Changing your place of residence requires solving a multitude of logistical problems, and the most difficult of these is often transporting large household appliances. Washing machines are not only large in size, but also heavy, which makes moving them dangerous for an untrained person. A competent strategy for moving a washer will protect expensive equipment from critical damage. Owners sometimes do not realize how heavy it can be.
Why Moving a Washer Upstairs Is Challenging
Carrying a load up a flight of stairs is fundamentally different from transporting items across a flat floor. To move a washer up the stairs, you need a couple of strong people working in sync. The main problem lies in the design: inside the body there is a heavy concrete counterweight block that shifts the center of gravity. Because of this, the appliance loses stability when tilted.
What You Need Before Moving a Heavy Washer
Be sure to wear rubber-coated gloves so your hands don’t slip on the metal. It is critical to find or purchase transport fasteners to lock the internal moving parts. The laborious task of moving the washer upstairs is no longer a problem if you have quality rigging equipment.
If you are not confident in your physical fitness or do not have the necessary equipment, a reliable moving company in LA will take on this job for you. A hand truck equipped with straps will be your main helper.
Safety Tips to Move a Washer Upstairs
Strict adherence to proven algorithms will help minimize risks.
- Disconnect and Drain
Start by completely disconnecting the appliance from the power supply. Then turn off the water supply valve. Disconnect the inlet and drain hoses, draining any remaining liquid into a prepared container. Remember that there is always water inside the system.
- Install Shipping Bolts
The factory design requires the tank to be securely fastened during transport. Find the bolts that came with the appliance when you purchased it. They need to be screwed into the technical holes on the rear panel.
- Wrap the Appliance
Reliable “armor” made of packaging materials will help preserve the appearance of the appliance. Wrap the machine in special quilted blankets. Secure them with stretch film or wide tape.
- Use an Appliance Dolly
Manual carrying is only acceptable in extreme cases; it is better to use a two-wheeled trolley. Place the lower platform under the base of the washing machine. Carefully tilt the body toward you, transferring the weight to the wheel axle. The most important thing: tighten the straps around the body, attaching the appliance to the trolley frame.
- Lift with Your Legs
Following the biomechanics of movement will save your lower back. It is strictly forbidden to lift weights by bending your back in an arc. Squat down, keeping your spine straight, before you start lifting. The momentum should come from the powerful muscles of your thighs and legs.
- Work as a Team
Lifting to the floor is not a task for one person. You need a physically strong partner. If you don’t have an assistant, use the services of washer and dryer movers in Los Angeles — a professional team will do the lifting for you. Divide up the responsibilities: one person goes up first, facing backward, and the other goes up second. The person at the top guides the cart and monitors the angle of incline. The person at the bottom pushes the platform upward, preventing it from rolling backward.
- Clear the Path
Remove any obstacles from the stairwells. Shoes, rugs, or children’s toys should be removed. Provide bright lighting along the entire route. You must be able to clearly see the edge of each step. Check that the railings are securely fastened.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving a Washer
Haste and overconfidence often lead to common mistakes. Exclude the following actions from your plan:
- transporting with an unsecured drum (without bolts);
- working alone without a safety partner;
- grasping the body by the fragile plastic elements of the control panel;
- transporting without first draining the water from the pump;
- refusing to take preliminary measurements of openings.
Such oversights often result in costly repairs or a visit to the doctor. Attention to detail will save your budget.
Final thoughts
Transporting heavy household appliances is a test of endurance and attentiveness. Following the instructions will allow you to pass it successfully. However, sometimes it is wiser to leave this burden to the professionals. 5 Points Moving has a team of experienced movers and specialized transport. Our specialists know all the ins and outs of handling delicate electronics. During the move, you will probably also need to move the dryer and connect it in your new laundry room. Our technicians will install it and connect all the utilities.
