How To Move a Refrigerator Securely To Your New Home
No magic formula will make moving a refrigerator less laborious. Refrigerators are not only cumbersome and bulky, but they are also expensive. However, you can make the job a lot easier if you know how to move a refrigerator correctly.
Depending on your situation, it may sometimes be best to leave this job to the professionals. But if that’s not an option, we’ve got you covered. To make sure this expensive appliance doesn’t get damaged, have a little patience as you plan and use all the right tools. This guide will help you move a refrigerator from A to B,regardless of how far it has to travel.
You will need to:
• Appliance trolley with straps
• Measuring tape
• Screwdriver or drill
• Move blankets
• Ribbon or rope
• Minimum of two people
Follow these steps to move a refrigerator safely
1. Clean and defrost the unit.
The first step in moving a refrigerator is to prepare it thoroughly. Be sure to empty all contents and discard or store in a cooler. You will need enough ice to keep your food chilled during the move, as well as during the time it takes for the refrigerator to cool down once it is moved.
Plan ahead by eating all of your perishable items in the weeks leading up to your move. Preparing food during this period will make last minute shopping less likely.
After removing food,clean all surfaces thoroughly with a mixture of baking soda and water. Melt the remaining ice in the freezer with a hair dryer and wipe off the water. Melting these surfaces beforehand will prevent accidental water leaks during the move.
Finally, turn off your refrigerator at least a few hours before moving in.
Optional Tip: Adding a moisture-absorbing substance like activated charcoal inside the refrigerator will help prevent odours from building up during the move.
2. Unplug the refrigerator according to the user manual.
If you have an ice maker and water filter in your refrigerator, be sure to unplug them well in advance using your owner’s manual. Most moving companies will not unplug the refrigerator for you.
After the refrigerator is unplugged and completely unplugged, protect it by wrapping the cord and taping it to the back of the refrigerator. Remove the refrigerator doors according to the owner’s instructions.
manual instructions or secure them closed with bungee cords or string. Keep all screws and parts together in a reseal able bag.
Wrap the outside of the refrigerator in moving blankets or other padding to avoid bumps and scratches.
For added protection:Remove refrigerator drawers and glass shelves for safe transportation. If you don’t go too far, you can tape the drawers instead.
3. Measure the refrigerator and doors, and then create a moving plan.
How you move your refrigerator will largely depend on how wide it is and how narrow your doors are. In some cases, you will need to remove both your home doors and your refrigerator doors for it to pass.
Grab a tape measure and a notepad, then write down the height, width, and depth of your refrigerator.Next, measure the height and width of your doors and hallways. Create a plan for how you will place the refrigerator through each door. The last thing you want is to have the fridge on the trolley trying to push it through a door,only then do you realize it doesn’t fit.
4. Remove obstacles such as doors as necessary.
Based on the moving plan you created, now is the time to eliminate anything that gets in the way. Remove the doors from the hinges or remove the railings from the stairs. Get stray furniture out of the way so you have a clear chance to get out of the house and into the moving truck.
5. Slide refrigerator out and secure to dolly.
Most refrigerators have wheels, so sliding them forward shouldn’t be too difficult. To be safe, lift the refrigerator slightly forward and place the furniture sliders under the back of the refrigerator. Then, stand at the front of the refrigerator, grab it on both sides, and push it from side to side while guiding it forward.Sometimes you can also pull it straight forward. Just be sure to keep your knees bent and your back as straight as possible.
Next, it is time to load the refrigerator onto the appliance dolly. Have one person lift the refrigerator slightly while the other slides the movable platform under the side of the refrigerator. Do not push the dolly towards the front or back of the refrigerator. Use the dolly straps to secure the refrigerator in place.
6. Tilt the refrigerator back and move it carefully (slowly).
Slowly tilt the refrigerator back, making sure that both the top and bottom of the refrigerator are evenly positioned on the dolly. Remember, a refrigerator should not tilt back more than 45 degrees. Walk the dolly carefully until your first step. If you have to lower the refrigerator back down at any time, do it slowly and with someone on the other side who can help guide you down.
7. Take extra precautions when descending the steps.
While one person guides the refrigerator with the dolly, another should be below, helping guide the dolly up the steps one at a time. Instead of pushing down the stairs, pull the dolly toward you while keeping the refrigerator tilted at a 45-degree angle. Maintain full control of the dolly at all times and continue to pull it towards you. The person at the bottom must ensure that the refrigerator always remains positioned towards the rear of the dolly and does not move forward.
8. Insert the refrigerator into the moving truck.
Using a board, guide the refrigerator toward the moving truck or van. A board or platform is much easier to navigate than trying to lift the refrigerator into the truck yourself.
9. Secure the refrigerator for the move.
Avoid placing the refrigerator on its side if possible. Secure the refrigerator to the truck with additional straps along the top and sides of the refrigerator. It’s easier to keep the refrigerator on the dolly at this point rather than having to re-secure it once it reaches its final destination.
10. Wait before plugging in and adding food.
Once you take your refrigerator to its new location, wait a couple of hours before plugging it back in. If for any reason you had to move the refrigerator while it was on its side, be sure to keep it upright for twice as long as it was on. your side before plugging it back in. Once you plug it back in, wait the manufacturer’s recommended amount of time before adding food, which ranges from 24 to 72 hours.
Do not forget:
• If you are not plugging your refrigerator back in the correct way, keep the doors open to prevent odour build-up.
• Always store the refrigerator in an upright position.
• Make sure dolly weight is balanced before moving any large appliance.
• If you need to climb a flight of stairs, consider placing an additional person at the bottom. They can help you carry the refrigerator up the stairs as you climb the dolly step by step.
