A refrigerator is an indispensable thing in everyday life. When moving to a new place of residence, or buying a new household item, you should know the rules for its transportation. We must not forget that a refrigerator is a piece of equipment that requires careful handling during transportation. First, you should prepare the refrigerator for moving to a new place.
Preparation stage
A refrigerator is a bulky and difficult thing, so not every vehicle is suitable for transporting it. The most optimal and convenient option would be a cargo gazelle. Having decided on the transport, start preparing the equipment itself. If you are transporting a refrigerator that has already been used around the house, first of all empty it of stored food, disconnect it from the power supply and defrost it. Next, you should remove all shelves, drawers and food storage containers from the refrigerator. All components should be packaged separately so that they remain intact during transportation. The refrigerator doors must be secured in the closed position so that they do not open or fall off their hinges during transportation. If you still have the box from the refrigerator, you definitely need to pack it in it.
When purchasing a refrigerator in a store, you can leave all the components in place for transportation, since the new product is packaged by the manufacturer in a box. For greater safety, the product is protected by foam plastic on all sides.In addition, for the convenience of the buyer, many manufacturers indicate the correct method of transportation on the box. Try to find the given recommendations. Usually on the box in the form of pictures there is a way to correctly position the purchased product on its side or in a vertical position. Some manufacturers will void the warranty on a product that has not been shipped correctly. Check this information with the seller.
How to position it correctly in the car?
The refrigerator performs its main function thanks to the gas it contains - freon. It should be understood that the slightest damage to the refrigeration unit or a gas leak can lead to failure of the refrigerator, so the choice of the position of the item during transportation is very important. Whatever position the owner of the equipment chooses for transportation, he needs to try to protect the refrigerator from external damage: scratches, cracks or chips. An unpleasant fact will be not only the failure of the device, but also the loss of good appearance. To ensure the safety of the presentation, wrap the product in thick film or paper, if there is no original packaging.
An important point is loading the refrigerator into the car. When loading, the item should not be subjected to sharp shocks or shocks, since the refrigerator compressor is suspended on springs. The compressor is connected to fragile copper tubes that are easily damaged even by small impacts.
Standing.
This method is the safest. If possible, you need to fasten the refrigerator with belts or secure it with a rope to the walls of the car body.If the refrigerator is not secured, you should hold it with your hands while moving so that the equipment does not fall.
Inclined.
The second safest way is to transport the refrigerator at an angle. The refrigerator should be fixed in the same way as the first option. Teach that the angle of inclination should not be more than 40 degrees.
If possible, things should be supported to ensure sufficient stability. After successfully transporting the refrigerator in this way, it cannot be turned on immediately. You need to bring the item in, put the refrigerator in a vertical position and let it stand in the off state for at least 3 hours. Time must be maintained, since the freon and oil located in the refrigeration unit must take their place.
It is also important to check the position of the compressor as it may have moved during transport. You can check the position by connecting the refrigerator to the mains. If the equipment is louder and noisier than before, turn it off and invite a specialist to check its functionality.
On your side or in a prone position
There are situations when the refrigerator does not fit into the vehicle in which it was supposed to be transported. For transportation, some owners try to place the item on its side, back wall or on the doors. This method of transportation is the most dangerous, so it is not recommended to use it for the following reasons.
It is not recommended to place the refrigerator on the doors, due to the high probability of damage to the hinges and seals during transportation. After being transported in this position, the refrigerator may not close properly or become depressurized, resulting in its malfunction.
If there are no other options for transportation, it is better to place the refrigerator on its side. This situation is also not safe, but there is a greater chance of maintaining the serviceability of the item. Of course, transporting the refrigerator on its side is suitable for traveling a short distance. It is advisable to choose a non-winding road without potholes to avoid unnecessary shaking. Don't save money on fuel! If it is possible to drive along a longer route without bumps, choose this one. The speed of the vehicle when driving should not be high, this will protect the thing from unnecessary dangers. Avoid sudden braking and turning.
You should try to secure the refrigerator motor with belts or rope, since the most common breakdown during transportation is a change in its position. If you decide to transport the refrigerator on its side, know that under no circumstances should you place the item on its hinges. The floor of the vehicle body must be covered with cardboard or thick soft cloth to ensure safe transportation. Old blankets or other household items are ideal.
If you still decide to transport the refrigerator on its side, pay attention to its model and how old it was manufactured. Older refrigerators were made of durable iron or plastic, so they are less difficult to transport. With new models everything is much more complicated; they are fragile and more susceptible to deformation during transportation.
Whatever method of transportation is chosen by the owner, all recommendations must be followed. The refrigerator is a bulky and heavy household appliance, although it is very fragile during transportation.
If the owner is not confident in successfully transporting the refrigerator, it is better to entrust this process to professionals. It is better to order a service for the delivery of your refrigerator from special companies, since all responsibility for ensuring its safety and working condition rests with the company’s employees. Believe me, the services of a transport company will cost much less than repairing a household item after an unsuccessful transportation. We must not forget about the considerable weight of the refrigerator, which can even reach 100 kilograms. Take care not only of the condition of the refrigerator, but also of your health, since lifting such loads can negatively affect your well-being.
You need to remember a simple rule - the stingy pays twice. You should not save on transporting expensive items. Good luck with your move and happy shopping!
