What You Need to Know When Moving Your Refrigerator
Moving to a new place is exciting, but it certainly takes a lot of hard work. Transporting appliances such as refrigerators can especially be challenging because you risk breaking some of their sensitive internal parts. One wrong move can cost you a fully-functioning refrigerator or damaged floors, so there are some essential things you need to know before moving the appliance.
How Long Do I Need to Turn off the Refrigerator before Moving It?
Before you transport a refrigerator, it’s essential to allow the evaporator to fully defrost, so it’s best to unplug it the night before you move it. Turning the refrigerator off the night before moving it also allows the fluids inside the refrigerator to settle down, preventing any leaks from happening. You’ll also have to clean out all the contents of the fridge—ice included—to prevent any leaks or build-up of odors.
Can I Plug in My Refrigerator Immediately after I’ve Moved It?
After relocating your refrigerator to its new location, you can plug it in immediately if it was transported in a fully upright position all the way. You don’t have to let it rest for a while. If you’ve transported your refrigerator on its side, allow it to stand upright for a couple of hours.
How long you’ll have to wait until you plug in your refrigerator will depend on how long it’s been on its side during transportation. If the refrigerator spent an hour on its side during transit, then you will have to let it rest upright for an hour before you plug it in. If it spent a full day on its side, then you will have to let it rest for a day as well.
Is It Safe to Transport a Refrigerator on Its Side?
When transporting a refrigerator, it’s always best to move it in an upright position to avoid moving its sensitive internal mechanisms. This goes for any size of refrigerator, from mini-fridges to their double-door counterparts.
It’s not advisable to transport a refrigerator on its side because you risk the compressor oils leaking into the coolant lines. This can cause clogs and can damage the refrigerator. If it’s impossible to move the refrigerator upright, however, you can reduce the potential damages by positioning it so that the compressor tube is facing upwards. If the compressor lines exit on the left side, it’s best to lay down the fridge on its right side and vice versa.
Moving a refrigerator on its side requires you to let it rest upright for a while before you plug it in. This is because you have to allow any oils to flow back into the compressor and steer clear of the coolant lines.
How Can I Keep the Refrigerator from Scratching the Floor?
This is a common problem that many homeowners face—their heavy refrigerators sometimes damage the floors when they move them. To prevent this from happening, tilt the refrigerator gently and put a sturdy piece of cardboard beneath it. Afterwards, you can push the refrigerator into its cubbyhole. Once the refrigerator is in place, you can gently tilt the fridge again to remove the piece of cardboard.
Moving Your Refrigerator Into Your New Home
Moving to a new place is challenging, especially when you have to transport your heavy appliances. Thankfully, you now have the knowledge to properly transport your refrigerator, preventing any damages from happening. It’s best to keep this information in mind as you move to your new home.
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