Washers and dryers are heavy, plumbed-in and easy to damage if you skip a step — and a washer moved without its transit bolts can wreck its own drum. Here's how to disconnect and move them the right way.
Turn off the hot and cold water valves, then disconnect the supply hoses (have a towel and bucket — water sits in the lines). Drain the hoses and the pump, and run a quick spin cycle empty to clear remaining water so it doesn't leak in the truck. Unplug the unit and coil the cord.
Front-load washers ship with shipping (transit) bolts that lock the drum in place. If you removed them at install and didn't keep them, the drum swings freely and road vibration can damage the suspension and bearings. Reinstall them before moving (order replacements if lost). Top-loaders are more forgiving but still benefit from a snug, padded load.
For an electric dryer, unplug it, disconnect and clean the vent hose. For a gas dryer, the gas line must be shut off and capped by a qualified, licensed plumber or gas technician — disconnecting a gas line yourself is a real hazard and against code in LA. We'll tell you honestly that this needs a pro rather than improvise it. Clean the lint trap and vent while you're at it.
Transport both appliances upright — laying a washer on its side or back can shift the drum and damage components. Strap the doors closed (or leave slightly ajar with the unit secured), pad the corners, and dolly them carefully, especially down LA stairs and walk-ups. Never lay a refrigerator-style appliance flat either.
Remove the transit bolts before the first wash (a bolted washer will bang violently). Reconnect water with fresh hoses if yours are old, check for leaks on the first cycle, and have a licensed tech reconnect any gas line. Our crews move appliances as part of a standard move, padded and upright — see our appliance moving and local moving details.
Yes — shut off the water valves, disconnect and drain the hoses, and run a short empty spin to clear standing water so it doesn't leak in the truck.
They're shipping bolts that lock a front-loader's drum in place. Without them, road vibration can damage the suspension and bearings — reinstall them before moving, or order replacements if lost.
No — move washers and dryers upright. Laying them down can shift the drum and damage internal components.
A qualified, licensed plumber or gas technician. Shutting off and capping a gas line yourself is a safety hazard and against code in LA — leave it to a pro.
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