Can You Lay a Fridge Down to Transport It? Yes! We’ll Show You How.

Moving a Fridge Lying It on Its Side
Author <span style="color:#172937;">| </span>Joaquin Trapero

Author | Joaquin Trapero

Joaquin Trapero, with two decades of expertise in the removal industry, is the owner of North Removals, bringing unparalleled knowledge and proficiency to every relocation.

Here at North Removals, we know that moving a fridge lying it on its side can be difficult. While it can be done, there are important steps to take to prevent damaging your appliance. Here’s a fast and thorough guide to 10 do’s and don’ts for safely transporting a refrigerator on its side.

Related article: How to move a fridge upstairs

30 Second Video About How To Transport a Fridge Lying Down

Video Explanation Step By Step:

Prepare the Materials:
Before you begin moving the fridge, gather all necessary materials. You’ll need padded blankets to protect the fridge’s surface from dents and scratches, adjustable straps to secure it during transport, strong tape for securing doors and cables, and gloves to improve your grip and protect your hands. Having these items ready will ensure a smoother and safer moving process.

Empty the Fridge:
Remove all food, drinks, and removable shelves or drawers from the fridge. This not only makes the appliance lighter and easier to handle but also prevents items from shifting inside and causing damage. Fragile shelves, like glass, should be wrapped separately to avoid breaking during the move.

Unplug and Defrost:
Unplug the fridge at least 24 hours before moving to allow it to defrost completely. This prevents water from leaking out during transport, which could cause slips or damage to other items. Wipe down any remaining moisture inside to keep mold and odors from developing.

Secure Doors and Cables:
Use strong tape or bungee cords to keep the fridge doors tightly closed during the move. Secure the power cord and any loose cables by taping them to the back of the fridge. This prevents tripping hazards and protects the cords from getting damaged.

Protect the Fridge:
Lay padded blankets or moving mats on the floor where the fridge will rest during transport. This protects both the fridge and the floors from scratches or dents. Wrapping the entire fridge with blankets also prevents scratches, especially if you’re moving through tight doorways or hallways.

Position the Fridge Correctly:
When laying the fridge down, always place it on its side, not on the front or back. Laying it on the back can damage the compressor and other mechanical parts, while laying it on the front may bend the doors or handles. Check the manufacturer’s manual if unsure, as some fridges have specific sides they should be laid on.

Move the Fridge Safely:
Moving a fridge requires teamwork. Tilt the fridge slightly to slide it onto a dolly or to rest it against the edge of the van. One person should push from the bottom while the other guides and stabilizes from the top. Move slowly and carefully, especially when navigating stairs or tight corners, to avoid tipping or dropping the appliance.

Let It Settle Before Plugging In:
After moving the fridge to its new location, let it stand upright for at least 4 to 6 hours (or up to 24 hours if it was on its side for a long time). This allows the refrigerant fluids inside the compressor to settle properly, preventing potential damage when you turn it back on.

Final Tip – Call the Professionals:
If moving a fridge feels overwhelming, or if you have a particularly large or heavy model, don’t hesitate to call the experts at North Removals. Professional movers have the right tools and experience to ensure your appliance is moved safely and efficiently without risking damage to your fridge or your home.

Don’ts: What to Avoid When Moving a Fridge Lying Down

  1. Never Lay It on the Front or Back: Putting the fridge on its front or back may force the refrigerant to flow into the compressor resulting in expensive damage.
  2. Don’t Forget the Blankets: Not skipping the padding can cause dents, scratches and damage to your floors or vehicle.
  3. Avoid Rushing: Moving a fridge requires patience because of its bulk weight. Rushing your movement of the fridge might result in loss of control injuries or damage to the appliance.
  4. Don’t Skip Emptying the Fridge: The process of fridge moving requires complete food removal from inside the unit together with shelves and drawers before transportation starts.
  5. Don’t Move Alone: Moving heavy appliances such as refrigerators requires teamwork since going solo with this task is dangerous and results in potential harm.
  6. Avoid Improper Lifting: Don’t lift the fridge with your back alone, always bend your knees and use your legs.
  7. Don’t Block Ventilation Areas: If moving the fridge to its side, be sure not to block the vent to that area or the heat gets trapped and damages the machine components.
  8. Don’t Use Faulty Equipment: Check that your dolly, belts or ramps are up to scratch as faulty equipment can attract accidents.
  9. Don’t Ignore Weight Distribution: The heavier half of the fridge needs to go at the bottom during reloading tasks to achieve better weight distribution.
  10. Don’t Plug It In Immediately: After relocation avoid connecting electricity to the refrigerator right away. Allow the fluid to settle for minimum two hours before plugging in to avoid any damage to the cooling system.

The Potential Risks of Moving a Fridge on Its Side: What You Need to Know

The attempt to pass a fridge through a doorway by placing it on its side presents serious risks to the appliance. Despite following expert recommendations to minimize risks during fridge transport some damage may still appear. This piece will discuss safety risks accompanied by their manageable limits.

1.  Damage to the Compressor or Cooling System

Your fridge’s heart is your compressor, which circulates refrigerant and keeps things cool. When a fridge is laid on its side, the compressor can be damaged in the following ways:

  • Oil Leaks: If the compressor oil is pushed into the refrigerant lines, the system is disrupted and could ultimately fail mechanically.
  • Internal Shifting: The compressor is designed to operate with the internal components in an upright position. These parts may shift and reduce the efficiency, or even fail if laid on its side.

How to Mitigate the Risk

  • You should choose which side of the fridge to lay down based on which has the shortest amount of exposed compressor lines and connections.
  • A newly moved refrigerator requires at least 2-4 hours to rest upright before it should be plugged in so the compressor oil can settle properly.

2.  Oil or Refrigerant Shifting Within the Appliance

Refrigerators cooling system relies on a very fine balance of oil and refrigerant. When laid on its side, this balance can be disrupted, leading to:

  • Blocked Refrigerant Flow: The cooling process is inhibited because refrigerant and oil accumulate in improper locations within the system.
  • Overheating Components: When oil flows to wrong locations it causes overheating of system components thus reducing appliance longevity.

How to Mitigate the Risk:

  • Don’t let the fridge sit on its side for prolonged periods. Move it as fast as possible and put it back up right.
  • Be sure your fridge is laid on the side that the manufacturer suggests (again, refer to the manual or the label of your fridge but in most cases will be the side and never de back or front).

Even with all the precautions in the world, you can´t guarantee that the fridge will function as designed after being on its side. Components can be sensitive to changes or movements and o minor problems may not manifest immediately.

Want to Avoid These Issues Next Time When Moving a Fridge?

At North Removals we can proudly say that we are professional movers in handling safe and efficient delivery of household appliances such as large refrigerators. Modern equipment combined with expert techniques protect your appliance from harm which ensures it reaches your address in excellent condition.

Also remember that we offer Victoria regional and Interstate Melbourne to Sydney moves in case you have to move your fridge long distance! Ask for a free quote today!

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