Appliance Dolly Tips for Stairs

Appliance Protection

• First, take steps to protect the finish of your appliances. This is easily done by wrapping it up in some kind of blanket, cloth or tarpaulin material before securing it with the straps attached to the dolly Not only does this prevent your furniture and walls from becoming scratched or dinged up, but it also ensures your load doesn't slip, slide or move around on top of the dolly during transportation.

Staircase Accessibility

• Not all stairs are the same, so you will need to take a customized approach when it comes to moving your appliances. Shorter stairs, as well as those with relatively low angles, can easily be overcome by laying down wooden planks to use as a ramp, while others will require a bit more ingenuity. A set of construction scaffolding provides a means of forming a series of gradual ramps and platforms, but this is only a viable option in spacious areas. In some cases, stairway railing is removable, which provides more room for you to maneuver with your dolly and appliance.

Handling Techniques

• Proper handling of the dolly and its load is essential to ensure a smooth and safe move. Always make sure you are handling the dolly by its uppermost handle, even if this means walking backward in order to ease it up or down stairs. Smaller objects, such as end tables, chairs or cabinets, may be suitable for one person. Larger loads, such as couches, refrigerators and dining tables, should have at least one individual on each side of the dolly. In this case, one person pushes the load from a lower portion of the stairs while the other attempts to guide it through tight spaces, around corners and into its final location on the next floor.

Preserving Flooring

• Depending on the type of appliance dolly you are using, as well as the weight of the load on top of it, damaging your interior steps and floors is a real threat. Care should be taken to safeguard carpeted, hardwood and even finished concrete stairs. Large sheets of canvas, cloth or tarpaulin are incredibly effective against damage caused by the wheels of an appliance dolly. Depending on the weight of the load, you may be able to lift the appliance slightly to aid in overcoming the height difference of higher or lower steps.