Direct answer
Prepare the washer and dryer as two machines with different hazards
A washer and dryer are ready to move only after the exact manuals have been checked, laundry is complete, water and power or fuel are safely isolated, residual water is handled, model-specific transport hardware is installed where required, and destination connections are verified. The washer’s suspension and retained water create different risks from the dryer’s electrical, fuel and exhaust systems. Even an all-in-one or stacked tower has separate installation requirements inside one cabinet.
Book the moving company for transport and an appropriate installer or trade for technical disconnection and reconnection. A mover should not cap gas, alter a receptacle, improvise a vent, repair a valve or decide how a missing transit bolt substitutes. Give the appliance moving service the model, dimensions, stairs, stacked configuration, fuel type, access and preparation plan before receiving a quote.
This article is a planning guide, not plumbing, electrical, fuel or repair instruction. Follow the exact manufacturer manual. Samsung Canada, for example, tells customers to save shipping bolts and spacers for future relocation on applicable front-load laundry products. GE model guidance can require shipping bolts to hold the tub stationary and a technician to remove water from pumps and hoses. Those facts illustrate model dependence; they do not mean one bolt set fits another machine.
- Identify washer type, dryer fuel, model and configuration.
- Use exact manuals for draining, transport hardware and installation.
- Separate moving labour from qualified connection work.
- Inspect and test connections before ordinary laundry resumes.
Three weeks out
Confirm the destination laundry space and compatible services
Measure washer and dryer cabinets, handles, doors and the approved transport configuration. Then measure every route opening, stair turn, elevator and the destination space. Record door swing, service clearances and access to controls. A pair may fit side by side but fail because a dryer door hits a wall, a stacked control is unreachable or hoses must bend sharply behind the washer.
Verify hot and cold water, shutoffs, drain type and height, floor stability, electrical receptacles, dryer fuel and exhaust route. Do not assume the new home matches the old one. A gas dryer cannot be treated as an electric dryer because a receptacle exists nearby, and a ventless heat-pump unit has different installation needs from a conventional vented dryer. Ask the landlord, property manager or qualified installer to confirm the actual setup.
For an upper-floor laundry room, check the manufacturer and property requirements for a drain pan, floor capacity, vibration control and building rules. Samsung’s Canadian installation overview tells customers to use a firm, level surface, preserve ventilation and connection space, and consider a drip pan above ground level for applicable equipment. The exact manual and building requirements determine what applies to your home.
- Measure machines, route and operating space separately.
- Verify water, drain, power, fuel and dryer exhaust at destination.
- Confirm side-by-side, stacked or pedestal compatibility.
- Resolve upper-floor property requirements before delivery.
Model and parts file
Locate transit bolts, stacking hardware and installation instructions
Photograph model labels and download official owner’s and installation manuals. Search for moving, transporting, shipping bolts, drain pump, winterizing, stacking, pedestal, venting, levelling and first use. Record the exact part numbers for transit bolts or braces. Do not buy a generic bolt set merely because the threads appear to fit; transport hardware is designed around a particular suspension and cabinet.
Inventory supply hoses, drain hose, hose guide, power cord, vent connector, clamps, stacking kit, pedestal fasteners, caps, feet and tools. Mark which components remain with the property, should be replaced, travel with the customer or must be installed by a technician. Keep transit bolts under named custody until the authorized person installs them, then photograph their final position.
If the original bolts are missing, contact the manufacturer’s Canadian parts or service channel using the model number. Some manuals direct owners to order replacements; others require a service technician. Do not stuff the drum with blankets as a substitute. Loose material does not secure the suspension and can leave moisture or debris inside. The general appliance preparation guide explains how to maintain the shared parts record.
- Download exact washer, dryer, stacking and pedestal instructions.
- Match transport hardware by model and part number.
- Inventory hoses, guides, clamps, caps and fasteners.
- Never improvise a drum restraint with household packing material.
Final laundry
Finish washing early enough to drain and dry the machines
Schedule the last wash and dry at least early enough to complete model-specific cleaning, draining and drying before the installer and crew arrive. Do not leave a wet load in the washer while packing other rooms. Empty detergent, bleach and softener dispensers as directed, and pack liquid products separately under the mover’s prohibited-items policy. A closed damp drum can develop odour during storage.
Run only a cleaning or drain cycle that the manufacturer instructs for moving or storage. Do not assume an empty spin removes all water from the pump, filter and hoses. GE guidance for an applicable laundry combo tells owners to ask a service technician to remove water from the drain pump and hoses before moving. Treat this as model-specific evidence to consult your own manual or service provider.
Dry the drum, gasket, dispensers and accessible filter areas. Leave doors or lids open for air circulation only while the machines are stable, supervised and outside the moving path. Later secure them by the approved transport method. Keep the laundry-room floor visible so a slow leak or residual-water spill is found before boxes cover it.
