How To Move A Refrigerator The Right Way

 

You can save Movers' cost by moving a refrigerator yourself. But it is possible? Yes, if you take the time to learn and know how to move a fridge the right way.

When moving home, people often forget one of the most important things to prepare for before moving is the refrigerator. Singh Movers expert staff for removal issues are often asked what things can and must not stay in the fridge for a safe and efficient move. Well, it really is not so complicated, but removing the refrigerator requires a little care and planning ahead to make sure the food is not wasted. 

And more essential, so that your refrigerator does not thaw during shifting and leak out your other belongings during the moving process!

Depending on your situation, it may sometimes be best to leave this job to professional movers. But if that's not an option, we've covered you. To make sure that this expensive household appliance is not damaged, have a little patience when planning and use all the right tools. This guide will help you move a refrigerator from A to B, no matter how far it has to travel.

You’ll need:

• Appliance dolly with straps

• Measuring tape

• Screwdriver or drill

• Moving blankets

• Tape or rope

• Minimum of two people

Moving a refrigerator does not have to be a nightmare - you just have to know what you are doing. Follow these simple and easy steps to prepare your refrigerator for moving day  and you will be an expert on how to move a fridge:

 

Follow These Steps to Move a Fridge Safely.

 

Preparing the fridge.

 

You will need some preparation time before transporting a refrigerator, so give yourself at least 24 hours to deal with the following steps before moving a Refrigerator to the Right Way.

 

Step 1: Turn off and unplug the fridge the night before you move

When transporting a refrigerator, you must give the evaporator enough time for defrosting, otherwise, you risk damaging it during transport. Turning off the refrigerator the night before also gives the oils and liquids enough time to sit down and stop moving through the compressor. If your refrigerator has an automatic ice machine, you must disconnect the water hose and remove all ice from the compartment to prevent leakage, spillage, and damage when moving a refrigerator.

 

Step 2: Thoroughly clean the refrigerator by removing all food and disinfecting all surfaces

Once you have turned off your refrigerator, you must start the process of removing all food and cleaning it. As soon as you turn off the fridge, it starts to heat up. A hot, dirty fridge makes a very unpleasant smell, so put a little effort into the cleaning process if you want to enjoy a new refrigerator at your new address.

 

Step 3. Empty the refrigerator

As it can take more than a day to move, your refrigerator may not be in operation for a long time. Start by completely emptying the fridge, removing everything in the freezer, storing boxes, compartments, and salad drawers.

 

Prepare for transport.

Now that your refrigerator is completely thawed, it is now safe for transport. Before you start moving, make sure that the refrigerator is well protected and secure any loose objects to prevent scratches and dents. Tape down grills, storage compartments, ice trays, and other objects that can move or slide during transport. Better yet, remove them completely, wrap them in wrapping paper or bubble wrap for a completely separate move.

You also want to attach the refrigerator and freezer doors with movable straps or bungee cord. Finally, use a protective blanket to completely cover the outside of the fridge. This helps to cushion the effect of sudden movements, protect the front of the fridge, and prevent damage to internal components.

 

Step 1: Pack your fridge in professional packaging before covering it with blankets.

A refrigerator is a significant investment. When moving a refrigerator, you need to invest in high-quality packaging materials that protect it from dents, bumps, and scratches, as well as damage to its internal mechanisms. To do this, you need to cover your fridge in two layers of protective packaging.

The first phase involves using professional packaging with quality packing items to provide the first layer of protection. After this, cover the fridge with movable blankets and attach the blankets to the refrigerator with packing tape. Never allow the packaging tape to come into direct contact with the surface of the refrigerator as it may leave residue and permanently label your fridge.

 

Step 2: Measure refrigerators and doorways and then create a moving plane.

How you move your fridge depends largely on how wide it is and how narrow your doorways are. In some cases, you need to remove both the doors of your home and the doors of your fridge so that they can fit through.

