One of the most annoying parts of moving is when you have to move the heavy appliances from one place to another. Doing it incorrectly can harm both the appliance itself and you as well.
This can lead to physical injuries as well as financial stress. Let’s take a look at how to correctly move your fridge over long distances.
How To Move A Fridge In A Short Distance?
If you just want to move a fridge across the room or forward to have space to clean, you’ll still need to empty out the fridge completely. Disconnect the refrigerator and once it is empty, use rollers to slide the fridge forward.
Put the fridge in the desired spot and plug it back in. Since it was a short distance, you don’t have to wait the recommended 3-4 hours.
To read a more detailed explanation on how to move a fridge correctly, keep reading…
How To Correctly Move Your Fridge Over Long Distances?
Keep in mind to switch off and take out the plug of the appliance, let it sit for about a day and cover the appliance with protective equipment. Use a dolly with wheels and load the appliance on it using ramps or ply sheets. Strap the fridge to the dolly and make sure it is transported upright. At the final destination, wait for 3-4 hours before switching it on.
Fridge’s are some of the heaviest and most expensive appliance in anyone’s house.
Usually people keep the difficult job of moving such heavy objects over to the professional but if you have decided to go through with by yourself, it is important to follow each of the following steps very carefully.
What Tools And Materials Will You Need?
It is recommended to gather all the things which you will need beforehand, this will not only make the process easier, it will ensure that you are not missing out on any steps.
Other than the proper equipment, you will only need a couple of pair of hands.
Make sure you have an Appliance Dolly with straps, moving blankets, measuring tape, ropes or cords, screwdriver or drill.
Empty, Clean and Defrost the Fridge
This is one of the most essential steps while moving a fridge, but this is also one f the those steps which people miss out on a lot and end up harming their appliance. First, think about what to do with the perishables inside your fridge, they will be out of the cold environment for a long time.
Remove everything from inside the fridge and clean each parts carefully. You can use vinegar and baking soda to get this done efficiently. Make sure the inside of the fridge is completely dry as well.
If your fridge has ice makers or other areas where water might be stored, disconnect them in advance as this will help in getting rid of any excess water. Disconnect the fridge and plug it out. Wait for at least 12 hours to let the appliance come to room temperature and settle down.
After this, apply protective pads around the fridge to protect it from any scratches during the moving process.
Measure the Dimensions
The next step is measing the length, breadth and height of your fridge including the protective pads and bubble wrap. After this, measure the dimensions of your hallways, staircase, elevator and doors. This will give you a much better idea about how to move the appliance.
Remove the Obstacles
After you have planned out your route, remove any obstacles which might be in the way. This will save you a lot of headache later on in the process.
Protect the Floors
Fridges are heavy equipment which can ruin your house floors, this can be an issue especially if you live in a rental unit.
The best way to avoid floor damage is to either spread multiple layers of newspapers or use a dolly with rubber wheels.
Figure Out How to Move the Fridge Onto The Dolly
Fridge is usually located in areas which can be difficult to access. To move the fridge onto an appliance dolly, you can either use furniture sliders which you can easily source from a nearby hardware store or use plywood sheets.
While moving the fridge, make sure you have another set of hands to help you with it.
Move The Fridge Using The Dolly
Wrap the appliance in moving blankets. Lean the fridge slightly and move the dolly underneath it. Move the dolly simply using the wheels under it or push it along if your dolly does not have wheels. Move the fridge slowly. You can also use the ropes and straps to fasten the fridge properly before moving.
If you have to move it down the stairs, use one person as the guide. Load the appliance onto the vehicle or the truck using the ramp and make sure to transport it in the upright direction. Otherwise too much load will be applied on one side of the appliance which can damage it.
Tips After Reaching The Destination
Once you have reached your location, move it to the desired location and only turn on the fridge after at least 3-6 hours. This will allow the fridge to settle down including the gases and liquids within it.
Some older models might take a couple of days to deliver peak cooling so don’t be alarmed in the beginning. Clean the surfaces once again before putting in food.
Things To Keep in Mind While Moving The Fridge
While moving the fridge, try not to tilt it beyond 45Degrees. This will risk you losing your balance. Don’t lay it on one side as well. and always make sure that the appliance is strapped correctly.
How Long Does My Fridge Need To Be Off Before Moving?
Switch off the appliance for at least 12-24 hours before moving it.
This will ensure that the appliance has reached room temperature and will also allow enough time to let out any gases or smells. Make sure that the backside of the appliance is also room temperature before beginning to move it.
How Long Should You Wait To Plug A Fridge In After Moving It?
Once you have placed the fridge in the desired location, wait for at least 3-6 hours before plugging it in and switching it on.
While moving the fridge, the fluids inside it also get rattled a lot. Allowing them to settle down is very important before starting to use the fridge.
Can You Move A Fridge Right After Unplugging It
No you should never do this. when you unplug the fridge, the inside of it still cold and the hardware components of the appliance would still be warm or hot. You have to wait for the fridge to be completely room temperature and free from any smells inside it.
If you move your fridge over long distances and there is some smell coming from inside it, there is a chance that the smell might get stuck.
How To Move A Refrigerator Without A Dolly
If course using a dolly is not the only way of moving your fridge, there are other methods out there. Make sure you ask for assistance before attempting any of these, you might also end up needing 3-4 people.
Follow all the steps including clearing, cleaning and unplugging the fridge and securing the appliance before moving it.
You can use a ramp or slider to move the fridge along as well. Only make sure you have another person’s help while you get this done.
You can also spread cardboards or newspaper across the floor and move the appliance by standing behind it and carefully rocking it from side to side until you reach your destination. Take note that there are physical injury and damage risks with this method.
Steps To Moving A Fridge Across The Room
If you have to move a fridge only across the room, the steps required get greatly reduced. You will still have to follow all the preparatory steps including cleaning and clearing out the fridge. You will still have to unplug and leave the fridge for 12-24 hours before moving it.
A lot of people skip out on protective the appliance by applying bubble wrap and pads but never skip out on this. The appliance can still get dents, scratches and damages while moving it short distances.
You can also skip out on using the dolly in this case and simply use furniture sliders or planks along with the help of someone else to slide across the room. Although using the dolly would be a more secure and safer way of doing it.
Enjoyed this article? Make sure to check these next:
- How Long Does It Take A Refrigerator To Get Cold Once Plugged In?
- Refrigerator Won’t Cool But Freezer Works
- 5 Refrigerator Brands To Avoid Like The Plague
Conclusion
Be very careful while moving a fridge and you might need someone’s else help to move it as well. Strap the fridge to the dolly after covering it with protective gear.
Move the fridge upright and make sure it was switched off at least 24 hours before. Wait for another 4-5 hours before switching it on.
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