Moving Washing Machines and Water Heaters Without Leaks or Damage

The truck has arrived, the sofas are already on board, and then someone walks out of the laundry corner dragging a washing machine with the hose still attached and a puddle following it down the passage. That puddle is a small version of what happens when a plumbed appliance is lifted without preparation.

Washing machines, water heaters and similar appliances are full of parts that do not like being knocked: drums on springs, heating elements, thermostats, pipes and seals. They are also heavy for their size. Handle them in the right order and they arrive working. Skip the preparation and you may be paying a technician after the move.

This guide is for a whole-house move, where these appliances ride with the rest of the household load on a pickup van or truck. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance for your model, because the details differ.

Do the water and power work the day before

Everything starts with disconnecting properly, and that is easiest done in daylight with time to spare.

1. Switch off at the socket and unplug. For a water heater that is wired in, have an electrician isolate it. Do not twist wires yourself.
2. Close the water supply valve to the appliance.
3. Open the inlet hose over a bucket to release the pressure, then unscrew it.
4. Run the washing machine's drain cycle or lower the drain hose into a bowl to empty what is left in the drum and pump.
5. For a storage water heater, switch off power and let the water cool fully before opening the drain valve. Hot water scalds quickly.
6. Leave the door of the washing machine open for a few hours so the drum dries and does not smell on arrival.

Put a towel under every hose end while you work. Water on a tiled floor is how people fall while carrying heavy things.

Secure what moves inside the machine

Many front-loading and top-loading washing machines have transit bolts or a shipping kit that locks the drum for travel. If you still have them, refit them. If you lost them years ago, check the manual or ask a technician what the manufacturer recommends, because a drum that swings freely on a long road can damage the bearings.

Then:

• Tape the power cable to the back of the machine.
• Coil the hoses, tape the ends shut and place them inside the drum with a rag, so nothing is left behind in the old flat.
• Tape the lid or door shut with a soft tape that will not strip the finish.
• Take out loose items such as detergent drawers and put them in a labelled bag.

For a water heater, cap or tape the pipe openings so dirt does not get into the tank, and wrap the thermostat cover if it sticks out.

Keep them upright and keep them level

Fridges get most of the warnings about staying upright, but washing machines and water heaters deserve the same respect. Tilting a machine hard can send water in the pump or the heater tank to places it should not be, and laying a heavy machine on its side can stress the suspension. Move them standing, use a trolley or two helpers, and avoid pulling by the door or the lid, which are not handles.

On the truck:

1. Load the heavy appliances early, against the front bulkhead or a side wall, so the weight sits low and forward.
2. Place a folded blanket or flattened box under and around each one.
3. Strap them so they cannot slide, but do not crush the control panel against another item.
4. Never stack boxes on top of a water heater or put a washing machine on top of a mattress pile where it can tip.

If you also move a fridge, the same upright rule applies, and our guide on moving a fridge or freezer covers the waiting time before switching it on.

Offloading and reconnecting

At the new place, do not let the machine be carried straight to the wall socket. Put it in position, remove the tape and any bags from the drum, and check that the floor is level. A washing machine that rocks will walk across the floor during a spin cycle.

Reconnect water first, check each joint with a dry paper towel for drips, and only then connect power. Run a short empty cycle before trusting it with a full load. For water heaters, fill the tank fully before switching on so the element is never heating an empty tank. If anything looks off, stop and call a qualified technician.

If the new building has low water pressure or a tank on the roof, mention that to the technician or plumber early. It affects how the machine is connected.

How to do this on Sphere

Describe the appliances in the load when you request a truck or pickup van on Sphere: how many, which floor, and whether the building has a lift. Add that you want to agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer. Drivers can then decide whether a pickup van carries the whole household or whether a truck is the better fit, and accept your proposed price or send a counter-offer.

For the wider plan, see moving a four-bedroom family house. To start a request, visit Lagos house moving.