Moving a refrigerator from one location to another can be daunting, especially if you are not experienced in moving large appliances. Taking the proper steps and precautions when relocating your fridge and freezer is important, as there could be potential safety risks without the necessary preparation. In this article, we will equip you with all you need to know about safely moving a refrigerator.
Are you struggling to move a refrigerator?
Whether you’re in the middle of a home remodel, relocating for a job, or just upgrading your kitchen, there’s no easy way to transport large appliances like refrigerators from one place to another. That’s why Horizon Movers is here – we specialize in ensuring all heavy and delicate pieces are moved properly and safely.
Our experienced team will ensure your refrigerator arrives without any damages or delays. We also provide added services such as appliance installation so that you can skip over worrying about how everything needs to be connected at the new location – leave it up to us!
Horizon Movers: Expert in Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Moving
We understand that settling into a new house or apartment can be daunting, especially when moving large appliances such as refrigerators. As one of the largest, heaviest, and costliest appliances in many homes, the refrigerator can pose a significant challenge to even the most experienced movers. It’s also one of the trickiest to move.
With their bulk and weight, refrigerators require proper handling to avoid damage and serious harm. That’s why mastering the proper techniques for moving a refrigerator is essential to ensuring a successful transfer.
While there is no magic solution to make moving a refrigerator less strenuous, at Horizon Movers, our team of experienced professionals is equipped with the expertise and specialized equipment necessary to transport your refrigerator safely and efficiently, giving you peace of mind during the moving process.
Cost of Pickup Truck with Furniture Sliders
When it comes to moving a refrigerator, it’s important to ensure that the vehicle you choose, whether rented or owned, is of sufficient size to accommodate the appliance. In some cases, the length of the fridge may exceed the capacity of an ordinary pickup truck, necessitating the use of a trailer or larger vehicle.
If you opt to rent a vehicle, be sure to inquire about furniture sliders as well. Many truck rental services offer these useful tools at an additional cost, which can be a small price to pay for avoiding the strain of lifting the fridge into the back of the truck alone. By taking these important considerations into account, you can ensure a smooth and successful move of your valuable appliance.
How to Move a Refrigerator in 6 Steps
Step 1: Clear Out Your Fridge
A fridge must be empty before being moved. Your refrigerator doors should be empty of all food, beverages, ice packs, and other goods. Please remove the drawers and shelves to protect them from damage during the move. However, if you’re moving long distances, you’ll undoubtedly need to throw out the food and defrost the fridge.
Before moving the refrigerator, disconnect the water supply, unplug it, open the doors, and let it sit for at least six to eight hours. Where you go determines what you do with the meal. The destination of your move will determine what you should do with the food. If you’re moving nearby, you can transfer perishable items to coolers with ice. Additionally, if you plan on reassembling your fridge within a few hours, you typically won’t need to defrost it.
Step 2: Defrost the Fridge if Needed
If your freezer has excessive frost buildup, you will need to defrost it before moving. This process can take 6 to 8 hours, so it’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time before the relocation. It’s recommended to defrost the freezer the night before the move to give it enough time to fully defrost and be cleaned out in the morning.
Step 3: Clear a Path
It would be best if you cleared a path for your refrigerator to exit the house. Find the nearest door through which the refrigerator can be transported, whether it’s the front door, a sliding glass door in the kitchen, or a garage door.
Using a tape measure, carefully measure any doors, stairs, or tight corners that the refrigerator will need to pass through. With these measurements in mind, remove any obstacles or impediments from the path. The last thing you want is to trip or damage your refrigerator (or risk injury to yourself) due to a poorly planned path.
Step 4: Prepare the Fridge and Power Cord
To ensure your refrigerator is ready for transport, you have to take it apart, detach the fridge from the wall, and unhook it before moving. If your refrigerator is compact, you might only need to take the handles off to make it fit through the opening. Removing the doors from larger refrigerators, though.
Although it may seem like a lot, in most cases, it only requires removing a few bolts, wiring, and water plugs. If you’re unsure or hesitant, consider enlisting the help of a professional such as Horizon Movers, who can take care of the process for you. Once you’ve disassembled the necessary parts, wrap the refrigerator in a moving blanket and secure it with a sturdy rubber band or moving wrap. If you choose not to remove the doors, ensure that they remain firmly shut during transport to avoid any potential damage.
Step 5: Load Your Fridge onto the Truck
To load the refrigerator into the moving truck, it is recommended to get help from others, especially if the fridge is large and heavy. Keep the fridge upright to prevent any damage to the unit or its internal components.
- Get a helper, and put your moving straps on.
