Can You Remove a Washer or Dryer That's Still Hooked Up?

Can You Remove a Washer or Dryer That's Still Hooked Up?

Last updated: October 2026

Yes, once it's disconnected. We don't do plumbing work, so water and gas lines need to be disconnected by a plumber before we arrive.

Washers and dryers are among the most common appliances people want gone. They're also the ones most likely to still be connected when someone calls. The water hoses are still on. The dryer is still plugged in, or still on a gas line. The machine has to be free before it can go anywhere, and that usually means one quick visit from a plumber or an electrician before the crew shows up to carry it out of the laundry room.

What needs to be disconnected

Washer water lines. The hot and cold hoses that connect the washer to the wall. A plumber disconnects them and shuts off the supply.

Washer drain hose. The hose that runs to the standpipe or the sink.

Gas dryers. A gas dryer is connected to a gas line, and that line needs to be disconnected and capped by a plumber. This is not a do-it-yourself job.

Electric dryers. Many electric dryers plug into a large outlet. Some are hardwired. A hardwired dryer needs an electrician.

Dryer vents. The vent hose usually just pulls off the back of the dryer.

Why we leave it to the pros

A badly disconnected water line can flood a laundry room or a basement. A badly disconnected gas line is a safety problem. Licensed plumbers do this every day, and they're the right people to do it. We handle the removal. They handle the hookups.

For more on how this works on a move, read do you disconnect gas and water lines on appliances.

How to time it

Book the plumber first. Get the disconnection done the day before, or the morning of before the crew arrives.

Drain the washer. Water can sit inside the drum and the hoses. Let it drain so nothing leaks on the way out.

Clear the path. Laundry baskets, detergent, and anything else between the machines and the door.

Tell us about the stairs. Many Chicago laundry rooms are in the basement.

If the machines are still hooked up when the crew arrives, the crew can't take them until they're disconnected.

Replacing them?

If new machines are coming, plan the removal for before the delivery. The plumber can disconnect the old ones and hook up the new ones on the same visit if the timing works.

Working or not

An appliance doesn't need to work for us to take it. Working washers and dryers go to local donation centers when they can be reused, and the rest go to the junk yard. Read what happens to appliances after you remove them and will you take appliances that no longer work.

How it's priced

Junk removal is priced per item, quoted up front. A washer is one item. A dryer is one item. Read how is junk removal priced and can you remove multiple appliances in one pickup.

Moving them instead?

If the washer and dryer are coming with you, the same rule applies. Read can you move an appliance to the basement.

Washer and dryer removal is part of our appliance removal service, under our junk removal services alongside moving.

Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com once they're disconnected.