| One of the most challenging parts of moving in and | | | | in particular, be sure to wipe off the wheels before |
| out of a home is the transport of appliances and | | | | loading on the appliance. Any dirt or gravel particles |
| heavy furniture. When changing out old and new | | | | can become ground in to the hardwood floors and |
| appliances as they need to be replaced, installers may | | | | cause pits. When moving them across a parking lot or |
| take care of this as part of the contract, but | | | | driveway on rolling carts, cover asphalt or cement |
| residents should observe the process so that | | | | with a clean tarp, canvas or sheet to prevent |
| hardwood and laminate floors are not damaged. | | | | damage to the floors. When traversing floating cork |
| Simply carrying it is the safest choice to protect | | | | floors, put down extra plywood covered in clean |
| flooring, but gathering a number of people together | | | | sheets to prevent damage. |
| to help is difficult to do. Heavy lifting is not advised | | | | Furniture |
| for anyone, so alternatives must be created to | | | | Heavy furniture, like couches and bedroom dressers, |
| protect the appliances, people and floor surfaces. | | | | are usually just moved across the room or down a |
| Once the item has arrived at its destination, its feet | | | | hallway. For hardwood and laminate flooring, they |
| should be put on rubber or plastic floor protectors. | | | | should not be dragged. Instead, these items can be |
| This will diminish or even prevent indentations in the | | | | carried by a handful of people to avoid scratches and |
| floor's surface, depending on the material type. | | | | gouges in the surface. When help is scarce, either a |
| Rollers | | | | cart or a little bit of creativity may be required. |
| Heavy appliances, such as refrigerators and washing | | | | Carpeting may become snagged when dragged if the |
| machines, should be moved with care. They rarely | | | | furniture feet are not smooth. One alternative for |
| have wheels on them. As a result, they need to be | | | | laminate or hardwood floors is to use several folds of |
| put on carts with wide wheels made of plastic or | | | | soft terrycloth or cotton as gliders. Turning the |
| rubber material. Do not use metal. The wider the | | | | dresser upside down onto a thick soft sheet or |
| wheels, the better. The cart can be large and flat | | | | blanket is another option when there is no help for |
| with four wheels or a tilting hand cart with two | | | | lifting. do not "walk" the legs across the floor if the |
| wheels. Be sure the device can hold the weight | | | | feet are made of metal or sharp plastic. |
| before attempting to move it. For hardwood flooring | | | | |