Nobody expects their belongings to get damaged during a move. But damage during shifting is more common than most people realise — and in almost every case it is preventable.
After handling hundreds of home relocations across Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam and surrounding areas we have seen clear patterns in what gets damaged most. It is rarely the items people worry about most. It is almost always the same five categories repeated move after move.
Here is an honest breakdown of each one, why the damage happens and exactly how we prevent it.
Packers And Movers Neyveli
Item 1 — Washing Machine
The washing machine is the most frequently damaged appliance during a home shift. Not because it is fragile on the outside but because of what happens inside during transport.
The drum of a washing machine is suspended internally by springs and shock absorbers. When the machine is running these absorb the movement of the drum. When the machine is being transported in a vehicle the drum moves freely with every bump and turn in the road. Over a journey of even a few kilometres this repeated movement stresses the suspension system and can damage the drum bearings, the spider arm or the internal mounting.
The damage is not visible immediately. The machine looks fine after the move. But within a few weeks of use the drum starts making noise, vibrating excessively or failing to spin properly.
The fix is straightforward. Every washing machine has transit bolts — also called drum bolts — that were used when the machine was originally shipped from the factory. These bolts lock the drum in place during transport. Before any move the transit bolts must be fitted to secure the drum. If the original bolts are lost replacements are available for most machine models.
We check for transit bolt fitting on every washing machine before it goes into the truck. No exceptions.
Item 2 — Refrigerator
The refrigerator is the second most commonly damaged appliance and the damage almost always comes from one of two causes — tilting during loading or transport, or switching it on too quickly after the move.
Refrigerators contain compressor oil that lubricates the compressor during operation. When a refrigerator is tilted beyond 45 degrees this oil can flow into the compressor chamber. If the refrigerator is then switched on before the oil has drained back — which takes several hours in an upright position — the compressor runs without adequate lubrication and can be permanently damaged.
We transport all refrigerators in an upright position. The truck loading sequence is planned so the refrigerator can be loaded and unloaded without tilting. We also remind every customer that the refrigerator must stand upright for at least four hours after the move before being switched on.
Item 3 — Television
Television screens are large, thin and extremely vulnerable to pressure and impact. The most common cause of TV damage during a move is inadequate wrapping combined with incorrect placement in the truck.
A television wrapped in a single layer of bubble wrap and placed flat in a truck is almost guaranteed to develop pressure cracks on the screen during transit. The weight of other items placed on top or the vibration of the road surface is enough to cause internal screen damage that only becomes visible when the TV is switched on.
We wrap every television in multiple layers of bubble wrap, cover it with moving blankets and place it either in its original carton or between two pieces of foam board. It travels in an upright or near-upright position inside the truck. Nothing is placed on top of it. Nothing presses against the screen surface.
Item 4 — Wooden Furniture
Wooden furniture — beds, almirahs, dining tables and chairs — suffers two types of damage during moves. Surface scratches from contact with other items or with the truck walls and structural damage from incorrect disassembly or reassembly.
Surface scratches happen when furniture is loaded without wrapping. Even a short local move involves loading, transport and unloading — three opportunities for an unwrapped wooden surface to make contact with something hard.
We wrap every piece of wooden furniture in moving blankets before it goes into the truck. Edges and corners get extra padding. Almirahs are emptied before moving — moving a full almirah shifts the weight unevenly and stresses the joints. Beds are disassembled at the frame level with all screws and bolts stored in labelled zip-lock bags.
Structural damage from reassembly happens when screws are forced into the wrong holes or when flat-pack style furniture is reassembled incorrectly. Our team photographs the disassembly process so reassembly at the destination follows the exact reverse sequence.
Item 5 — Glassware and Kitchen Items
Glassware, crockery and ceramic kitchen items are the most commonly broken category in any home move. They are small, numerous and often packed quickly without adequate individual wrapping.
The most common mistake is placing multiple glass items together in a carton without wrapping each piece individually. During transit the items shift against each other and chip, crack or break. A carton of unwrapped glasses rarely arrives intact.
Every glass item — whether a drinking glass, a serving bowl or a ceramic plate — needs to be wrapped individually before being placed in a carton. We use newspaper, bubble wrap or both depending on the fragility of the item. Heavier items go at the bottom of the carton, lighter and more fragile items on top. Every carton containing glassware is marked fragile on all sides and placed in the truck where it will not be crushed under heavier boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my washing machine drum bolts are fitted correctly? When transit bolts are correctly fitted the drum should feel completely rigid when you push it by hand. If the drum moves or wobbles the bolts are not fitted correctly or are missing. Ask your moving team to check before loading.
How long should a refrigerator stand after a move before switching on? We recommend a minimum of four hours in an upright position before switching on. If the refrigerator was tilted at any point during the move wait at least eight hours to be safe.
What is the best way to pack glassware for a local move? Wrap every piece individually in newspaper or bubble wrap. Place heavier items at the bottom of the carton and fragile items on top. Fill any gaps with crumpled paper so items cannot shift during transit. Mark the carton fragile on all sides.
Moving in Tamil Nadu?
Sri Mariyammal Packers and Movers takes the prevention of damage seriously on every move. We follow the same careful process whether the move is across town or across the state.
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