Refrigerators are cumbersome, and there is no simplified way to relocate them around to eliminate the stress. Coupled with the appliances being large, unwieldy, and expensive. Good knowledge of the procedures of transporting refrigerators makes the job a lot easier and helps save moving costs. The guides provided here will suffice if you have to move a fridge. Even if you follow every step, refrigerators might be challenging to move around independently. Refrigerators can leak or collect mold; worse, you can destroy floors or scratch walls.
What tools are required?
To make the moving process easier and safer, start by acquiring the necessary tools and equipment. On the day of the move, these are some of the tools and materials that should be available:
- Loading ramps
- Appliance dolly with straps
- Measuring tape
- Screwdriver or drill
- Moving blankets
- Tape or rope
- A fridge cleaning solution
- Bungee cords
- Floor protection mats
How to Move a Refrigerator Safely?
Outlined below are quick follow-through tips that will guide you when moving a fridge safely by yourself or with the help of others. Starting with the preliminary:
- Empty the fridge: Ensure everything in the fridge is emptied and discarded or stored in a cooler. After emptying, scrub the interior with soap and water.
- Detach the water lines and wiring as directed: If your appliance contains an ice maker or a water filter, ensure you detach these ahead of time according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. After unplugging and disconnecting the refrigerator, roll up the cord and tape it behind the fridge.
- Defrost the fridge: Using a hairdryer, melt the ice in the freezer and drain the water. The pre-melting will aid in the prevention of water leaks during the relocation. Before moving the appliance, leave it on for approximately two hours.
- Remove the doors (if necessary): As indicated in the owner’s handbook, dismantle the doors and bind them to shut with bungee cords or rope. Ensure you keep all the parts safe
- Protect the floors, walls, and refrigerator: You must be extra careful when moving appliances inside the house. Other than damaging the appliance itself, you may be unknowingly scratching the wall or floor. It would help if you kept all of these in mind. Use a towel, rug, or mat to pad the refrigerator when moving it into the house so it does not damage the walls or floor.
- Slide it out and strap it onto the dolly: Dolly is a great tool that will help to safely move your appliance if you are moving it more than a few feet. Once it’s on the cart, use movable straps and automatic tighteners to wrap the appliance and secure the doors.
- Tilt it back and move gently: Once the weight is secure, tilt the dolly at a 45-degree angle with the strapped fridge. Remember that the refrigerator must be kept upright because tilting it at an angle of more than 45 degrees can produce imbalance.
- Take extra precaution going down steps: In an ideal world, you’d have a straight road or an elevator, but in reality, you might face a flight of stairs. The goal is to move slowly and adhere to standard practices for moving a refrigerator upstairs or downstairs. Maintain the fridge on the dolly and ask someone else to go in front while the other holds the cart firmly from behind.
- Put the fridge safely in the truck: It is dangerous to let the appliance roll across the vehicle and collide with other fragile items. Use a rope or ratchet strap to tie the refrigerator to the truck’s wall once you have transported it into the truck.
- Reassemble and reconnect in the new house: Assuming you measured the refrigerator’s space in your new home and it fits, bring it inside. Reattach the waterline and wiring, plug it in, and replenish the food supply.
FAQs
Can you move a fridge straight after turning it off?
You can, but you risk causing damage to the internal components. If the fridge is turned off and relocated without drying, mold and germs can form inside.
Can a refrigerator be transported on its side?
Do not transport a refrigerator while lying on its side for whatever reason it is. You risk damaging many components inside it if you do it this way. This act has often been linked to coolant leakage or compressor issues in the refrigerator.
Can I transport them lying down?
Technically, you can, but you should not try to move it by laying it flat in order to avoid internal damage. Fluids are present in the refrigerator’s compressor, and if it is tilted or left flat over a lengthy period, they may flow somewhere they are not supposed to.
Do modern fridges need to settle before using?
Irrespective of the initial condition, leaving a fridge unplugged and undisturbed for some hours before using it is good. This process will give the compressor oil enough time to settle back in.
It would help if you had someone else assist you and make all the equipment available when you want to move the appliance. Make sure there’s enough room to walk through entrances. Due to the refrigerator’s weight, you might want to hire professional movers to load it on the truck.
After your fridge has been securely relocated to your new house, you should leave it for a while before turning it on to use. Allow it to stand unplugged and upright for an extended period. Considering best practices and conventional methods, it is ideal to use the refrigerator’s manual when operating it. More often than not, information is also provided regarding assembling and dismantling it, which may suffice when moving the appliance.
Thank you for reading our article. You can always order the services of Starkmovers company. Here is a list of our most popular services:
- Long distance moving in Boston;
- Long distance moving in Chicago;
- Long distance moving in Washington DC.
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