It is always best to avoid laying a fridge or freezer on its side, but there are situations when there is no other option, such as if you only have an estate car to transport it in.
Some of the more contemporary units tend to be a bit better at dealing with movement and, in particular, being on their sides, but this cannot be assured. If you have no alternative but to carry a fridge on its side, leave it upright for about 3 hours before plugging it in and turning it on. Allow it to sit for 24 hours if it has been on its side for more than a day before plugging it in.
Is it Possible to Move a Fridge by Lying It Down?
As previously said, it is always preferable to maintain a fridge or freezer upright when moving, but if this is not possible, be sure to follow the following 9 precautions to preserve your fridge or freezer when moving. If you’re moving the unit in an upright position, you should also follow the steps below:
Turn off the appliance 2 hours before moving, ideally the night before, to allow it to defrost or, if it’s a compact frost-free type, to empty any fluid*.
To avoid tripping or injuring the unit in transit, unplug it from the power and secure the connection before Moving a fridge freezer.
Food, shelves, boxes, and trays should all be removed. Remember to keep any food in a family member’s or friend’s fridge or freezer for the period of the move, as you don’t want anything to spoil or go bad.
Give the refrigerator a thorough cleaning. Use a spray cleaner or a mixture of hot water and fairy liquid. Ensure that you get into all of the corners and that any food items are removed. After cleaning it, give it a nice wipe to dry it. Also, clean the outside and remove any dust, cobwebs, etc…. from the back.
If the door may be closed for more than 24 hours, a charcoal activated odour absorber should be placed inside to prevent it from growing stale.
To keep the door from swinging open in transit, use low tack tape (make sure it’s low tack because heavier tapes can damage the finish) or, better yet, a strap or bungee cord. If your freezer has two doors, such as a top and bottom unit, it’s a good idea to tie both handles together as well.
Make sure you employ the proper equipment, such as sack trucks, while transporting your unit from its current location to the transport vehicle or a new place (also strap the unit to the sack trucks). Fridges and freezers are heavy, awkward devices to transport, and attempting to do so might result in wall damage, scrapes, and, in the worst-case scenario, dropping the unit and destroying or dividing it, rendering it worthless. If you must carry it due to space constraints, make sure you have some help, at least two people, and always lift in the proper manner – take care of your back!
If you have to move up or down a flight of stairs, make sure you have at least two people with you, one in front and one behind the sack truck. If you don’t keep a tight grip on the sack trucks or keep the whole thing at a suitable angle, they can easily escape or topple over due to their size and weight. Also, always take one step at a time down the stairs.
Never put your fridge on its back; instead, place it on the side opposite the hinges so the door doesn’t have to work as hard to open. If you have a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, place the freezer side down (the side with the smaller door). Additionally, if possible, place a strong box or other robust item under the unit’s top to maintain it at an angle and reduce the risk of damage.
How Should I Move or Carry My Refrigerator or Freezer?
To avoid straining your spine, you should never lift the refrigerator alone. Always lift it with at least one other person.
It’s better to examine your refrigerator or freezer, as well as any entrances you’ll have to pass through, to ensure that it will fit.
If you don’t have access to any of the sack trucks mentioned above, you can rent one from a local hiring store. This may be an unnecessary expense, but trust us when we say it’s well worth it!
Make sure the unit is on its side while loading it onto the sack trucks. If you lie it on its back, you risk damaging or crushing the conditioning pipes or radiator.
If the unit is too wide to fit through any doorways or holes when it is on its side, carry it to the opening, unload it from the trucks, maneuver it through, then load it back onto the trucks. If you try to ′′wedge it in there,′′ you will harm the appliance and the opening.
Safely transporting a refrigerator
Use straps to keep the fridge from moving around in the vehicle, and if the fridge has rollers beneath, you may need to use chocks to keep it from rolling around.
Cover the refrigerator with a blanket to protect the outer surfaces and keep them from scratching.
Changing the Location of a Fridge Freezer or Freezer
The method of moving a freezer or a fridge freezer is the same, and you should make sure the freezer is empty and defrosted before attempting to transfer it.
You might have a farewell party and invite your neighbors over to devour the contents of your refrigerator and freezer and say your goodbyes in style!
Placing a Refrigerator, Freezer, or Other Appliance Under a Countertop.
These feet are typically used to keep the unit from rolling around while it is in use, as well as to protect your floor covering. Rubber is also resistant to sliding due to its nature.
When these feet are pressed, floor coverings like linoleum, vinyl, or carpet ruck up and, in some circumstances, tear.
To solve this problem, squirt a small quantity of furniture polish beneath the counter and massage it in with an old cloth or duster, being careful not to get any outside of the opening, since this will create the floor very slippery.
You should be able to slide your item into place easily now that the polish has been applied.
