaks into the cooling mechanism. At the new place, let it stand for a few hours to allow the oil to settle before you plug it in.
b) Washers/Dryers/Dishwashers – Detach from power sources. Drain all water out and clean with a soft cloth – leave their doors open to thoroughly dry. Pack the pipes and cords by taping them securely to the back of the appliances so nothing gets damaged. Wrap each of the appliances with protective blankets, taping them in place to ensure moving parts are immobilized. Remove filters, racks and other movable parts and pack them separately. In the case of a washer, there may be special transportation rods to immobilize the drum during a move. If so, re-install them. You can take them out at your new spot. Load each appliance carefully onto the doily, taking care to hold them upright.
c) Stoves – Gas appliances are dangerous and should be disconnected at your end, then reconnected at the other, only with professional help. Besides that, the instructions are similar to the above. Remove all movable parts and pack separately. If there are glass surfaces, wrap them carefully with bubble wrap for protection. Wrap with protective blankets for protecting the appliance during move.
And MOST Importantly … Get Some Help!
While the above steps and directions are all good preparation for moving appliances, you should almost never attempt to move such heavy objects on your own. Enlist the help of friends, family or co-workers at the least. In an extreme case, call the professional movers. Not only will they know what to do, they have liability insurance in case something gets damaged.
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