BravoFilipino | 4 Practical Tips for Moving with Major Appliances | Moving homes is often an exciting but highly stressful time for a household. This has been especially true during the tumultuous year that was 2020. So as we enter a brand-new year, the prospect of living in a new space presents boundless possibilities. However, it also still comes with a good number of significant logistical hurdles.
When it comes to moving, you have to be able to transport everything you own in a safe manner so that you can continue to enjoy the same comforts while settling into your new address. This doesn’t seem like such a big deal if you’re only moving small, relatively inexpensive items that can tolerate a bit of rough and tumble, such as your house clothes and beddings. However, moving can be a bit of a conundrum when you get to the task of transporting major appliances from your old home.
How can you make sure that large appliances like your refrigerator, television, washing machine, or oven will be able to make it to your new address in one piece? Below, we share 4Ps that households—and the movers they’re working with—should remember when moving large appliances.
Pack the Appliances Correctly
The first step in safely moving your large appliances would be to uninstall them from your old house and pack them well for the journey. Here are some specific instructions for particular appliances:
- Washing machine – In the Philippines, a washing machine is a must-have for a regular household. While washing clothes by hand is still an option for many people, using a machine to take care of the entire family’s clothes is simply a faster and more convenient option. When preparing your washing machine for the move, make sure that the appliance is disconnected and drained properly. If it comes with a dryer, clean the lint screen as well to reduce fire hazards in your new home.
- Stove – Before moving the stove, clean it thoroughly first so that you can handle it without having to worry about stains or slippery liquids. If the stove has removable parts, store all these in a single container so that they won’t get lost during transit.
- Refrigerator – First of all, clear the refrigerator by disposing of all its perishable contents. Next, clean it thoroughly, including all the removable parts, and empty the water reservoir. Once dry, pack all the loose items in a single box so you can easily see and attach them once you’ve arrived at your destination.
- Microwave oven – This unit should be packed in a cushioned box. The glass tray should also be packed separately to prevent it from breaking or inflicting any damage to the appliance during transit.
Make sure to secure all the cords and hoses connected to these appliances as well to prevent tripping accidents or damages during the move.
Plan Which Goes Where
Before you move your belongings, check out your new home and make a plan for which items will go where. Take accurate measurements of the new space and your current appliances to see if these fit together. If there are snags, such as if your refrigerator is too big for the existing space in the new home, then you have to make adjustments. Either you modify the space, get a refrigeration unit that suits the allotted space, or reorganize the room.
Having a plan can help you decide how you’re going to organize the rooms in your new home. It will also let you give detailed instructions to the people who are helping you move. If the movers are able to place the right appliances in the right locations, then you won’t have to exert a lot of effort to do this yourself in the future.
Prepare a Path for the Movers
Even with a plan on hand, you have to expect a little bit of chaos in your new home as your items and belongings begin to arrive. Stay on top of this busy event by being present and directing the people where they need to place your items. While this is happening, take care to leave enough walking space for the people carrying your big-ticket items to their proper locations. Anything that shouldn’t take up space in the middle of the room should be placed to the sides, and the floor should be cleared of items that can cause trips, slips, or falls.
Prior to Using Them, Check the Appliances First
Once the appliances have been placed in their proper locations, it’s important to check if they were able to survive the trip with minimal damages. Check that the appliances that have drains, like the washing machine and dishwasher, are connected to a proper drainage system. This way, you can avoid leaks and indoor flooding that can damage your home and compromise the health of your family.
When Is It a Good Choice to Leave Your Major Appliances Behind?
Take note, though, that bringing all your large appliances with you to your next home may not always be the best and most practical option. If your appliances don’t fit your new home, or if they’re too costly to move, then you’re better off investing in new furnishings that will suit the changing needs of your family and are better suited to the new environment you are living in.
