When moving house, we plan and schedule for things that take a lot of time. All of the stuff stored in the garage, clothes, sheets, and shoes.
We try to find suitable boxes to get all of our small electronics, gadgets, and books packed and secured and go through the plates, silverware, and glasses in the cabinets.
And yes, this is certainly something that we have to think about when moving. Quite often, we tend to overlook an essential part of the moving process. Preparing, safely loading, and transporting heavy furniture, appliances, and large instruments requires much preparation.
Take measures and plan
Before you begin the process of moving your furniture and appliances, you need to take their measurements.
This is not only important for supplying yourself with proper boxes and trucks for the move but also to confirm if you will be able to get them out of the property first easily.
Some appliances may not fit through the door. In such cases, you must either remove the door or look for alternative options to remove them from the property. Following the same scenario, you may have to disassemble your furniture. If you are not experienced, then perhaps the assistance of a handyman may be required.
Another aspect to consider is the type of appliances you will be moving. A refrigerator, washing machine, or dishwasher requires some prep work, especially if you will be storing them away. Allow them at least 24 hours to air-dry before closing them in a box or in a storage facility to prevent mildew.
Once you have the measurements and have made plans on getting all the stuff out of the property, it is time to move on and prepare the area and get some necessary equipment.
Use a dolly
To safely move your heavy appliances, getting yourself a dolly is essential. Being able to lift your heavy items and easily move them around will protect your floors and your items and, most importantly, reduce the possibility of injury. If you plan on moving heavy stuff, your back will thank you for getting a dolly!
An alternative to that is gliders. Once an appliance is tilted back, you can place the sliding pads underneath the feet of the unit to allow smooth gliding through your floors without damaging them. While they are not as convenient and flexible as the dolly, they will do the job. Especially if you are not planning on moving often, you can use them as a cheaper option.
Protect and clean the floors
Before moving any heavy items, ensure the floors are thoroughly cleaned. Any dirt, small rocks or other objects can cause scratches and damage your floors and valuables.
Vacuum, sweep, and mop the area under and around the appliances, as well as the path you will use to move them outside the premises.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned, it is time to add that extra level of protection. Using a dolly or glider may not be necessary, but it certainly won’t hurt to use the extra precaution.
You can use old blankets or sheets to ensure no scratches on surfaces after you are done. Cardboard is also an option that you can use. However, it tends to move a lot, so it may make your life a bit harder.
Invest in quality packing materials
Regarding large and heavy appliances and furniture, transportation is just as important as getting them out of your property.
Invest in proper packing materials and ensure you use enough to safely get your appliances to their new home.
The goal of wrapping the items is to minimise the movement during the ride, removing any possible damage caused by them bumping into the truck or each other, or simply to prevent them from falling over.
Properly packing your appliances for a move is not an easy task. That’s why you may want to consider the help of house removals services, which will provide you with the packing materials you need and assist you with getting all your things packed and loaded.
Disconnect, clean and dry large appliances
Before packing your appliances, you must ensure they are properly disconnected, cleaned and dried.
The steps are similar if you are moving a dishwasher or a washer.
First, disconnect the appliance from the electric network and turn off the water supplies. Drain all the water that may remain in the hoses and the tub, and then thoroughly clean the outside and inside of the item with a soft cloth.
Check and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to secure the tub, as that will prevent damage during transportation.
Another common appliance is the fridge/freezer. Whether they are combined or separate, there are similar steps that you need to follow.
Start by removing everything that you have placed inside. You can use this opportunity to throw away food that has gone bad and consider giving away the one that may not last until you move to your new home.
Once empty, unplug the appliances at least 24 hours before you move. If you have a water reservoir, make sure that the line is disconnected and the water container emptied.
On the day of the move, remove all loose parts and clean them with a cloth or sponge. Dry them out and then do the same with the appliance’s interior.
For the oven and stove, it is a bit tricky. If you are unfamiliar with how they are installed or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, seek an electrician who will help you disconnect them. In the meantime, you can deep clean the oven and remove all removable parts.
Hire a house removals service for help
Working with removals services is the best way to ensure a move without damage. Most trustworthy movers offer packing supplies and bring plenty of professional experience when moving popular appliances.
Another big benefit is the moving insurance. Good removals businesses understand the risks involved when moving house, especially when it comes to heavy and big appliances. To guarantee the outcome, they offer insurance in case of accidents.
Conclusion
Moving large appliances usually requires some initial preparation.
You must get certain equipment to ease the process and protect your belongings and floors. Investing in tools such as dollies or gliders will save you a lot of time, effort, and potentially money for repairs.
If you have trouble organising your move, you can always trust a local removals company to help you pack materials, load and unload your heavy appliances, and move them to your new place.
