Warning: Don’t Tilt Your Refrigerator While Moving
When you’re busy making countless trips back and forth on the day of your move, you might overlook something as simple as keeping the refrigerator upright. Most people want to move in as little time possible, so they grab boxes, furniture and appliances without taking into consideration proper moving practices. While furniture and other items can typically be tilted in all directions without any ill effects, doing so with a refrigerator may cause permanent damage to the unit.
So, how can tilting damage a refrigerator? The problem stems from the CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) stored inside the unit. Normally, the CFC liquid remains inside a metal bottle where it helps to cool the unit when in use. If you happen to tilt the refrigerator, however, the liquid form of the CFC can travel up into the coils which are designed strictly for gas CFC. If the CFC liquid freezes inside the coils, it may cause them to crack; thus, causing serious damage to the unit.
Tilting a refrigerator may also cause the refrigerant to settle in one place. This isn’t a serious problem, but it can still reduce the unit’s cooling ability nonetheless.
If you must tilt your refrigerator during the move, let it stand upright before plugging it into the wall. A good rule of thumb is to let the refrigerator sit for the amount of time that it was tilted. For instance, if you spent 3 hours moving it – and it was tilted on its side – let it sit for 3 hours before turning it on. This allows the coolant, oil and other liquids to settle back into their original position.
Tips For Moving a Refrigerator:
- Remove all food, beverages and condiments from the refrigerator before attempting to move it.
- Turn the refrigerator off and let it sit for 2-3 hours (this will help it defrost).
- Remove any shelves, grilles, beverage trays, ice trays or other attachments from the refrigerator.
- Secure the power cord and water line by taping it to the top of your refrigerator.
- Wrap tape around the refrigerator and freezer doors to prevent them from opening during transit.
- If you intend to use a hand cart to move your refrigerator, always approach the unit from its side. Hitting the front or back of a refrigerator with a hand cart may cause damage.
- Get a second set of hands to help you move the unit up or down flights of stairs.
If you’re thinking about moving to Austin or you’re already one of the lucky ones who live here, we would love to help with your next move. Get your free online moving quote today!
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