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 may find yourself with a busted equipment, busted home, or busted again.
Fortuitously, we spoke with 5 shifting execs who’ve wrangled extra fridges than most of us have opened. So if you happen to’re planning to maneuver a fridge out of your residence in Salt Lake Metropolis, UTto your subsequent home in San Antonio, TXor 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.
“Take away meals and unfastened cabinets. Clear the inside. Unplug and safe the facility wire. Disconnect and drain the water line if relevant,” 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 part’s clear and shut off..
And talking of unplugging, do it early. Like, the evening earlier than.
“At the very least 24 hours earlier than shifting to permit defrosting and temperature stabilization,” Landon provides. That offers the fridge time to defrost if there’s any frost buildup, which is necessary until you wish to create an impromptu water function within the shifting truck. “It takes 4 to 24 hours. Plan to make use of towels to soak up 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 shifting blanket and stretch wrap to keep away from exterior harm,” says Robert Ball of Uinta Transferring Firm. “Place the fridge upright in opposition to the wall (of the shifting truck) and fasten a ratchet strap beneath the fridge door handles. When securing the strap, make sure the strap is just not placing any stress on any fragile parts.”
Sure, upright. At all times upright.
“The fridge at all times must be positioned upright whereas transporting,” says Robert. “In any other case it could trigger harm to key parts internally, most particularly the freezing and cooling items.”
Value Test: What if you happen to pay somebody to do that?
If shifting your fridge sounds extra aggravating than your final group chat meltdown, you may think about hiring execs.
“We wouldn’t have any further cost for shifting fridges whether it is a part of a (bigger) transfer,” says Robert. “If it’s simply the fridge being moved alone, it could probably 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.
“In case your fridge was transported in a vertical place, it’s protected to plug it in at your vacation spot directly,” says Kevin of Trinity Movers. “Nonetheless, if it was laid on its facet or transported horizontally, it is strongly recommended to attend a minimum of 24 hours to permit the oil and refrigerant to settle.”
Nobody needs a fried compressor since you have been too keen to relax a soda.
Did one thing go unsuitable? Right here’s the right way to inform
Even with all the perfect prep, generally issues get bumpy. Hold an eye fixed (and ear) out.
“Examine your fridge totally for any seen dings, dents, or harm,” says Kevin. “Be certain that the doorways are correctly aligned and functioning accurately. Take note of any uncommon noises… and verify for any lacking screws, bolts, or different {hardware}.”
If something appears off, belief your instincts. Or higher but, name within the execs.
Crimson flags when hiring movers
Not all movers are created equal, particularly in relation to home equipment.
Kevin warns, “Keep away from movers that don’t provide a full worth safety plan… ensure that to get it in writing… (and) keep away from movers who solely provide primary insurance coverage protection, which generally prices $0.60 per pound per article,” which isn’t practically sufficient in case your fridge finally ends up busted.
Additionally, in case your fridge has a water line, “Be certain that the movers reveal the water is correctly linked and turned on. Examine the world for any indicators of leaks,” Kevin provides.
Rookie errors to keep away from
Joe from Rocky Movers sees the identical goofs again and again:
“One of many greatest errors is just not correctly securing the fridge earlier than shifting it. Many individuals overlook to empty and defrost it forward of time, which may result in leaks and harm. Others transfer it on its facet for too lengthy, which may trigger compressor points. Skipping correct padding and never securing it within the shifting truck may also result in dents and scratches.”
In a nutshell: prep it, pad it, strap it, and stand it up straight.
Professional ideas for preserving it protected
“To maintain your fridge protected, begin by emptying and defrosting it a minimum of 24 hours earlier than the transfer,” Joe provides. “Safe all cabinets and doorways with tape or straps, and at all times transport it in an upright place every time doable. Use a dolly with straps for help, and ensure to pad it properly to stop dents. Within the shifting truck, safe it in opposition to a wall to stop 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 a minimum of 24 hours. This enables the oil within the compressor to settle again correctly. Earlier than plugging it in, verify for seen harm or leaks. If you happen to hear uncommon noises or if it doesn’t cool correctly, name an expert to examine it.”
Bonus: Right here’s the way you don’t trash your flooring
Your fridge could survive the transfer, however will your flooring?
“Fridges and different home equipment ought to at all times be correctly wrapped and secured previous to shifting,” says Vlad of SpyderMoving. “Use premium ground mats for doorways, rails and deal with covers safety is at all times a plus… and must be requested.”
And as soon as it’s on the dolly? Vlad recommends utilizing “Strappings and tie-downs when transporting home equipment on shifting tools 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 little bit prep, the correct instruments, and a few sage recommendation from seasoned movers, you’ll be able to 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.
