When moving, you have to take into account the transport of heavy appliances such as a refrigerator. Transporting a refrigerator is no easy task. This must be done very carefully. By following the correct steps, you can arrange the transport of your refrigerator without any hassle and safely.
Take everything out of the fridge
The first step in preparing to transport a refrigerator is to get everything out of it. If there are foods that rot quickly, it is better to give them away. Make sure that both the fridge and freezer compartments are completely empty before sliding the fridge. Also, remove anything stuck to the fridge such as magnets, paper and decorative items.
Remove shelves
Then remove all shelves and drawers and other parts that can be detached from the refrigerator. It can also be useful to secure these parts with adhesive tape so that they do not slide during transport. But the best thing is to take them out and pack them separately. You can protect the racks by wrapping them in towels and putting them in a box together. Do not forget to indicate on the box that it must be handled with care.
Unplug and defrost
Unplug the refrigerator. Make sure that the cord remains in place during transport. If your fridge has an ice maker, don’t forget to turn it off. Defrost the freezer compartment. This can take six to eight hours. So make sure you have enough time to let the freezer compartment defrost. It is useful to do this the night before the move. In the morning you can then dry the inside of the refrigerator.
Close tightly
Use a strong rope or cord to close the refrigerator and freezer tightly. Also tie the door handles together if the refrigerator has a double door. Make sure that you do not tie the doors of the refrigerator too tightly, to prevent them from closing properly. It is not recommended to use tape to secure the door as it can either damage the refrigerator paint or leave a residue. If the move is planned for more than a day, it is recommended to leave the doors ajar to allow for air flow and prevent mold from growing in the refrigerator.
Use tool
Use the correct equipment when moving the refrigerator. One of the best devices you can use is a hand truck, which makes it easier to move the weight of the refrigerator. Especially if it has to be transported downstairs.
Moving the refrigerator
Get help from at least two other people to move the refrigerator. Slide the refrigerator off the wall, lift it and slowly place it on the hand truck. Tie the refrigerator around the hand truck to make sure it doesn’t slide. Make sure that the refrigerator does not tip over when lifting and positioning it on the hand truck. The safest way to move a refrigerator is upright so that the oil does not seep into the cooling tubes.
Transport refrigerator lying down
It is not recommended to transport the refrigerator lying down. If you put it on the side or back, the oil can flow into the compressor and cooling tubes. When you put the refrigerator back upright, the oil cannot drain completely from the cooling tubes, so that the refrigerator no longer cools properly. If it is unavoidable to transport the refrigerator lying flat, make sure that it is not completely flat. Place a box under the top of the refrigerator to do this.
Down with the fridge
The best way to transport the refrigerator down the stairs is to go down one step at a time. Have two people carry it at the front of the hand truck and another at the back, who also holds the handles. In this way, the hand truck and refrigerator can be slowly moved downwards. Ask additional people to help if needed.
Stand refrigerator upright
Put the refrigerator upright when it arrives at its new destination. Let the refrigerator sit for at least three hours before plugging it in. This will cause the oil and liquid to flow back to the compressor. This will prevent any damage to the device. It takes about three days for the refrigerator to reach the ideal cooling temperature and be ready for use.