How to Prepare a Refrigerator for Moving
Moving a refrigerator can be frustrating if not done correctly. It is not something that can be approached the day of. To correctly relocate it, there needs to be planning and preparations. The professionals at Heroes Moving and Storage have plenty of experience in this. We can provide guidance and tips on how to prepare a refrigerator for moving.
If you opt not to use professional movers, there can be large risks. Fridges can leak, collect mold or mildew, and during moving, they can scratch or damage walls and floors. Our Richmond movers recommend using our services or following our tips and instructions.
Fridge Moving Tips
Here are a few tips from our movers and team to help you prepare for moving a fridge.
Tip #1: Empty the Fridge
When starting an empty fridge will be much easier to move than a full one. About a week in advance, take the time to start eating the food inside or disposing of items that won’t be taken with you or won’t make it through the moving process. Another option is to find storage or donate the food to someone else. Once the fridge is empty, take out the drawers and shelves.
Tip #2: Disconnect Wiring and Water Lines
If the fridge has an in-door screen or an ice and water dispenser, the water lines and wiring need to be disconnected. It is important to focus on the water line. It is simple, but when anything involves water, a major factor to remember is to completely turn off the water. If the water is not turned off, it can cause damage, and a plumber will need to get involved. Due to liability reasons, it is often asked that these lines are disconnected for the movers.
Tip #3: Defrost the Fridge
If your fridge is moving from one kitchen to the next immediately, depending on the length of the move and the weather, it should not need to be defrosted. Short trips mean no defrosting, while with moves longer than six to eight hours, it is recommended to defrost. If the move is happening during wintertime in a cold-weather climate, the fridge is often fine if not defrosted. However, if it is a summertime move, then the fridge could defrost in the moving truck, leading to leaks and a mess once it gets to its next destination.
If the fridge will be kept in storage, then it needs to be defrosted to avoid a mess and other issues.
Tip #4: If Necessary, Remove the Doors
After the defrosting and the fridge is dry inside, then the doors of the fridge or your home can be removed. This will help reduce the risk of scratches or damages to both your home and the fridge. When moving a fridge, this isn’t the easiest appliance to move, so taking the doors off to make the refrigerator smaller or the exit way larger can make it a lot easier.
Tip #5: Protect the Fridge, Walls, and Floors
For this part of the move, it is important to understand how to lift a refrigerator. If you are moving out of or into a rental, protecting the walls and floors should be a key priority. Use rubber mats on the floor wherever the refrigerator will be rolled or moved through. They are very heavy, and if they get dragged or dropped, they can damage the floors or be damaged themselves. Our movers always use and advise the use of a four-wheeled-dolly so that the refrigerator can be pushed easily.
Bonus Tip: Use shrink wrap around the entirety of the fridge as an added measure of protection from scratches.
Tip #6: Safely Secure in the Truck
To secure the refrigerator into the moving truck, use ratchet straps or rope. The last thing you’ll want to deal with is your fridge rolling around and getting damaged because it wasn’t tied down tightly enough. Having a fridge fall over in the truck also means it could crush another piece of furniture or something else valuable.
Contact Us!
If you have any further questions about moving tips, contact us today. You can also learn more from our moving blog!