- Gently tilt your refrigerator, then slide the extra straps under.
- For the second strap, repeat.
- Move the refrigerator slowly by carefully lifting it with your companion.
- Ask someone else to lead you.
Step 6: Transport the Fridge through Moving Truck
To ensure the refrigerator is safely transported, ratcheting straps can be used to secure the fridge in an upright position in the vehicle. It is important to avoid laying the refrigerator on its side as this can cause damage to the internal components of the unit. Once the fridge is secured in the vehicle, it can be transported to the new residence.
How to Transport the Refrigerator Safely
- Keep it upright: This prevents falls and ensures you can plug it in right away.
- Use moving blankets: Wrap the fridge to protect its surface during the move.
- Secure it in the moving truck: Use straps or tightly packed items to keep it from shifting during transportation.
Step 7: Set up Your Fridge Gently
After transporting the refrigerator to your new residence, carefully unload it and start reassembling the pieces you disassembled. Attach the refrigerator to the wall and turn on the water supply. However, if the refrigerator was on its side at any point during the move, it’s important to wait 24 hours before plugging it in. This is to allow the refrigerant to drain back down and prevent potential damage to the appliance.
Benefits of Professional Fridge and Ice Maker Installation
To ensure a smooth and efficient refrigerator installation process, it’s highly recommended to seek professional help. Moving a fridge can be a challenging and time-consuming task, so entrusting the job to experienced professionals can save you valuable time and effort.
Why Do People Choose Horizon Movers?
Moving your refrigerator can be a challenging task, which is why many people choose Horizon Movers for their relocation needs. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Professional Expertise: Horizon Movers has the experience and equipment necessary to move your refrigerator safely and efficiently. Our movers are skilled professionals with the know-how to transport appliances and other household items without causing damage.
- Honest and Accurate Pricing: We provide transparent and straightforward pricing with no hidden fees. We understand that moving can be costly, so we offer accurate pricing that helps save our customers time and money.
- Timely and Efficient Service: We value your time as much as our own. That’s why we keep our arrival windows at 2 hours or less and, in some cases, eliminate them altogether. We own all our vehicles, so we know them inside and out, which ensures that we provide efficient and timely service.
- In-Person and In-Home Estimate: Our team offers in-person and in-home estimates to provide accurate and honest pricing. We don’t believe in hidden fees or surprises regarding our customers’ moving expenses.
- Licensed, Insured, and Certified: We are licensed, insured, and certified to give you peace of mind during the moving process. You can trust that your possessions are in safe hands with Horizon Movers.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you move your refrigerator safely and stress-free. With the help of Horizon Movers, you can relax knowing that your fridge will make it safe and sound without any damage or disasters!
Tips on Cleaning your Fridge’s Dimensions
Cleaning the interior of your refrigerator is a great way to maintain its freshness and hygiene. In addition, cleaning the exterior dimensions is also essential for maintaining the lifespan of your fridge.
Here are some tips on how you can clean these areas:
- Vacuum the dust out of all crevices using an upholstery tool attachment.
- Use a damp sponge or cloth to remove debris from the refrigerator’s sides, top, and bottom.
- Clean finger marks off the fridge with a mild detergent water mixture.
- Ensure all surfaces are dry before reinstalling shelves and other compartments to prevent any molding or rusting from occurring.
Properly caring for your refrigerator’s outer surfaces will extend its lifespan and ensure that your food is stored in a clean and hygienic environment. Contact Horizon Movers for more information on how to move and maintain the refrigerator safely!
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Move a Refrigerator
Q: How heavy is a refrigerator?
A: The weight of the average refrigerator can range from 200-500 pounds, with some models weighing even more. It’s important to check your appliance’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for the exact weight to know how many people it will take to move it properly and safely.
Q: How do I unplug my refrigerator?
A: Always ensure the refrigerator is unplugged before you attempt to move it, and eliminate hazards like bungee cords. To do this, locate the power cord straight at the back of your fridge and pull it out carefully. Finally, you should wrap it up and secure it with tape so it won’t get tangled during transportation.
Q: How can I prevent my refrigerator from getting damaged?
A: The best way to protect your refrigerator is to have a professional team handle the move. At Horizon Movers, we have the experience and expertise necessary to safely move your fridge with minimal risk of damage or accidents. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you!
Final Thoughts
Moving a fridge is not easy, and it’s best left to the professionals. We have years of experience moving heavy appliances like refrigerators and freezers at Horizon Movers.
We know how to disconnect them properly, load them onto the truck, transport them safely, and deliver them to your new home. Let us take care of everything so you can focus on other things during your move. Contact us today for a quote!
