Moving house is one of the most disruptive jobs a household ever takes on. In the rush of packing boxes and booking removals, it is easy to treat the washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher as afterthoughts. Yet they are some of the heaviest, most awkward and most damage-prone items in the whole move. Fortunately, most of the faults that show up afterwards are entirely preventable. As the team behind appliance repair in Ormskirk, we often see appliances that worked perfectly before moving house. Then they leak, rattle or refuse to spin the moment they are plugged in at the new address. This guide explains how to protect your appliances during the move. It also covers what to watch for when everything goes back on.
Why Washing Machines Suffer Most When Moving House
A washing machine looks like a solid box. Inside, however, the drum hangs on suspension springs, steadied by heavy concrete counterweights and shock absorbers. That design soaks up the force of a 1,400rpm spin. It is not built for the jolting of a van over speed bumps and kerbs. When you carry or drive the machine with the drum free to swing, that heavy moving weight batters the suspension legs. It also stretches the springs and can knock the wiring loom and hoses loose behind the tub. In fact, this is the most common reason a healthy machine arrives at a new home faulty after moving house.
Refit the Transit Bolts Before Moving House
Transit bolts lock the drum. They are long bolts that thread through the back panel to hold the drum solid for transport. Almost everyone removes them when the machine is first installed. Years later, they are usually lost in a drawer, which is why so many machines travel unprotected. If you still have yours, refit them before the machine leaves the old house. Then only remove them once it stands upright in its final position at the new one. If you have lost them, replacements for most makes are inexpensive. So it is well worth sourcing a set before moving house, rather than risking the drum bearings and suspension on the journey.
Drain the Machine Fully to Avoid Leaks and Hidden Damage
Water hides inside. Washing machines and dishwashers always hold some water in the pump, sump and hoses, even when they look empty. If you leave it there, that water can spill across the van floor during the move. Worse still, it can sit against the electronics and connections. So run the drain programme, then disconnect and empty the hoses. After that, clear the filter before the machine is loaded. This matters even more when moving house in colder months, because trapped water that freezes in transit can split a pump housing or hose.
What a Move-Damaged Machine Sounds Like Afterwards
Transit damage usually shows on the first wash. A loud rumble or grinding on the spin that was not there before normally points to jolted or worn drum bearings. Meanwhile, a machine that bangs and walks across the floor has usually lost the balance of its suspension. Alternatively, it may simply not be sitting level on its new feet. We cover both in our guide to noisy washing machine spin cycle faults.
A puddle on the first cycle usually means a hose has worked loose. If the machine fills but the water sits in the drum, our advice on troubleshooting a washing machine that won’t drain will help you trace it. Where the fault is genuine, a professional washing machine repair usually costs far less than a panic purchase of a replacement after moving house.
Tumble Dryers, Dishwashers and Ovens Need Care Too
Every appliance needs some care. Heat pump tumble dryers contain a sealed heat pump system. So move them upright, then leave them to stand for several hours before running them, which gives the system time to settle. Condenser and vented dryers are less fussy, but they still benefit from padding inside the drum. Dishwashers hold water in the sump and filter, just like washing machines. Therefore, drain and tip them out before loading.
Freestanding electric cookers and ovens travel best with the shelves, glass trays and loose parts removed or taped down. Otherwise, a heavy shelf can slide into the door glass during a sharp stop, which is a common and avoidable casualty. Finally, empty the bins and filters on vacuum cleaners and Dyson units. That way, nothing rattles loose inside the cyclone on the journey. A little preparation like this makes moving house far kinder to every appliance.
Reconnecting Everything Safely After Moving House
Do not assume a like-for-like swap. Older housing across Southport, Crosby and the surrounding towns often has plumbing and electrical layouts that differ from a modern build. Stand each machine on a firm, level floor. Then adjust the feet until it no longer rocks, because an unlevel washer or dryer vibrates harder and wears out its own bearings early. Next, check that the fill and drain hoses are seated correctly and not kinked behind the cabinet. After that, stay and watch the first cycle to catch any leak before it spreads. For general guidance on plugs, sockets and safe connections, Electrical Safety First offers helpful advice.
If you would rather have a machine checked over or a fault put right after moving house, our local engineers can help. We handle domestic appliance repair Southport and domestic appliance repair Crosby households alike.
When to Call an Engineer After Moving House
Some faults will not settle down. A machine that worked fine may come out of the move noisy, leaking, tripping the electrics or refusing to spin. If so, do not keep running it in the hope it improves. A small fault caused by a jolt can turn into a far bigger bill if you keep using the machine. A qualified engineer can tell whether a hose has simply worked loose or whether the bearings, suspension or control board are damaged. They will also give you an honest view on whether the repair is worth doing. To arrange a visit anywhere across Ormskirk and the surrounding parts of West Lancashire and Merseyside, call Appliance Repair Men on 01695 768 738. Alternatively, get in touch and we will help get your kitchen and utility room back in working order after moving house.
