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Moving home is about as stressful as it gets. Our homes are an extension of ourselves; they anchor our identities to something physical. So, when we remove this anchor, it’s unsurprising that we feel a little lost. And, you know, it doesn’t help that we have a million and one things to do, either.
Of all the things that you might dread trying to move, large appliances could well top the list – they’re heavy, awkward and, frustratingly, it’s not even clear whether you can take them with you or not.
What appliances can I take when moving home?
Whether you can take an appliance with you when you move home can be a bit of a head scratcher. Why? Well, it all boils down to whether it’s a fixture (something you have to leave) or a fitting (something you can take). While fixtures are bolted to the floor or wall, fittings are freestanding, or hung by a hook. There might be a slight grey area when it comes to determining what’s a fixture and what’s a fitting, so here’s a useful way of thinking about it: if you turned your home upside down, everything that hits the floor is a fitting.
How to move your kitchen appliances safely
In order to move one of these machines from your kitchen, first, you will need to disconnect it. This isn’t a straightforward task, so we would recommend calling a plumber to disconnect the appliance ahead of time, or getting a removal company to help you.
Washing machines should come with shipping bolts to stop the drum getting damaged in transit. Make sure these are in place before you leave. Further, all large appliances such as these must be stored upright in the removal van.
Before you’re able to move your fridge, you will first need to empty it and clean it. Once ready, you can then turn it off and prepare to move it. The main thing to keep in mind when moving your fridge is allowing it to settle when reaching your new home, that is, wait at least 24 hours before turning it on. This is because you need to make sure the compressor oil hasn’t leaked into the system.
Before moving your freezer, you will need to give plenty of time to allow it to defrost once you’ve turned it off. Try to avoid chipping off too much ice, as you may simply damage the appliance. Instead, just leave the freezer door open, and place plenty of old towels down to soak up the water. Once you’ve cleaned out the freezer, be sure to leave the door ajar to stop any mould growing.
While it’s quite rare to find a freestanding oven, if you happen to have one, then you will need to make sure that it is disconnected and reconnected by a Gas Safe engineer. Gas is extremely dangerous to deal with, so make sure you call upon professional engineers like the team here at Domex.
What else do I need to know about moving kitchen appliances? Quick tips:
- If you want to take a particular fixture with you when you move, be sure to expressly reserve the right to move it before you exchange contracts.
- Freeze a meal before your move-in day so you’ve got something to eat at the end of the big move.
- When it comes to moving your fridge, be sure to remove any glass shelves and pack them separately. Use tape to keep the doors shut, too.
What should I do if my items are damaged in transit?
The last thing you need to find out at the end of your move, but it’s not uncommon for kitchen appliances to get damaged on long journeys. If you were one of the unlucky ones, don’t stress, Domex can help. We offer quick and efficient appliance repair to customers across London and the South East. Domex is fully Gas Safe and F-Gas registered, as well as being a member of the Domestic Appliance Service Association, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands.
Moving house is also a really good time to register your kitchen appliances if you haven’t already done so.
For more information about how we can help with broken appliances, give us a call today.