Moving Furniture and Appliances On Hardwood Floors

We hear it often... "my new hardwood floor has a big scratch in it from moving the couch across the room. I could just kill my husband!" Another huge avoidable complaint is Move furniture with carpet scraps kitchen appliances, specifically the refrigerator. "We moved the fridge back in and now there are two big scratches on the floor."

Often after the hardwood has been installed many of us treat hardwood floors like a new luxury car. You don't want that shiny priceless love of your life scratched and dinged up in the grocery store parking lot, so you park away from the crowds for a few weeks until the newness wanes. The best form of protection I've found while moving furniture if you cannot actually lift, is the use of carpet scraps that may have been removed before the installation.

Using Carpet Scraps

In order for this to work effectively you must shake out any grit that may have collected over the years, then cut into manageable sections for placement under furniture legs. Place the fuzzy side down against the hardwood floor and you have the answer. Keep in mind, cheaper carpets may still damage the floor. A plush type that has enough cushion is best.

Moving Kitchen Appliances

For kitchen appliances, 1/8 inch thick masonite board is the answer in our opinion. You can easily obtain 4 x 4 foot sheets available in the lumber aisle at any big home improvement store...down at the end, in the bins where precut plywood can be found. Sorry no pics of this procedure. Cut the sheet into 12 inch by 48" strips, place in front of the area a few inches inside of where the front legs of the fridge will finally rest. After being pushed in place, lift the front of the fridge and remove.

How about dollies to move appliances and furniture? Well, we don't call them dollys...more like hand trucks. They're effective in moving appliances when placed away from the work area or other rooms of the house when work is being done, but it's important to know what types work best. Much older hard rubber wheel types may actually damage your floors. Best to use balloon type tire hand trucks, making sure the bottom metal lift part is protected. Any burrs in the metal itself can scratch your new floor. Tires should be inspected for small rocks and the like.

Other Notes: Masonite board also works great for laying hand tools on during the work. You may also want to buy a one or two 4' x 8' sheets (cost about $ 6.50 each), playing it safe when trying to maneuver appliances if you have installed wood floors in the kitchen. Finally, any protective measures are meaningless if the floor isn't clean of debris. Watch out for those electricians and cabinet installers! Loose screws and wire clippings can often get hung up under all sorts of stuff.

Related Pages:

• Floors and High Heels
• Moving Furniture and Hardwood Floors
• Dogs and Kids With Hardwood
• Cleaning Hardwood Floors
• Hardwood Floor Scratch Repair
• Hardwood Floor Protectors. Furniture, Rugs
• Vacuum Cleaners and Hardwood Floors