Moving a heavy appliance such as a refrigerator can be taxing. Whether you are moving to a new house or you need to move your refrigerator to a different room in your current home, you must carefully plan for the process. An average refrigerator can weigh up to 250 pounds (113kgs). Moving it should not worry you much though. With the necessary requirements put in place, you should be able to move the refrigerator safely even without hiring residential moving companies. Here are a few things that you will need to consider.
1. Gather moving supplies
When you hire a professional mover or a moving company to move appliances for you, they will normally come with their moving supplies. Since you are doing this on your own, you will need to buy all the requirements yourself. That includes a rope to close the refrigerator doors, an all-purpose towel, and a moving blanket. Additionally, you’ll also need a tape measure to measure your doors and stairways and a moving strap. You may also require a cooler to keep the leftovers and other things that were in the refrigerator before the move. Also make sure to get the appropriate moving towel to avoid inconveniences. Most importantly, invest in purchasing or renting an appliance dolly to save your back.
2. Ask for help
As much as you would want to move your fridge solely on your own, that might not be possible. You need extra hands for the heavy lifting. Therefore, be sure to ask for help from friends or family members who are willing to lend a hand.
3. Hire a moving truck
If you are going to move the refrigerator outside your home, then you will definitely need a transport truck. A normal sized fridge will not fit in your car unless you drive a big truck. Therefore, depending on your budget, hire an appropriate moving truck. Alternatively, if you have a friend or family that owns a truck, you can request them to help you with the move.
4. Additional things you will need to do
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Use a tape measure
Measure the stairways and the doors in your house to make sure that the refrigerator will fit through them. It is important to know the sizes in relation to the refrigerator because you need to ascertain the angle at which you will use as you carry it through doors or down the stairs.
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Defrost first
You will need to unplug the refrigerator some hours before the move in order to defrost it. This makes sure that the fridge does not drip water as you move it around. After unplugging it for at least 24 hours, use the towel to wipe off the extra water to ensure that it is totally dry.
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Use ropes to tie the doors in place
Make sure that the doors are tightly closed so that they will not fly open as you carry the appliance around. Closing the doors also ensures your safety and eases movement.
5. Finally plug-in and use
Once you arrive at the destination, set the refrigerator appropriately and make sure to plug it to the source of power in order to cool it before returning the leftovers and other things that you had kept in the cooler.
It is not difficult to make a move. With the help of two or three people, you should be able to move heavy appliances such as refrigerators like professional long distance movers.
