How To Prepare Your Refrigerator for a Move?
Professional moving companies like Hug Condon are familiar with the best practices for moving appliances like refrigerators and freezers to a new home. Refrigerators are often a substantial investment, especially ones with unique functions or made from expensive materials, so ensuring that they make it to their destination unharmed is paramount. The local moving professionals at Hug Condon have put together a list of simple steps to prepare a refrigerator for a move as well as some of the most frequently asked questions to help you get things moving!
10 Basic Steps for Preparing to Move a Refrigerator
- Empty the refrigerator of its contents.
- Disconnect the wiring and water lines.
- Defrost the fridge and freezer components.
- Remove any shelves and refrigerator doors as needed.
- Place protectors against your floors and walls before moving the fridge.
- Use a dolly and additional help to move a refrigerator safely.
- Secure your refrigerator in your moving vehicle, ideally in an upright position.
- Reassemble your refrigerator in its new location in a standing position without plugging it in yet.
- Wait 24 hours before plugging your refrigerator into an outlet.
- Plug your fridge in and wait to make sure it cools properly before filling it up with food and drink.
How Long Should a Refrigerator Be Turned Off Before Moving It?
You should turn off your fridge for at least 24 hours before moving it to a new location. This allows the refrigerator’s evaporator time to defrost and normalize temperatures with the surrounding environment. This will make sure that the chances of your refrigerator getting damaged during the move are minimized. This also gives you time to clean your refrigerator’s interior before it’s moved, meaning that it will smell fresh and new when you go to plug it back in for service.
How Long Should I Wait to Plug In My Refrigerator After Moving It?
In general, you will want to wait for about one day to play it safe to plug in your refrigerator after moving it. While there are some companies that suggest that you can plug your fridge back in right away after a move, this can put a lot of strain on the compressor from the fluids being shifted around inside of the mechanics. A rule of thumb for movers is that every hour your fridge is on its side, it needs at least an hour of time standing unplugged before being plugged back into an outlet. To make sure that your fridge doesn’t fail after taking the time to move it, waiting a full day while it’s standing upright will make sure that it won’t break down.
Make Sure Your Appliance Arrives Safely with Hug Condon!
If you want to make sure that your refrigerator is moved safely from point A to B without headache or backache, then enlist the help of the local moving professionals at Hug Condon. We’ll make the moving experience streamlined and hassle-free so that you can focus on what matters most: preparing to enjoy your new home! Call or email us today for a free consultation and to learn more about what makes us the best moving company around.