To guarantee that this necessary appliance reaches your new house in optimal operating order, extra care must be taken. Thousands of families have benefited from Butler’s Removals & Storage’s safe refrigerator relocation services both locally and nationally. This is our in-depth guide to getting your refrigerator ready for the trip.
Start Early with a Proper Defrost
Preparation of your refrigerator should commence no less than 24 hours prior to relocation day. Disconnect from the power supply and extract all food items completely. For models featuring frost-free technology, allowing doors to remain ajar overnight typically suffices. Manual defrost units, however, may necessitate extended time and attention to avert water damage during transportation.
For refrigerators equipped with ice production capabilities, empty these compartments thoroughly and disconnect all water supply lines. Position absorbent towels around the base to capture any liquid released during the defrosting process. Be advised that hastening this procedure may result in water leakage during transit, potentially compromising both your refrigerator and surrounding possessions.
Thorough Cleaning Prevents Odours and Mold
Upon completion of defrosting, sanitise all surfaces, utilising a mild solution comprised of baking soda and water. Without using harsh chemical smells, this natural cleaning solution gets rid of food residue and neutralises offensive odours. Exercise particular diligence regarding door seals and recessed areas where food particles frequently accumulate.
Extract and independently clean all shelving and storage drawers, ensuring complete drying thereafter. Consider applying protective wrapping of bubble material or packing paper to glass components for enhanced protection during transit. This fundamental precaution prevents costly breakage and enables immediate utilisation of your refrigerator upon arrival at your destination.
Secure Moving Parts for Transportation
When you pack a fridge for moving, the proper securing of all detachable components proves essential for damage prevention. Removable storage drawers, shelving units, and compartments should be extracted and individually wrapped. A common error involves leaving these elements in place, frequently resulting in the discovery of breakage upon arrival.
Employ painter’s adhesive tape to maintain door closure throughout the relocation process, but ensure prompt removal upon arrival to prevent potential damage to sealing mechanisms. For refrigerators featuring external water dispensing systems, confirm complete emptying of the reservoir and thorough drying of the supply line to eliminate the risk of leakage or freezing during cold weather conditions.
Positioning Matters More Than You Think
Always endeavour to transport refrigeration units in their natural upright orientation whenever feasible. Though some moving professionals suggest brief periods in alternative positions may be acceptable, such practices risk damage to the compressor and cooling mechanisms. Should tilting become absolutely necessary, maintain maximum vertical orientation and never position the unit horizontally.
Allow your refrigerator to stand upright for a minimum of two to four hours after relocation, and then reconnect it to the power supply. In order to avoid any mechanical failure upon power restoration, this time frame enables cooling agents and lubricating oils to appropriately resettle inside the cooling system.
Protection from Exterior Damage
Envelop the entirety of the refrigerator with protective moving coverings to safeguard exterior finishes against scratches and structural impacts. Exercise particular caution regarding corners and handling mechanisms, as these areas demonstrate heightened vulnerability during transportation. Secure these protective materials with extensible wrapping film rather than adhesive tape, which may deposit residual sticky substances upon your appliance.
For premium quality or stainless steel refrigeration units, consider the supplementary application of cardboard corner protection devices in addition to fabric coverings. These economical protective elements deliver enhanced safeguarding for the most susceptible areas of your appliance and may prevent costly damage to expensive exterior treatments.
Special Considerations for Different Models
Side-by-side configuration refrigerators frequently incorporate water and ice dispensing systems requiring additional preparatory measures. Disconnect and drain these mechanisms completely, and consider consultation of your manufacturer’s documentation for instructions specific to your particular model.
French door refrigeration units typically feature multiple gasket seals requiring protection. Each access door should be individually secured utilising painter’s adhesive tape to prevent movement potentially damaging these crucial components.
Compact refrigeration units may appear less challenging to relocate, yet their reduced-size compressors often demonstrate increased susceptibility to transit damage. These appliances frequently benefit from extended post-relocation rest periods – no less than 24 hours before reconnection to the electrical supply.
Professional Help Makes a Difference
While numerous household possessions can be managed by determined, self-reliant individuals, refrigeration units present distinctive challenges. Expert moving professionals have the tools and know-how to carefully manoeuvre through doors, stairs, and tight areas without causing harm to the appliance or your home.
Using specially made dollies, fastening straps, and techniques that improve efficiency and safety all along the way, Butler’s Removals & Storage specialises in moving appliances. Our staff members receive extensive training that focuses on handling even the most expensive and delicate refrigeration equipment with extreme care and accuracy.
Reinstallation Tips for Your New Home
Upon arrival at your destination, position the refrigeration unit in its intended final location prior to removing protective coverings. Ensure proper levelling by adjusting the support feet as necessary – an improperly levelled appliance will operate with reduced efficiency and may develop sealing complications over extended periods.
Maintain adequate clearance surrounding the unit for proper ventilation, particularly at the posterior, where heat dissipation occurs. Following the recommended waiting interval, reestablish the power connection and any water supply lines, then observe for normal operational patterns before replenishing with food items.
Proper refrigerator preparation is still crucial for a smooth transfer, regardless of how far you are moving or how easily you can move across town. Get help with your upcoming move or more details about our all-inclusive moving services for local removals by getting in touch with the knowledgeable experts at Butler’s Removals & Storage right now.