Let’s be actual. Transferring a fridge is a kind of duties that sounds easy till you’re staring down a 300-pound equipment with no clue the place to start out. It’s cumbersome, it’s heavy, and if you happen to mess it up, you would possibly find yourself with a busted equipment, busted home, or busted again.
Luckily, we spoke with 5 transferring professionals who’ve wrangled extra fridges than most of us have opened. So if you happen to’re planning to maneuver a fridge from your private home in Salt Lake Metropolis, UT, to your subsequent home in San Antonio, TX, or simply throughout the kitchen, learn this primary.
Don’t simply yank it—prep it
Earlier than you even take into consideration budging that fridge an inch, it must be correctly prepped. This isn’t a grab-it-and-go operation.
“Remove food and loose shelves. Clean the interior. Unplug and secure the power cord. Disconnect and drain the water line if applicable,” says Landon Franchow of Miracle Movers. Mainly, deal with your fridge prefer it’s occurring trip and also you’re the accountable roommate ensuring every thing’s clear and shut off..
And talking of unplugging, do it early. Like, the evening earlier than.
“At least 24 hours before moving to allow defrosting and temperature stabilization,” Landon provides. That offers the fridge time to defrost if there’s any frost buildup, which is vital except you need to create an impromptu water function within the transferring truck. “It takes 4 to 24 hours. Plan to use towels to absorb any water runoff.”
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Wrapping and strapping, not only for items
As soon as your fridge is prepped, it’s time to cocoon it like the delicate beast it’s.
“Wrap the fridge with a moving blanket and stretch wrap to avoid exterior damage,” says Robert Ball of Uinta Transferring Firm. “Place the fridge upright against the wall [of the moving truck] and attach a ratchet strap beneath the fridge door handles. When securing the strap, ensure the strap is not putting any stress on any fragile components.”
Sure, upright. All the time upright.
“The fridge always needs to be placed upright while transporting,” says Robert. “Otherwise it can cause damage to key components internally, most specifically the freezing and cooling units.”
Price Verify: What if you happen to pay somebody to do that?
If transferring your fridge sounds extra aggravating than your final group chat meltdown, you would possibly contemplate hiring professionals.
“We do not have any additional charge for moving fridges if it is part of a [larger] move,” says Robert. “If it’s just the fridge being moved alone, it would likely be between $200–$400.”
Truthfully, that’s a small value to pay to maintain your backbone intact.
Able to plug it in? Not so quick
You lastly made it to your new place. Your fridge survived. You’re hungry. Time to plug it in, proper? Not essentially.
“If your refrigerator was transported in a vertical position, it is safe to plug it in at your destination without delay,” says Kevin of Trinity Movers. “However, if it was laid on its side or transported horizontally, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours to allow the oil and refrigerant to settle.”
Nobody needs a fried compressor since you had been too keen to sit back a soda.
Did one thing go unsuitable? Right here’s methods to inform
Even with all the most effective prep, typically issues get bumpy. Preserve a watch (and ear) out.
“Inspect your refrigerator thoroughly for any visible dings, dents, or damage,” says Kevin. “Ensure that the doors are properly aligned and functioning correctly. Pay attention to any unusual noises… and check for any missing screws, bolts, or other hardware.”
If something appears off, belief your instincts. Or higher but, name within the professionals.
Pink flags when hiring movers
Not all movers are created equal, particularly relating to home equipment.
Kevin warns, “Avoid movers that don’t offer a full value protection plan… make sure to get it in writing… [and] avoid movers who only offer basic insurance coverage, which typically costs $0.60 per pound per article,” which isn’t almost sufficient in case your fridge finally ends up busted.
Additionally, in case your fridge has a water line, “Ensure that the movers demonstrate the water is properly connected and turned on. Inspect the area for any signs of leaks,” Kevin provides.
Rookie errors to keep away from
Joe from Rocky Movers sees the identical goofs over and over:
“One of the biggest mistakes is not properly securing the fridge before moving it. Many people forget to empty and defrost it ahead of time, which can lead to leaks and damage. Others move it on its side for too long, which can cause compressor issues. Skipping proper padding and not securing it in the moving truck can also lead to dents and scratches.”
In a nutshell: prep it, pad it, strap it, and stand it up straight.
Professional ideas for protecting it protected
“To keep your fridge safe, start by emptying and defrosting it at least 24 hours before the move,” Joe provides. “Secure all shelves and doors with tape or straps, and always transport it in an upright position whenever possible. Use a dolly with straps for support, and make sure to pad it well to prevent dents. In the moving truck, secure it against a wall to prevent shifting.”
And if catastrophe strikes, like your fridge tipping over?
“Don’t panic,” says Joe. “First, set it upright and let it sit unplugged for at least 24 hours. This allows the oil in the compressor to settle back properly. Before plugging it in, check for visible damage or leaks. If you hear unusual noises or if it doesn’t cool properly, call a professional to inspect it.”
Bonus: Right here’s the way you don’t trash your flooring
Your fridge might survive the transfer, however will your flooring?
“Fridges and other appliances should always be properly wrapped and secured prior to moving,” says Vlad of SpyderMoving. “Use premium floor mats for doors, rails and handle covers protection is always a plus… and should be requested.”
And as soon as it’s on the dolly? Vlad recommends utilizing “Strappings and tie-downs when transporting appliances on moving equipment like a dolly” to assist keep away from dents and dings to each your equipment and your partitions.
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Transferring a fridge doesn’t must suck
With a bit of prep, the fitting instruments, and a few sage recommendation from seasoned movers, you possibly can conquer fridge relocation like a professional, and keep away from a visit to pressing care or an emergency name to an equipment restore tech..
So long as you retain it upright, strap it down, and provides it time to decompress (actually), your fridge will hold its cool, and so will you.
