Typically, a washing machine is installed once and for a long time. But a sudden breakdown, moving, or the desire for an extraordinary rearrangement force you to urgently think about turning off and preparing the machine for moving. You won’t be able to simply disconnect all the hoses and wires and transport the unit to a service center or a new home - you need to drain the water, dry the machine and secure the drum. We will tell you in this article how to dismantle a washing machine with your own hands according to all the rules.
Preliminary actions
The dismantling of the washing machine begins with preparation for disconnection from communications. First of all, we are talking about power supply, but only if you do not need to move the case to access the socket and plug. Of course, the machine to be switched off should not be in the process of washing, but ideally should dry well after the last cycle. Then we proceed in the following order.
We turn off the water supply tap on the water supply (as a rule, it is located on the pipes behind the washing machine or under the sink). Turn it clockwise until it stops. Most often, only cold water is supplied to the machine; if hot water is available, we repeat the procedure with the second valve.
We move the unit away from the wall, moving each edge forward one by one. If a built-in model is installed or the machine is too heavy and clumsy, use an extra pair of hands.
Calculate such a distance from the wall so that the supplied hoses are not in a tense state, and there is enough space for free access to the rear wall.
The machine is now ready for dismantling.All that remains is to prepare a few containers and rags to collect water, as well as a flat-head screwdriver, pliers and tape. All this will be useful when disconnecting the hoses, which we will discuss in detail later.
Preservation of the machine
It is necessary to understand that there is always water inside the washing machine, and if it is not drained, when tilted or jumping during transportation, the liquid will easily get on the wiring or electronic board. The consequences of such moisture are sad, so it is better to carefully “preserve” the machine. To do this we do the following:
We place the prepared containers behind the machine below the waterline, and spread the prepared rags around, be prepared for the water to spill and splash;
we check whether the water supply valves are closed; it is worth considering that you can easily turn the switches to the open position by accident;
wait about a minute after closing the valves for the pressure in the hoses to normalize;
remove the clamps on the inlet hose from both sides, lower it into a bucket or basin and drain the water.
To unscrew the hoses, you need to rotate them clockwise, and if this is difficult to do, use a flat-head screwdriver, wrench or pliers. Plastic nuts can only be removed by hand.
Attention! When using tools, we control the pressure force, since excessive force can easily strip the thread and damage the nut.
We repeat the procedure with the drain hose. There are several variations here depending on the existing drain. This could be a connection to a sink siphon, a hole in the floor, a public water supply, or a sewer built into the wall. The main thing is to turn the switch, turn off the water, loosen the clamp (if there is one, then the rubber gasket) and remove the hose. You can leave the machine alone and let it dry. During this time, pour out the drained water and wipe the floor dry. To avoid slipping when further preparing the washing machine for moving.
Preparing the car for transportation
At the final stage, we go around the washing machine from all sides and check that there are no more connected wires or hoses. It is immediately recommended to take the time to clean the pipes at the place where the drain is disconnected, for which we take a brush and thoroughly clean out all the dirt that has accumulated during operation. We wipe the powder receptacle dry, look at the drain filter and inside the drum. Also don't forget:
remove the power cord or place it in specially provided grooves, and for reliability, secure it with tape (then you won’t have to worry about accidentally disconnecting or damaging the plug);
unscrew the handles from the washing machine body;
close and seal the door and powder receptacle with tape;
secure the drum by inserting a V-shaped piece of foam into the tank, filling it with laundry, using special bolts or tightening the screws provided on the back wall of the housing.
Important! It is better to study the user manual supplied with the machine and read which method is most suitable for the existing model.
We complete the preparation by wrapping all parts, hoses, handles and cords in rags or paper. It would be a good idea to pack the washing machine in a store-bought polystyrene foam frame and wrap it in cloth or cardboard. All that remains is to transport the machine to the planned location, avoiding tilting, shaking and jumping.
A few tips
To make the process of dismantling the washing machine as simple and safe as possible, you need to do everything carefully, slowly and consistently. Avoid haste and initiative, and also pay attention to some tips.
Before disconnecting the machine from communications, secure all fasteners and joints with a marker.
If you photograph the sequence of actions, you can save time and nerves during reassembly.
Cracked or worn hoses and cords must be replaced.
It is difficult to dismantle the washing machine alone, since the machine weighs more than 50 kg and does not have ledges or handles that are easy to move.
After dismantling, it is recommended to leave the unit with the door and tray open for 1-2 days so that the connections with the hoses have time to dry.
The most important thing is don’t put off preparing for your move until the last minute and don’t be too lazy to study the instructions that come with your washing machine. Each booklet contains detailed instructions for dismantling a specific model, taking into account the features of the machine and its technical characteristics. Then the process will be quick, easy and without flooded neighbors.
Typically, a washing machine is installed once and for a long time. But a sudden breakdown, moving, or the desire for an extraordinary rearrangement force you to urgently think about turning off and preparing the machine for moving. You won’t be able to simply disconnect all the hoses and wires and transport the unit to a service center or a new home - you need to drain the water, dry the machine and secure the drum. We will tell you in this article how to dismantle a washing machine with your own hands according to all the rules.
To make the process of dismantling the washing machine as simple and safe as possible, you need to do everything carefully, slowly and consistently. Avoid haste and initiative, and also pay attention to some tips.
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