Moving tips Part 1 of 10: Moving Appliances Safely!
Professionally transporting appliances, especially those linked to water lines is probably one of the most overlooked/ignored moving tips . Give heed to this series of moving tips because PREPARING properly for your move is KEY to a safe and stress free move. This is part 1 of a series of moving tips,inspired by things that I have seen go HORRIBLY wrong during my career in the moving industry. I have worked at several different Atlanta moving companies and without a doubt I can invariable state that properly preparing for and being aware of the risks involved in moving certain items can avert a lot of problems on move day!
a) Moving tips for appliances and the inherent risks of water lines!
62% of insurance claims are from plumbing failure and/or a hose or pipe bursting according to a study done by RotoRooter USA
The unhooking of your washer/dryer from or to water lines does carry with it an inherent risk. Leaking or burst pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damages to property. A Rotorooter study found that 62% of household flooding insurance claims were due to plumbing failure or a hose or pipe cracking/bursting. According to Statefarm even a 3-millimeter crack can flood your home with 250 gallons of water per day and inaddition to the initial damage, water soaking into your walls can create ideal conditions for mold. 404Movers will hook and unhook washers for our customers as is the policy at most licensed movers. We do however point out in our terms of carriage that we do are a moving company and just that, a mover! We are not licensed plumbers or electricians and neither do we hold themselves out as such. This stance is again due to the risks outlined. Professional plumbers are licensed and trained in dealing with water lines. Some food for thought because after many years pipes corrode and degrade so the risk, though small, can cost BIG if it does happen!
b) Transit bolts for modern washers and dryers
Most modern washers (and some models of clothes dryers) come with moving or transit bolts. These bolts (usually made of plastic or plastic and metal) are required to be installed any time the appliances are moved and then removed before the appliance is used again once transported. Transit bolts prevent the tub inside the machine from moving around while the appliance is in transit. Failure to install these bolts before transit and failure to remove them before usage once unloaded, can cause damage to your machine’s suspension system and lead to motor failure. Unthinkable when one considers the cost of modern washers and dryers.
Transit bolts will protect your washer while it is in transit.
c) Refrigerators
Similar to the washer please make sure to have a professional disconnect any water lines connected to your refrigerator at before the movers arrive. We generaly recommend emptying and defrosting your refrigerator prior to moving it. The primary reasons for this is that if on longer moves the refrigerator may defrost while on the moving truck causing a mess and/or damaging your furniture and the moving van.
Refrigerator Moving Tips
Remember its not what you know, its what you do with these moving tips that counts!
