Moving a bulky appliance like a fridge for that, you would probably rely on a professional, but if you need that option, then we are here to help you. Before moving your fridge to your new home, you need to ensure many things. Here are the things to do while prepping, moving, and after the move.
The prep
Remove all the items stored inside your fridge, whether food or groceries. Make sure that the fridge is empty. Store the contents from the refrigerator in a cooler if you plan to take all your food items to your new home; if not, you can go ahead and consume your groceries (perishables) before you travel. It would help if you considered removing any glass items like drawers, trays, or shelves to avoid any breakage.
You can wipe the fridge with baking soda and defrost the freezer if you want to keep your fridge from leaking during transport. After you have emptied the fridge and defrosted it, you can go ahead and switch off the refrigerator from the main switch. Make sure to switch it off hours before the move. Although, consider keeping the fridge door open to prevent any odour. Roll the cord and clip it in the back of the fridge.
The move
A fridge is a heavy appliance, so you should consider whether to move it yourself or hire a professional mover. If you are required to change floors during your move, ensure you hire a professional mover.
Hopefully your fridge can easily pass through your door frames towards your main door although it is best to check the size of the appliance along with the size of your rooms & doors. This is applicable to your new house as well. Since it is not possible to dismantle a fridge, make sure you measure your hallways, doors, as well as your fridge beforehand.
While moving, it’d be best if your fridge has movable feet, if not, ensure you use furniture sliders or a cloth to avoid scratching the floor or worse damaging it.The next step is to seal the door shut using tape. Usually, fridges come with lockable doors so this shouldnt be a problem. Also, since the fridge will be transported and tiny shocks to the appliance could affect it, it is recommended to wrap the fridge with bubble wrap or with a blanket or anything that could resist the shocks while moving.
It is recommended that you should transport a refrigerator in a straight standing-up position. Tie the fridge to the vehicle you will be transporting the fridge in and keep it straight till you arrive at your destination.
After the move
After the transfer, ensure that the fridge is upright, unwrap it, and let it sit for at least 2 hours before you use it. Waiting to start the refrigerator so the compressed oil can settle down is good advice. Depending on the type & volume of the fridge, it might take upto 12 hours to cool so it is advisable to not hurry or change the settings for it to cool faster. Allow enough time so you can avoid any damage that might occur. If possible, have it checked by an electrician before you start it, just to be safe.
The last step is to pat yourself on the back after successfully moving your fridge to your new home without any glitches! Follow us for more useful information & tips on safe relocation of your belongings and possessions.