A geyser is one of the first things you miss after shifting house in Lucknow. From December to February, a cold bath on the first morning in the new home is not a small problem, and a geyser that arrives with a cracked tank, a bent thermostat or a leaking joint can turn a smooth move into a week of bucket-and-kettle baths. The good news is that geyser shifting is simple when it is done in the right order.
This guide from Narayan Packers & Movers, a registered Pvt Ltd company moving families in Lucknow since 2008, explains how to switch off, drain, remove, pack, carry and reinstall a storage geyser or instant water heater. It sits alongside our house shifting checklist and our guide to moving a fridge, washing machine and AC safely.
Why geysers need special care when moving
A storage geyser is a steel or copper tank with a heating element, a thermostat, a safety valve and inlet and outlet pipes. Unlike a television, it holds water and has parts that are easy to damage by tilting, dropping or dragging. Four things usually go wrong:
- Leftover water makes a 15 to 25 litre geyser very heavy and leaks out during the ride, damaging cartons and furniture nearby.
- Bent or broken pipes and valves cause leaks after reinstallation.
- Cracked plastic covers and damaged thermostat knobs come from loose loading with other heavy items.
- Wrong wall fixing in the new home is the cause of most accidents. A full geyser is heavy, and a weak bracket in an old wall can fail.
Storage geyser vs instant geyser: what changes
| Point | Storage geyser (6 to 25 L) | Instant geyser (1 to 3 L) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight when empty | Heavy, needs two people | Light, one person can carry it |
| Draining needed | Yes, fully before removal | Only a short drain of the small tank |
| Main risk | Leaks, damaged valve, weak wall bracket | Cracked body, damaged knob or wire |
| Reinstallation | Needs a strong bracket, new pipes and an earthing check | Simpler, still needs proper wiring |
| Who should do it | Plumber or electrician | Plumber or electrician |
Solar water heaters and gas geysers are a different matter. A solar heater with a rooftop panel and a large tank needs a specialist installer. A gas geyser should be disconnected and refitted only by a trained person, and see the note on gas cylinders below.
Step by step: how to remove and pack a geyser
1. Switch off and let it cool
Turn off the power at the switch and the MCB the evening before. Do not touch the geyser while the water is hot. In Lucknow winters the heating cycle is long, so give it at least a couple of hours to cool.
2. Close the water supply and drain the tank
Shut the inlet tap. Open a hot water tap in the bathroom to release pressure, then open the drain valve or loosen the inlet pipe over a bucket. Let the tank empty fully. Tilt it gently at the end to remove the last litre.
3. Disconnect the electrical wiring
Ask an electrician to disconnect the wires and cap them. Do not pull the geyser off the wall with the wires still attached. Photograph the wiring before removal so the new home is easy to match.
4. Remove the geyser from the wall
Two people should lift a storage geyser off its bracket. Keep it upright. Take the bracket and bolts as well, since the same size may not fit the new wall.
5. Pack it properly
- Wrap the pipes and valves with soft cloth or bubble wrap and tape them to the body.
- Wrap the whole unit in a thick layer of bubble wrap or foam, then a cardboard sleeve or a snug carton.
- Keep the fittings (nuts, washers, bracket, pressure valve, mixer) in a labelled zip bag taped to the geyser.
- Mark the carton FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP.
The general method for delicate items is in our guide to packing fragile items for moving. Our packing and unpacking service includes proper material for appliances like this.
Who does what: movers, plumbers and electricians
Packers and movers are not electricians or plumbers, and it is better to be clear about this before moving day. A practical split looks like this:
| Task | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Disconnecting power and wiring | Your electrician |
| Draining and removing pipes | Your plumber (or you, for a simple instant geyser) |
| Packing, loading, carrying and unloading | The moving crew |
| Wall fixing and reinstalling at the new home | Your plumber or electrician |
| Dismantling nearby fixtures and cabinets | Carpenter, or our furniture dismantling service |
Details of what is possible for installing appliances during a move are on our appliance installation during shifting page. If you also have an air conditioner to move, read the AC shifting guide and book the technician for the same visit where possible.
Loading the geyser in the truck
How a geyser is loaded matters as much as how it is packed. Our crews follow a few basic rules:
- Load it upright, never on its side or upside down.
- Place it against a wall of the truck, wedged with blankets or mattresses, not under a heavy wardrobe or fridge.
- Keep it away from glass, mirrors and televisions.
- Strap it so it cannot slide in turns or on the bumpy stretches of the Lucknow roads.
- Unload it among the first appliances so your plumber can start early.
On local moves the geyser is usually in the truck for only a few hours. For intercity moves, pack it in an extra layer, as the ride is longer. Moves such as Lucknow to Delhi follow the same loading rules.
At the new home: reinstall it safely
Before the geyser comes off the truck, check the bathroom in the new home.
