How To Lift & Install Heavy Appliances

If you are moving heavy appliances, like washing machines, safety is key.

Whether you're rearranging your home or moving to a new location, moving furniture can be a tricky and dangerous exercise. If not done correctly, you risk injury to your back, neck, legs and feet by lifting heavy appliances such as refrigerators, televisions or dishwashers. Similarly, installing the appliances in their new locations can be just as difficult; you need to place them perfectly and have all of the equipment you need, or else you may need to just move everything again. Follow some basic tips regarding the lifting, moving and installing of heavy appliances to keep yourself safe and keep the work to a minimum.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy gloves
• Hand truck
• Dolly
• Moving strap
• Installation equipment

Instructions

Lifting

1. Wear heavy gloves when lifting and moving heavy appliances. Many injuries occur when objects slip out of people's hands thanks to a slippery or weak grip. Gloves will enable you to get a better handle on the equipment and make you less likely to drop things.

2. Use hand trucks and dollies to lift and move the furniture. Many moving companies or rental companies will loan these tools out to those who are rearranging or moving. The hand trucks enable you to use leverage to lift the appliances, taking a lot of strain and pressure from your muscles; the dollies will allow you to push the equipment more easily.

3. Employ straps when moving heavy equipment. These straps, available from many moving and rental stores, slide under heavy appliances, making it easier to lift and carry them or to place them onto dollies.

4. Get help from a friend or family member. Do not try to lift heavy appliances on your own, or else you risk serious injury.

Installing

1. Place your installation equipment near the area where you will install the appliance. This can include a tool box, piping, power cords and other equipment. If you have all of these materials ready when you arrive to install the appliance, it will make the job go faster.

2. Place the appliance carefully in its new home so that the cords are near sockets and drains are near pipes. Having to adjust, turn, lift or move the appliance multiple times so that you can install it correctly will only create a higher risk of injury.

3. Get help from a friend or family member. Even if the person is only present to hand you tools or provide support, it is safer to have someone nearby in case of an emergency when working with heavy appliances that may require high amounts of gas, water or electricity.

Tips & Warnings

• Never try to lift heavy appliances if you have previous injuries.

References

• Apartment Ratings: Safety Tips When Lifting Heavy Furniture and Appliances
• Home Improvement: Installing Home Appliances