Moving A Washing Machine: Step-By-Step Guide
Jan 04, 2023
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 97% of households in Australia have a washing machine. These washing machines are heavy appliances weighing anywhere between 68- 90 kg and are also big, ranging from 23 to 33.46 inches.
Therefore, when you have to move these appliances when relocating homes, it can be a tough task. To make this easier, you should hire professional
Perth removalists to help you, as these experts are well-experienced in handling and carrying these bulky appliances. However, if you are moving these machines on your own, you should get a little help as well as follow the step-by-step guide below:
Precautions
Before you begin moving your washing machine to your new home, here are some precautions you must note:
- Ensure you use strong rubber gloves when lifting the washing machine and lift from your knees to avoid sprains and injuries.
- Get some additional help, so you do not lift the bulky machine on your own.
- Make sure you pack and disassemble your washing machine properly before moving it, or you could damage it.
- Take measurements of your new home to see if your washing machine will fit.
- Remember to unplug the power cord, or you could get an electric shock.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Read The Manual
Removalist experts in Perth recommend that you start by first looking through your machine’s user manual. This will help you understand what steps are necessary to protect your machine and if there are any other precautions, you must take. If you can’t find your user manual, you can either call the manufacturer or search on Google with these keywords:
[brand of washer] + [model of washer] + user manual
2. Gather All Supplies
Once you have read through all the instructions, you must gather all your packing and moving supplies to make this process easier. Removal professionals in Perth suggest that you arrange the following:
- 3-4 thick padded blankets to protect your furniture when moving.
- Moving ropes and straps to hold the blankets in place and to keep the machine secure on the truck.
- A utility (2-wheeler) dolly to move the appliance from your home to the truck.
- Two buckets to drain the water from the machine
- Slip joint pliers to detach the pipes and transit bolts
- Cardboard to keep your drum from getting damaged
3. Clean Your Machine
Once you have all your equipment ready, you can start the process by cleaning your machine. Do a scan with your hands and remove any socks, clothing, or coins stuck inside. Next, run your washing machine with detergent and water to remove dirt and clean your drainage pipes. Next, leave your machine open to dry for at least 48 hours, so there is no smell or foul odour.
4. Turn Off The Power
Next, most importantly, you should unplug your power cord and disconnect your machine from the power supply before you start disassembling it. If you need help determining where the power chord is, you can either check the manual or hire removalists in Perth to help you dismantle and pack your machine.
5. Disconnect The Water Valve
Now, you must use your slip joint pliers to turn your local water valve clockwise to shut off the water supply. This valve is mostly located at the back of the machine itself.
6. Drain Your Pipes
Next, drain your hot water and cold water hoses to dry out your washing machine.
- Use your joint pliers to dismantle your hot water hose and empty the water into a container.
- Do the same with your cold-water hose and use another container to empty the water.
- If your machine only uses cold water, you must drain only the cold-water hose.
7. Disconnect The Hoses
Once you have drained your pipes, you must use your pliers to disconnect the hoses from the back of the machine. Keep these hoses in a plastic bag and label them “Washing machine hoses”, and then tape this to the back of your machine.
8. Dismantle Your Drainage Pipe
Besides the water pipes, your machine will also have a drainage pipe that empties all the dirty water into the sewage. You should trace this pipe to its end, dismantle it with the pliers, and attach it to the bracket at the back of your machine. You can take the help of local removalists in Perth to help you find the pipe and the bracket so your machine doesn’t get damaged.
9. Lock The Transit Bolts
Next, you must look at your manual and find your transit bolts to help lock your drum. Install these bolts in the openings at the back of your washing machine and turn them slightly to hold the drum in place. If your machine does not have transit bolts, you should put cardboard or padding to cover the sides and bottom of your drum so that it doesn’t get damaged in transit.
10. Pack Your Washing Machine
Now that you have dismantled your machine, you should wrap it with blankets to keep it safe from getting scratched and damaged.
- Use 3-4 thick blankets that are strong enough to protect your machine but are not coarse so that they do not scratch your machine.
- Make sure all the sides and the front and back of your machine are wrapped with the blankets, and use moving straps to hold them in place.
11. Load Your Machine
Next, you should
hire professional removalists or ask two friends to help load your machine onto your utility dolly. You should do this in the following ways:
- Start by tilting the machine slightly backwards, then slide the utility dolly underneath it.
- Keep the dolly secure on the ground by using the moving straps.
- Next, tilt the dolly back till the machine is secured to the dolly and then fasten it with the moving straps.
- Make sure the machine is securely fastened to the dolly, and then start wheeling it out.
- Wheel your machine on the dolly in an upright position and load it onto the moving truck.
- Lastly, use moving straps to keep your machine secure on the truck and get ready to shift it to your new home.
Conclusion
It is important that once you move your washing machine to your new home, you must first take out the transit rods and assemble all the pipes and hoses. Plug in the machine and run one cycle to see whether it works properly. It is always safer to get professional removalists in Perth to help pack and move your washing machine to
avoid any injury or accident and damage to the machine and yourself.