- Complete final laundry before technical preparation begins.
- Remove detergent and other liquids from mover transport work details as required.
- Use only model-authorized cleaning or draining cycles.
- Dry drums, gaskets and dispensers before securing doors.
Washer water
Shut off, disconnect and drain without forcing old valves
Identify hot and cold shutoffs and the property contact before touching anything. Close accessible valves only when the customer is authorized and comfortable doing so; use a plumber or installer for seized, corroded, leaking or unfamiliar connections. Unplug or isolate power as the manual requires before water work. Place a shallow container and towels under hose ends because residual water is normal.
Label hot and cold connections, inspect hoses and follow the installation plan for replacement. Samsung Canada recommends new water hoses with rubber gaskets for its applicable Laundry Hub installation rather than treating removed hoses as automatically reusable. Other models may have different specified parts. Never reuse a swollen, cracked or corroded hose merely to avoid a shopping trip.
Secure the drain hose using the model’s clip or holder without kinking it. Follow the manual for pump filter or emergency drain steps; filters can release more water than expected. Do not tip the washer toward a floor drain unless the manufacturer or technician directs it. If a valve or standpipe leaks after disconnection, stop and notify the owner, property manager or plumber before moving the machine.
- Identify authorized shutoffs and a leak-response contact.
- Control residual water with a pan and absorbent materials.
- Inspect supply hoses and follow model guidance on replacement.
- Secure the drain hose without kinks after complete draining.
Washer suspension
Install the exact transport bolts or braces before handling
Front-load washers and some combination units use transport bolts or shipping hardware to stabilize the suspension during relocation. The parts removed at original installation should have been retained. Install them only in the locations, order and torque described by the exact manual or have the manufacturer-authorized technician do so. Photograph the rear of the machine when complete.
A top-load washer may use different packing material, a shipping base or another transport procedure. Do not apply front-load instructions by analogy. GE’s Canadian combo manual states that its tub should be kept stationary using the shipping bolts removed during installation; Whirlpool manuals similarly describe rear transport bolts for applicable models. These examples prove that the model file matters, not that every washer has identical hardware.
At destination, the bolts must be removed before operation where the manual requires it, and caps or parts should be installed and stored. Starting a washer with transport hardware still engaged can cause severe vibration or damage. Put “remove transport bolts before test” on the installer’s handoff, not only on a sticker hidden behind the machine.
- Use only the exact model’s transport hardware and procedure.
- Do not transfer front-load assumptions to a top-load washer.
- Photograph installed hardware before the mover takes custody.
- Make bolt removal an explicit destination installer task.
Dryer energy
Distinguish electric, gas and ventless dryer preparation
Read the model label and installation to identify the dryer type. An electric dryer may use a dedicated high-capacity receptacle and a model-specific cord arrangement. A natural-gas dryer has a fuel connection that requires an authorized Ontario fuels contractor for applicable work. A ventless or heat-pump dryer may use drains, reservoirs or different clearances. The exterior shape does not reveal the full installation.
For electrical service, unplug only as the manual permits and inspect the visible cord and plug without dismantling them. A damaged cord, scorched receptacle or repeated breaker trip requires a qualified electrician or manufacturer service. Do not use an adapter or extension cord to make the machine reach. GE Canada’s installation service description explicitly excludes upgrades to electrical service and points customers to qualified work.
For gas service, verify a registered contractor through TSSA and coordinate disconnection before the mover arrives. The contractor, not the crew, handles the connector, shutoff and leak check. If gas odour is suspected, leave the area and follow utility or emergency instructions. Do not operate switches or search for the source to protect the moving schedule.
- Identify electric, natural-gas, propane, ventless or heat-pump configuration.
- Keep electrical upgrades outside moving-company work details.
- Use a TSSA-authorized fuels contractor for applicable gas work.
- Escalate damaged cords, scorched outlets or fuel odour.
Dryer exhaust
Remove lint, inspect the vent path and replace unsuitable connections
Disconnect the dryer exhaust only after the dryer is safely isolated and according to the installer plan. Photograph the old route and inspect the removable connector for crushing, tears, heavy lint or inappropriate material. Health Canada warns that lint in dryer screens and exhaust piping can ignite. Its indoor moisture guidance also says dryer vents should discharge outside, lint trays should be cleaned and outside exhausts kept clear.
Do not reuse a damaged or unsuitable flexible connector merely because it reaches the wall. Have the installer select a model- and code-appropriate vent connection and maintain required clearances. Never vent a conventional dryer into a room, attic, crawlspace or improvised container. In an Ottawa winter, include the exterior hood in the destination inspection because snow and ice can block appliance exhausts.
