How to move a refrigerator
What is one of the more challenging household items to move? If you were to quiz twenty people the majority would answer that it is the refrigerator. Refrigerators are no doubt considered a big and heavy duty appliance. Bulky by nature, the refrigerator is not one of those items that you can successfully move alone. Moving experts say that moving a refrigerator can even pose a bit of a problem for those who may be equipped with professional moving equipment such as a dolly. Rather you would be better off purchasing two large pizzas so that you can woo as many helping hands as possible not to help you eat… yet but to help you move the refrigerator from its current location.
One of the first things you have to do to prep your refrigerator for moving is to first unplug it. The refrigerator should be unplugged and defrost some six hours before moving. Refrigerators usually come with several compartments so your next task would be to start cleaning the interior of the refrigerator as you move the shelves and trays along the way. After drying the interior of the fridge, you can start removing the parts of the appliance such as its hinges and handles, trays and shelves. These parts must be placed in a safe place for reassembling later. For the hinges and handles, you can place them in a labeled plastic zipped bag.
The last thing you need is to be moving the refrigerator and the doors won’t stay closed. To avoid this, it is best to tie the refrigerator with a strong type of material such as a bungee cords or ropes. You may be inclined to go the cheaper route by taping down the refrigerator doors but this can truly damage your refrigerator’s appearance when you attempt to remove the tape at the new home. Now you are ready to move the appliance and to do so moving experts suggest that the refrigerator is held upright.
As you and your helpers start to lift the appliance, remember to do so with extra care as it would not be a good thing if it tilts too much. Take your time and hoist the refrigerator so that you can place it on the dolly. Once on the dolly you can roll it slowly to the moving truck. Even as you start loading it on the truck, you must maintain that upright position as much as possible. If you were to lay the refrigerator sideways, you run the risk of filling the cooling tubes with compressor oil which could cause problems with your refrigerator when plugged in. Similarly, carrying the refrigerator on its back is also not recommended. When you get to your new home and have positioned your refrigerator, you are advised to wait a few hours before plugging it in. This would be enough time for the oil to return to the compressor.
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