Moving fridge long distance ~ Bellhop Bellhop Blog

Moving a refrigerator is an exceptionally heavy task that could become dangerous in the blink of an eye. The best way to get one safely out of your home, office or apartment? Hire experienced professional movers! If you want it done right – and without unnecessary injury – Bellhop should be your go-to move for your refrigerator long distance. Not only do they have plenty of experience moving any size fridge with ease, but also durable equipment like dollies, bungee cords, bubble wrap and ropes are provided free at every job site as well as manpower so no headache will come from trying to figure out how many people need on each side during lifting process.

Refrigerator Moving Guidelines

Follow these instructions to ensure your refrigerator is moved successfully:

Fridge preparation before transport

  • Disconnect fridge, the refrigerator should be turned off. This should be done two to three hours before moving to give the evaporator time to defrost.
  • Turn off the power source. The power cord needs to be disconnected from the wall.
  • Next, remove all foods, especially perishable items and give your refrigerator a good scrub. If you’re going to be on the move with it for more than one day, place either activated charcoal or baking soda at the bottom of the fridge as these substances are excellent absorbers of odors.
  • Sticking with the theme of safety, make sure loose items including the shelves are secured in place by taping them to securing them in place. It will protect both the shelving and the refrigerator’s interior, as well as its doors, which can be damaged by opening in transit. 
  • We all know that we should have a clean refrigerator, free of spills, but did you ever think about the dangers on the outside? Fridges are often knocked and scratched during a move. A simple blanket will provide extra protection, prevent damage from scratches as well as dirt getting stuck in between its vents!

 

Fridge during transport:

  •  It is best to load the refrigerator upright in a moving truck. This will reduce the risk of a damaged sealed system or loose items being damaged.

You can follow these tips if it is not possible to avoid laying down the refrigerator:

Top-Freezer models: Lay it on the opposite side of the hinge to prevent refrigerator doors from opening.

Side-by-Side models: There is less likelihood of that door opening when laid on the freezer side.

Bellhop - "Best Movers Ever'
  • Exception: Built-in models side-by-side should follow the information for Built-Ins.

Bottom-Freezer and French-Door models: Although they can be tilted to a 45 degree angle to fit through doorways, these must always remain upright.

Compact models: They should always be upright. Due to the design of the drain, compact models should always be kept upright to prevent drain water from flowing back into the appliance, unless it is brand new. It should always be turned off a day in advance and allowed to drain if it needs to travel on its side to avoid any damage.

Built-In models: When transported in a vehicle, built-in refrigerators must always be positioned upright. A refrigerator dolly is needed to transport it inside the house, in which case it can be tilted to one side for a short period of time. 

The Better Way to Move
  • In some cases, it is possible for Column models to be tilted back when transported on a dolly. It should be done before removing the packaging from the unit.
  • Secure the fridge in a moving van: Rollers are not an option. If you need to move your refrigerator on rollers, be sure it is securely balanced and that all of its contents have been removed before loading so they don’t fall out during transit.

Moving the fridge onto the rental truck

  • Trucking from the front or rear of a dolly will result in potential damage. When using a dolly or hand truck, always truck from the side as an extra precaution to avoid any unnecessary wear and tear on your fridge.
  • Move the fridge slowly. Slowly tilt the fridge onto a dolly and move it carefully to ensure both top and bottom are level. The best angle for tilting is not more than 45 degrees, so be careful when you walk! If your first step becomes too difficult or dangerous with this heavy load, find someone to help hold one side while you guide the other down slowly enough that no part of the fridge slips off prematurely.
  • Move the fridge forward and slide it out to strap onto your dolly. A refrigerator is usually on wheels, so you can easily just push/pull it straight without worrying about lifting or carrying much of the weight. Be very careful when moving a full-sized appliance, as we want all hands free for extra safety! Just be sure to keep knees bent with back upright while pushing/pulling towards your destination; this will also help protect against injury during transport.
  • As one person lifts the fridge, another slides a moving appliance dolly underneath it. The straps tighten on either side of the refrigerator to secure it into place as you push forward with your foot and pull back with your arms.
  • Use a plank to guide the fridge into the moving truck or pickup truck. A plank is much easier than trying to lift it onto your vehicle, and you’ll be more likely to get everything on there in time for departure!

Fridge after transport:

  • If you have to transport your fridge on its side, make sure it has been standing upright for the same amount of time before plugging in. If that is more than a day or two then leave it stand up for 24 hours after you’ve plugged it back in.
  • If it has been moved in an upright position, just being serviced, cleaned with a soft cloth, or adjusted, a few minutes of standing will be sufficient before plugging in.

Measure your fridge dimensions and doorways

Doorways and entryways should be measured before you buy a new home. Make sure the refrigerator will fit through your front door, down hall ways, around any corners in other rooms or off of balconies that may lead to another room which has its own doorway and entrance.

The clunky old refrigerator you’ve had for years is probably not the most energy efficient. New models are much more suited to modern homes and will save on your electricity bill in no time! Most appliance dealers also offer free installation services saving you plenty of time!

Techniques for protecting the floors from damage

A popular floor protection technique in preventing floor damage is to use an appliance dolly with rubber wheels when moving a fridge.

Basic floor protection methods moving your refrigerator, is with furniture sliders or plywood panels.

For those of you who have a difficult time moving your cumbersome item out from the tight space in the kitchen, furniture sliders are just what you need. Before placing a fridge onto an appliance dolly before moving them downstairs or over floors loaded with sharp objects like nails there’s one thing all people should do which will ensure this job goes smoothly without damaging anything. They allow anyone to move their refrigerator with minimal effort since it is feet off ground as opposed to being dragged across the flooring.

The best way to get your refrigerator into its final resting place is with a small piece of plywood. Just make sure you have someone on standby next to the fridge when it first starts sliding because they’ll need some help tilting the appliance onto one side and getting that first board in place under it, then after that just slide another panel underneath. 

Appliance movers

In this article, we’ve explored the risks associated with moving heavy appliances namely a fridge long distance without hiring professional movers. So if you’re considering doing it yourself and think it’s going to be easy -think again! An appliance repair specialist charges on average $500 for refrigerant replacement alone should there be any leaks or mishaps during your move. To make matters worse, a heavy kitchen appliance like a fridge is not only heavy but it’s a bulky appliance and awkward to lift and carry. These factors can cause lifting injuries or even back strains from carrying them. If that doesn’t sound appealing then don’t worry because all bodily injuries are easily avoided by simply calling Bellhop, an experienced mover for professional assistance. Here is some additional information that provides insights on comparing moving companies.

Need help with moving your fridge? Bellhop moves in the following cities:

Other Long-Distance Moving Guides

Long-distance moves are undeniably tricky. We’ve put together a few guides to help you manage some of the thornier points of a long-distance move. And of course, if you need help with your long-distance move, just give us a call. 

Harrison Stevens