Tips For Moving A Refrigerator The Right Way

If you have not moved in a decade or more and are finally moving from one home to the next, then you may not really be prepared for the task. This is one reason why it is wise to contact local moving services. If this is not in your budget, then you will need to do a bit of planning to make sure that you have things arranged and worked out properly. This is especially true when it comes to moving your appliances, like your refrigerator. Keep reading to learn about some refrigerator moving tips to assist you on the big day.

Purchase The Right Dolly

Refrigerators and other large items are best moved using tools like a dolly. When it comes to the biggest items, an appliance dolly is best, and this device can be purchased or rented from your local home store. The dolly is a heavy-duty one with high, heavy, and reinforced rails that help to hold and stabilize the weight of larger items. The dollys can be used like other hand trucks, but you will need to use the attached strap to secure the appliance in place. Simply use the d-rings to tighten the strap around the refrigerator.

The strap will be attached to a s-shaped metal bar on the back of the dolly. Make sure the d-ring sits close to this bar, and use the bar as leverage to secure the strap as tightly as possible. The strap should sit at a 90-degree angle to the appliance, so make sure this is the case before trying to move it. 

Also, when you secure the refrigerator, place the bottom plate of the dolly underneath the appliance from the side of it. This helps the appliance to sit flat against the rails for safe moving. While the tightened strap will help to keep the doors of the appliance closed, you will need to make sure that the freezer door is secured if you have a top-freezer refrigerator. A bungee cord works well for this. 

Prepare The Appliance 

You probably know that your refrigerator cannot simply be moved. It needs to be emptied, cleaned, and left to dry overnight. Not only is this important to ensure the refrigerator does not become damaged, but it also reduces weight, keeps messes to a minimum, and stops mold from potentially forming inside the appliance.

If your fridge does not have an automatic defrost feature, then you will need to take a bit of extra time to make sure the freezer defrosts as well. If you can allow the freezer to defrost on its own, then simply open the door, place towels on the floor, and let the ice melt. 

If you are in more of a hurry, then there are a few methods you can use to defrost the freezer more quickly. You can use a hair dryer to melt the ice, you can place a pot of hot water in the freezer and let the steam do the work, or you can use a spritz of rubbing alcohol to encourage quick melting. Whichever method you choose, do not use a hammer or other tool to chip away the ice. This can cause damage to the refrigerant line in the freezer and release the coolant. While pin-sized holes can be repaired, larger ones may require the full replacement of the appliance. 

Let It Sit

Once the appliance has been moved with your dolly, you will need to let it sit for at least a few hours before plugging it back in. Refrigerators have small oil reservoirs that help to keep the compressor motor well lubricated. The oil can seep through the refrigeration line if the refrigerator is tipped on its side. This oil will move back into the reservoir by itself once the appliance is placed in an upright position, but this can take several hours.

Some manufacturers say to let the appliance sit for 24 hours to allow the oil to flow back into place, so check with the appliance manufacturer to see what they recommend.