Help me keep things clean and dry

February 13, 2014 2:46 PM

For reasons, I have to pull a stackable washer/dryer set out of the closet it's installed in, and I have to do it by myself. I want to learn from your mistakes.

The door is taller than the stack, so I can remove them as a unit if I prefer. Here are the complications:

1. The units are almost exactly the width of the doorframe (with the door removed); I witnessed the installation, so I know the units will fit, but barely;

2. There is no room whatsoever to squeeze/reach around to the back of the units for disconnecting, and no access panels, so I can only climb the stack and hang down the back of the units. In theory I can unstack the dryer first (so I don't have to reach down as far) but it's just me and I haven't been able to find a rental AllDolly or similar to pull it out onto;

3. Assuming I manage to disconnect it and use an appliance dolly to pull both units out, it'll be onto a hardwood floor. My assumption is that the drain and water lines are the only places where water will leak, but I fear I'll park 'em off to the side and move 'em the next day only to find a huge puddle and a ruined wooden floor.

If you've been through something like this and have some tips, please advise.

posted by davejay to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Movers often use a rug/blanket type thing with handles for two people to move things like this. It can get into the cramped space to move them and it allows them to lift them while standing straight up. I think they are called something like hump straps.

Try uhaul for renting or buying moving blankets.

It takes time for water to ruin a floor. As long as you clean it quickly there should be no big issue.

Typically new condos have a main water cutoff. Often it is located near the ceiling in a closet so it doesn't end up behind appliances.

have a bucket handy to put the hoses in when disconnected so the residual water empties into that rather than the floor.
posted by srboisvert at 3:26 PM on February 13, 2014

Might be worth your while to take the trim off before you do it. It will make the opening wider and you'll protect the woodwork.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:56 PM on February 13, 2014

When you are shimmying the W/D in its tiny enclosure to move out, it is highly likely that one time it will move more than you think and you will smash your fingers. Hopefully this will not require a hospital visit.
posted by efalk at 5:00 PM on February 13, 2014 [2 favorites]

When we had our townhouse inspected prior to its sale we were advised to get a pan under the stackable washer-dryer unit in case of leaks. I confess, we have not done it yet.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 5:52 PM on February 13, 2014

Do these things need to stay intact? Washers and dryers are surprizingly easy to disassemble, and their outer casings will bend sufficiently to be much more easily removed. NOTE: Taking the drum out of the washer will reveal really gross stuff that you did not need to know about, especially thinking about how your clothes were swishing around in the grossness.
posted by kellyblah at 7:59 PM on February 13, 2014

Rent an Air Sled, it's a little hovercraft for moving appliances. Makes moving anything a one-man (one finger!) job. This is assuming the hoses are long enough to extend to the hallway so you can then disconnect.
posted by Diddly at 10:13 PM on February 13, 2014 [1 favorite]

To avoid fearing leaks forming overnight, look under the washer after you've moved it.

You might want to pick up some caps for the wall hookups in case they drip.
posted by yohko at 5:06 PM on February 14, 2014