Clean the lint screen and accessible approved areas without pushing a tool into hidden ductwork. Building duct cleaning and common exhaust systems belong to the owner or property manager. A mover may carry the machine but should not certify the vent. Record who installs, checks airflow and confirms the exterior outlet before the first heated cycle.
- Photograph the original vent route and connector condition.
- Remove accessible lint using model-approved methods.
- Use a suitable exterior-vented connection at destination.
- Check the outdoor hood for snow, ice and obstruction.
Stacking and pedestals
Treat a laundry tower as an assembly, not one oversized box
Confirm whether the machines are a factory tower, field-stacked pair or separate units on pedestals. Locate the exact stacking kit, brackets and instructions. Do not assume a kit fits because the washer and dryer share a brand. Record which unit must be removed first and the team or lifting equipment required. Stacked machines can be top-heavy and should not be separated while unsupported.
Schedule authorized unstacking before moving day if the moving company does not perform it. Inventory brackets, screws and spacers in a labelled pouch. Inspect pedestal drawers and remove contents. A pedestal may need its own fasteners, and a raised installation can change the route height. Never use the stacked dryer or control panel as a lifting point.
At destination, verify ceiling height, side and rear clearances, control reach, floor stability and connection access before restacking. The qualified installer should use the approved kit and confirm stability. A crew placing two units in a laundry room has not completed a stacked installation unless that separate service is within its written work details.
- Identify factory tower, stacked pair, pedestals and exact kits.
- Book safe unstacking before the moving crew arrives.
- Bag and count brackets, spacers and fasteners.
- Verify destination height and service access before restacking.
Route and protection
Keep machines upright, dry and controlled on stairs
Clear the route of rugs, boxes, detergent, pets and bystanders. Measure doors, stairs, turns and elevator capacity using the machines’ approved transport dimensions. Protect flooring with load-appropriate, non-slip materials and control any residual water immediately. A wet laundry-room tile beside a heavy appliance is a preventable slip risk.
Close doors and lids using manufacturer-compatible restraints. Protect controls and finishes without blocking the mover’s grip or visibility. Keep machines upright unless the manual explicitly permits another orientation. Do not drag a washer by its hose, roll a dryer on its vent collar or lift a tower by a control panel. The moving company chooses rated dollies, straps and staffing.
Tell the crew leader where transit bolts are installed, which parts travel separately and whether the washer may contain model-expected residual water. The heavy-item access assessment can document tight basement stairs and condo elevators before pricing. If safe access depends on removing a door or railing, arrange authorization and the responsible contractor in advance.
- Clear and dry the route before handling begins.
- Measure approved transport dimensions through every turn.
- Protect controls while preserving safe grips and visibility.
- Disclose transit hardware and residual-water status to the crew.
Cold-weather moves
Drain for freezing exposure and allow model-directed acclimation
Residual water in a pump, valve, dispenser or hose can freeze in an unheated truck or storage unit. Tell the manufacturer or service technician the expected Ottawa temperature and exposure duration. GE’s applicable combo manual directs owners to drain inlet hoses and the pump filter when conditions may fall below freezing. Use the instructions for your exact machine rather than an improvised winterizing liquid.
Keep hoses and plastic components protected from impact while cold. Do not bend a frozen hose or immediately run a cold-soaked machine after delivery. Ask the manufacturer how long the model should acclimate and what inspection is required before installation. Condensation can also form when cold equipment enters warm, humid air.
If a winter delay extends exposure, update the installer and mover. A machine prepared for a short direct trip may need another plan for overnight storage. Keep the destination laundry arrangement flexible and do not schedule the first load until the equipment has warmed, been installed and passed checks under the model guidance.
- Tell the technician the expected temperature and storage duration.
- Drain model-specific water paths before freezing exposure.
- Do not add unapproved antifreeze or bend frozen hoses.
- Follow manufacturer acclimation before installation or testing.
Destination installation
Remove transport hardware, level the washer and rebuild connections
Inspect the floor, valves, drain, receptacle, fuel connection and vent before final placement. Compare the machines with departure photographs and count parts. The authorized installer removes shipping bolts where required, stores them for future moving and installs model-specific caps. Keep the bolts labelled in the home; original installers sometimes discard them unless the customer requests retention.
Install new or approved water hoses with correct gaskets and route the drain hose at the manual’s height and securement. Open water gradually and inspect every connection. Level the washer with all feet contacting a firm floor and lock them as directed. A machine that rocks before a cycle should not be stabilized by cardboard, wood scraps or a loose mat.
Connect the dryer using the correct electrical or authorized gas service and approved vent. Maintain clearances without crushing the vent or cord. Reassemble stacking kits or pedestals under their exact instructions. The installer should confirm leak-free water, stable placement, exhaust path and ordinary controls before the moving area is closed.
- Inspect destination services before machines enter the opening.
- Remove and retain model-specific shipping hardware.