- Wall strength. A brick wall takes a geyser easily. A weak or hollow wall needs a proper anchor. Ask the plumber to confirm, especially in older houses.
- Earthing and wiring. A geyser must be earthed. Ask the electrician to check the socket, plug and MCB. Never run a geyser from a loose or damaged socket.
- New pipes and a pressure valve. Old flexible pipes are best replaced with new ones. Check that the pressure release valve is fitted correctly.
- Fill first, then switch on. Open the hot tap, let water fill the tank until it flows steadily, and only then switch on the power.
- Test for a day. Look for leaks at the joints, listen for odd sounds and check that the thermostat cuts off.
If you live in a society or apartment complex, check the rules before the plumber arrives, as many allow work only in set hours. Our guide to society rules for moving in and out in Lucknow covers this.
How much does geyser shifting cost?
There is no separate mover rate for a geyser, because packing and carrying it is part of the household move. The cost depends on your overall load and distance. Indicative prices for a household move in Lucknow are below. These are ranges, not fixed quotes.
| Local move in Lucknow | Indicative price* |
|---|---|
| 1 RK | ₹2,500–5,000* |
| 1 BHK | ₹3,500–8,000* |
| 2 BHK | ₹6,000–12,000* |
| 3 BHK | ₹9,000–18,000* |
| 4 BHK or villa | ₹15,000–28,000* |
*Indicative only. The final price is fixed after a free survey and given to you in writing. Plumber and electrician charges are paid to them directly and are not part of the mover's price. For what drives the price, see packers and movers charges in Lucknow. See also 2 BHK shifting.
Should you move the geyser or buy a new one?
Many people ask whether it is worth moving an old geyser. A simple rule works well.
- Move it if the geyser is less than five or six years old, works well and has no rust or leaks.
- Consider replacing if the tank is rusty, the element or thermostat has failed more than once, or the new bathroom needs a different size or type.
- Compare totals. Add plumber and electrician charges, new pipes and fittings against the price of a new unit with a fresh warranty.
A geyser that is replaced should go to a repairer or recycler and not to the dump.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Moving the geyser with water still inside.
- Leaving the electrician out and pulling wires by hand.
- Packing the bracket and fittings loose in some other box.
- Loading it flat under heavy furniture.
- Switching on the power before the tank is full.
- Forgetting the bathroom plumber until the evening of moving day.
Gas cylinders are not carried by us, so if you use a gas geyser, arrange the cylinder and its connection separately. Our guide to transferring your LPG gas connection explains the process.
Timing a winter move around the geyser
If you are moving between December and February, plan the geyser as a priority item. Book the plumber for the new home on the same day as the move, and keep a bucket and a kettle handy in case of delay. Morning fog can slow traffic, so read shifting house in winter and fog in Lucknow for timing advice. Please book at least 2 days ahead for local moves and 3 days for long-distance moves. For an urgent move, see same-day shifting, which is possible when a crew is free.
Protection, tracking and our responsibility
A geyser is a fragile item, so understanding protection is worth a minute. If our team damages your goods, we pay the complete repair or replacement cost, as written in our damage and refund policy. For extra cover on high-value goods, read about transit insurance. On long moves you can follow your shipment on WhatsApp with your LR number on our track shipment page. If your new bathroom is not ready, storage in Lucknow is available, subject to availability.
Areas we cover
We handle home moves across Lucknow, including Gomti Nagar and Indira Nagar. See our local shifting service page for what is included.
Book your move with Narayan Packers & Movers
Tell us about your geyser, AC and other appliances when you ask for a quote and we will plan the packing material and loading order. We offer a free survey and a fixed written quote. Get a free quote or call +91 94155 50293, open 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I shift a geyser when moving house?
Switch it off, let it cool, close the inlet and drain the tank fully, then have an electrician disconnect the wires. Wrap the pipes and body in bubble wrap, keep the fittings in a bag and carry it upright.
Do I have to drain the geyser before moving it?
Yes. A tank with water is very heavy and leaks in the truck, which can damage other goods. Drain it completely and tilt it gently to remove the last water.
Will packers and movers install my geyser in the new home?
The moving crew packs, loads, carries and unloads it. Wiring and wall fixing are done by an electrician or plumber, whom you book separately, and we can plan the timing around them.
Is it worth moving an old geyser?
If it is under five or six years old and has no rust or leaks, moving it is usually cheaper. A rusty or repeatedly faulty geyser is better replaced.
How much does geyser shifting cost?
There is no separate rate, as it is part of the household move, indicatively ₹6,000–12,000* for a local 2 BHK. Final price is fixed after a free survey.
Can a geyser be carried lying flat in the truck?
It is best loaded upright, wedged against a wall with blankets. Laying it flat or under heavy furniture risks damage to the valve and thermostat.
Need help with your move?
Get a free survey and a fixed written quote from Narayan Packers & Movers, Lucknow.