Take a tape measure and notepad and then note the height, width, and depth of your fridge. Then measure the height and width of your doorways and corridors. Create a plan for how to fit the fridge through each doorway. The last thing you want is to have the refrigerator on the dolly and try to push it in through a door, first realizing that it will not fit.

 

Step 3: Remove obstacles such as doors if necessary.

Based on the moving plan you created, it's time to remove anything that gets in the way. Remove the doors from the hinges or remove the stair railings. Get some remaining furniture out of the way, so you get a clear shot out of the house and onto the moving truck.

 

Step 4: Move the refrigerator without scratching the floor

Knowing how to move the refrigerator without scratching the floor is an important aspect of any fridge move. If you are lucky, your refrigerator has wheels on it, which means that all you need to do is gently roll it out of its position. If your refrigerator does not have wheels, you need to be a little more careful. You do not want to mix your refrigerator over the ground as the sharp surfaces underneath will damage the floor. Instead, swing the refrigerator back and slide a sheet or large piece of cardboard under the refrigerator. All you need to do is swing the refrigerator back in the other direction and feed the sheets under the other part of the refrigerator so you have the perfect protective mat for your floor

 

Step 5: Tilt the refrigerator back and move gently (slowly).

Slowly tilt the fridge back and ensure that both the top and bottom of the refrigerator are evenly positioned on the dolly. Remember that a fridge must not be tilted more than 45 degrees. Carefully walk with the dolly to your first step. If you need to set the refrigerator back down at any time, do so slowly and with someone on the other side who can help you steer it down.

 

Transporting the fridge.

 

Step 1: Prevent injuries

Depending on the type (French doors, bottom mount, etc.) and size, a refrigerator can weigh up to 100 kg. You want to do everything you can to prevent serious injuries. Play it safe by following these rules:

• Always move with two or more people so that the weight can be distributed evenly, which reduces the lifting work.

• Use the right equipment that professional movers use such as dolls, trolleys, or moving straps.

 

Step 2: Guide refrigerator into moving or pickup truck.

Guide the fridge with a plank into the Moving truck. A plank or platform is much easier to navigate than trying to lift the refrigerator on the truck yourself.

 

Step 3: Secure the fridge for the move

The best way to secure your refrigerator during transport is to set it against the corner of the interior of your truck, which completely prevents it from moving in two directions. If possible, secure your refrigerator against the railings in the vehicle or use other furniture to create a tight frame around your refrigerator.

 

Step 4: Move the refrigerator carefully and slowly.

When it comes to knowing how to move a fridge, one of the most important steps is the transit process itself. During transport, you must ensure that your refrigerator is moved carefully and slowly. Remember that refrigerators must always be moved in an upright position to protect the internal mechanisms. So you do not want to rush around or over speed pumps, risk hitting your fridge over. When it comes to moving a refrigerator, the race is slowly and steadily winning.

There you have it - transporting a refrigerator does not have to be a nightmare at all!

 

Step 5: Wait before plugging in and adding food.

Finally, once your refrigerator has reached its new destination, do not forget that you have to wait a couple of hours before turning on the fridge, just to allow the internal mechanisms and liquids to settle properly.

Be sure to keep it upright for twice as long as it was on the side before you plug it back in. After connecting it again, wait for the manufacturer's recommended time before adding food, which lasts between 24-72 hours.

 

Do not forget:

If you do not connect your refrigerator back in right away, keep the doors open to prevent it from smelling. 

Always keep a refrigerator in an upright position. Make sure the weight on the dolly is balanced before moving the Refrigerator or any large appliances. If you need to go upstairs, consider placing another person at the bottom. They can help lift the refrigerator up the stairs as you pull the dolly up one step at a time.

If you are looking for a low-cost House removalist Melbourne company that offered service in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or Australia-wide, or a self-pack container removals specialist. Contact us today for your free quote or call 1300 659 221 to speak with one of our team about moving interstate!