How to Move Heavy Appliances & Furniture Without Damaging Flooring

How to Move Heavy Appliances & Furniture Without Damaging Flooring

Meet Ed

Instructor Ed Jones has over 30 years of experience in theindustry, has the title of MasterWater Restorer, is an Institute ofInspection Cleaning andRestoration Certification (IICRC)-approved instructor, and hasserved on the S500-2021consensus body committee todevelop the most recent standard.

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Back in my day when we had to move heavy furniture or appliances, we would just have two of our strongest technicians lift it and in the case of tile or hardwood flooring maybe lay down a piece of ¼” lauan or a blanket to try to protect the floor.  Now there are lots of professional tools and aids to not only make it where one technician can do move heavy objects but protect the flooring at the same time.  Too many times, we see workmanship issues from damaged flooring from the technician who is not properly trained on how to move heavy objects safely.  See some options below I found and we are testing at our IICRC approved ASD flood house:

Lever Dolly - Utilizes leverage to raise one edge or corner of the item, allowing for the placement of dollies or other equipment underneath. These dollies are designed with a long handle for leverage and wheels for maneuverability.

Appliance Dolly - a specialized hand truck designed to safely move heavy appliances.

Air Sled Appliance Mover - a device that uses low-pressure air to lift and move heavy appliances with minimal effort and reduced the risk of damage to the appliance or the floor.

Appliance Buddy/Mover/Slider - a tool used for easily and safely moving large appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers, while protecting floors from damage.

Moving Straps - These straps distribute the weight of the appliance across multiple lifters and body parts, reducing strain on the back and making it easier to navigate tight spaces, stairs, and doorways.

Furniture Slides - Typically a flat, smooth piece of material, often with a foam or cushioned side, that is placed under the legs or base of furniture to make it easier and safer to move.

In summary, to avoid allegations of damage to flooring and other objects, invest in some good tools to make it safer and easier for your technicians to move heavy furniture and appliances.  Don't forget to properly train your technicians before trying to use new tools and to always take photos of the object you’re moving prior and after moving to show any pre-existing damage and that you moved the object without damaging it.


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