- Install approved hoses and level on a firm surface.
- Rebuild electrical, fuel, vent and stacking systems through qualified work details.
Testing
Run controlled washer and dryer checks before the first full load
Use the manufacturer’s installation or diagnostic test, not an improvised full laundry cycle. For the washer, observe fill, hose connections, drain, spin and movement while keeping the floor visible. Stop for leaks, abnormal impact, walking, repeated error codes or a drain backup. Transport bolts left installed, poor levelling and connection errors need correction before normal use.
For the dryer, confirm the lint screen, door, controls and exhaust as the manual directs. The installer should verify venting and, for fuel equipment, the required connection and operation checks. Stop for fuel or burning odour, unusual heat, damaged cord, repeated breaker trip or poor exhaust. Do not keep cycling a suspected fault to see whether it disappears.
Document the test and any service response. Protect laundry until the machines are ready; a laundromat or support person may be a better temporary plan than using an uncertain connection. The first 48 hours checklist can coordinate other arrival priorities so laundry testing is not rushed while movers still occupy the room.
- Use the model’s commissioning or diagnostic sequence.
- Watch every washer connection during fill and drain.
- Verify dryer exhaust and applicable fuel checks.
- Stop repeated operation when a leak, fault or abnormal movement appears.
First month
Monitor hoses, levelling and dryer airflow after the move
Reinspect washer supply connections and the floor after the first cycle, the first day and periodically thereafter. Look for moisture, hose bulges, rubbing or a drain hose that has shifted. Confirm the machine remains level and stable. A slow leak can hide behind a pair, especially when boxes are stored in front, so keep access visible during the settling period.
Clean the dryer lint screen after each use and inspect the exterior vent periodically, including after Ottawa snow or wind events. Health Canada warns that lint in dryer exhaust systems can ignite and recommends keeping exterior vents clear. Reduced airflow, long drying time or unusual heat deserves manufacturer or qualified service attention rather than a higher heat setting.
Store transport bolts, stacking-kit instructions, model records and installer invoices together. Remove unnecessary serial-number images from shared moving files. If the machines will move again, the next checklist begins with the retained parts and current manuals, not the memory of how this installation looked. Close any moving claim or service issue only after the responsible party has documented the outcome.
- Reinspect water connections and floor after early cycles.
- Keep the laundry area visible and accessible.
- Clean the lint screen and monitor the outside vent.
- Store transit parts and installation records for the next move.
Ottawa checklist
Use a date-by-date washer and dryer move sequence
Three weeks out, identify models, destination services, routes and technical providers. Two weeks out, obtain transit bolts, new hoses or approved vent parts and confirm elevator or stair access. Three days out, finish laundry and empty dispensers. Before moving day, have water, electricity or fuel and venting disconnected as required, drain the washer, install transport hardware and dry both machines.
On moving day, verify the readiness record, protect a dry route and let the crew control upright handling and truck securement. At destination, inspect services and machines before final placement. The installer removes transit bolts, levels the washer, connects water and drain, restores the correct dryer energy and vent system, and completes model-specific tests.
During the first month, monitor hoses, movement, lint and exterior airflow. Keep the complete Ottawa moving guide for the broader schedule and request a washer-and-dryer moving quote that states stairs, configuration, transit-hardware status and technical-work boundaries. A detailed quote prevents “move the laundry pair” from hiding several separate appointments.
- Verify models and destination connections
- Source exact transport and installation parts
- Finish laundry, drain and dry
- Disconnect technical systems through proper work details
- Move upright through a protected route
- Install, level and test
- Monitor leaks and airflow
Research record
Sources used for this guide
These primary and authoritative references informed the practical details above. Page availability should be reviewed during the regular editorial refresh.
- CCOHS ergonomics and lifting guidancePrimary Canadian handling-safety research.
- Health Canada : Electrical product safetyPrimary Canadian household electrical-appliance safety guidance, including manual-based maintenance and dryer-lint fire risk.
- TSSA : Authorized Heating Fuel ContractorsPrimary Ontario authority used to distinguish legally authorized fuels work from moving services and to direct readers to contractor verification.
- Samsung Canada : Install a Bespoke AI Laundry HubManufacturer guidance used for model-specific shipping-bolt retention, new hose installation, firm level surfaces, service clearances and leak checks.
- GE Appliances Canada : Authorized delivery and installationManufacturer service-work details source distinguishing shipping-bolt removal, hoses, levelling, vent parts and electrical upgrades.
- GE Appliances Canada : Front-load washer and heat-pump dryer installation guideModel-specific manufacturer manual supporting transport-bolt use, technician draining, pump-filter handling and freezing-exposure preparation.
- Health Canada: Guide to addressing moisture and mould indoorsPrimary Canadian guidance on dampness, condensation, porous materials and mould-prevention principles.
