Moving or buying new household appliances is always stressful, especially when it comes to a large unit. The question of how to bring a refrigerator into an apartment faces every owner who decides to update the kitchen equipment themselves. The dimensions of modern models often exceed standard doorways, and the weight of the device requires serious physical training or the help of loaders.
Errors at the delivery stage can lead to expensive repairs of the compressor or damage to the aesthetic casing. Incorrect tilt, hitting a door jamb, or abrupt installation at the site of use - these are typical scenarios that negate all the benefits of a new purchase. In this article, we will look at the technical nuances that will help you deliver the unit unharmed.
Modern refrigeration chambers equipped with a complex system of tubes and a sensitive motor, which are extremely susceptible to shaking. Before taking active action, you need to soberly assess your strength and the dimensions of the passages. If you are in doubt, it is better not to risk it and call professionals, but if the decision is made, follow our instructions.
Preliminary preparation and space measurements
The first step is always careful planning of the route. You need to arm yourself with a tape measure and measure not only the width of the doorways, but also the height of the ceilings in the corridor, as well as the width of the landings if there is no elevator. It often happens that the refrigerator fits through the door, but gets stuck at a turn in a narrow corridor.
Be sure to take the exact dimensions of the unit itself, including protruding handles, hinges and decorative elements. Some models Samsung or LG have a depth including a handle, which can be critical for narrow hallways. Compare the data obtained with the width of the narrowest point along the route.
⚠️ Attention: Do not forget to take into account the thickness of the packaging cardboard and polystyrene foam. Often it is the packaging that adds those very 2-3 centimeters that prevent equipment from being squeezed into the opening.
Clear the path of foreign objects. Carpets, shoes, bedside tables and mirrors must be removed or securely secured. This will not only secure your interior, but also give porters room to maneuver. If the apartment has slippery laminate or tiles, lay old towels or cardboard in the turning areas.
Dismantling of doors and removable elements
If measurements show that the refrigerator does not fit into the doorway when assembled, the only solution is to dismantle the doors of the unit itself. This is a standard procedure for most modern models, provided by manufacturers to facilitate transportation. However, the approach to disassembly must be careful.
First, empty the cameras from all shelves and drawers. It is better to remove the glass shelves separately and transport them in a passenger car on a soft backing so that they do not burst due to vibration. Plastic containers are also removed, as they can crack if the body is skewed.
- 🔧 To remove the doors, you will need a set of screwdrivers (usually Phillips and flat head) and a wrench.
- 📏 Write down or photograph the order of the washers and gaskets so that during assembly there are no problems with tightness.
- 🚪 The door must be held when unscrewing the hinges, as it is heavy and can fall, damaging the floor or legs.
After removing the doors, be sure to seal the ends of the body and the door leaves themselves with masking tape or a soft cloth. This will protect them from scratches when passing through tight spaces. Place hinges and small fasteners in a zip bag and stick it with tape to the top of the refrigerator so as not to lose it.
Transportation: elevator or stairs
The choice of lifting path depends on the dimensions of the load and the condition of the staircase. If there is a freight elevator, this is ideal, but its size is often limited. The standard depth of the elevator may not allow you to load the refrigerator while standing, even without doors. In such cases, you have to use a passenger elevator or carry a load up the stairs.
When climbing stairs, it is critical to maintain the angle of inclination. For compressor refrigerators, the tilt angle during transportation should not exceed 40 degrees. Exceeding this value may lead to oil leakage from the compressor into the cooling circuit, which will cause water hammer when first turned on.
| Lift type | Advantages | Risks | Required number of people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freight elevator | Safe, fast, no need to carry | May not fit in dimensions | 1-2 people |
| Passenger elevator | Available in any home | Crowded, risk of damaging the cabin | 2-3 people |
| Flight of stairs | Guaranteed passage (if not narrow) | High risk of injury, difficult | 2-4 people |
If you are carrying the refrigerator up the stairs, distribute the weight correctly. The stronger person should always be on top, since he accounts for up to 70% of the weight of the unit. They are intended only for moving on a flat surface and can come off under the weight of a full refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: Never lean on plastic handles when climbing stairs. They are designed to be moved on a level surface only and may come off under the weight of a full refrigerator.
Protection of the floor and doorways
The skidding process is often accompanied by accidental contact with walls and jambs. In order not to spoil the repairs in the entrance and apartment, use protective materials. Cardboard, bubble wrap, or old blankets should be on hand. The corners of door frames and wallpaper on ledges are especially vulnerable.
To move across the floor, use special furniture straps or a cart with rubberized wheels. If the refrigerator has to be dragged along the floor (which is extremely undesirable for the device itself), place thick cardboard or a rug under it. This will prevent scratches on the flooring and protect the legs of the refrigerator.
When passing through doors, one person should walk ahead and monitor the gap between the body and the jamb. It is better to remove the trim from the door if the gap is critically small, than to try to push the unit by force, we risk damaging thermal insulation layer the housing.
What to do if the refrigerator is stuck?
Do not pull or use excessive force. Check what exactly is in the way: the corner of the case, the handle or the bulge of the wall. Try changing the angle or removing the refrigerator door if this has not been done before. Sometimes lubrication of the jamb with a soap solution helps (only if the surface allows it).
Installation and alignment
After successfully overcoming all obstacles, the refrigerator is placed in its permanent place of residence. However, you cannot immediately plug it into the network. The unit needs time for the oil, which may have been displaced during transportation, to flow back into the compressor crankcase. This usually takes from 2 to 4 hours if transportation was carried out in a vertical position.
The next important stage is leveling. The legs of the refrigerator are equipped with adjusting screws. They must be unscrewed so that the housing is slightly raised above the floor level, and then secured with lock nuts. Correct installation ensures a tight fit of the doors and correct operation of the self-closing system.
Use a building level to check the levelness. A slight tilt back (about 2 degrees) is allowed so that the doors close on their own due to gravity. If the refrigerator stands crooked, the compressor will work with increased load, which will shorten its service life.
☑️ Final installation check
Typical errors and precautions
Many users underestimate the importance of proper operation in the first hours after delivery. The most common mistake is immediately plugging it into the outlet. As already mentioned, this can kill the compressor. They also often forget to remove the shipping tape or bolts that secure the compressor (found in some older or industrial models).
Another mistake is installing the refrigerator close to the wall or in a niche without gaps for ventilation. The condenser (grid on the back or sides) needs free air flow to dissipate heat. If you ignore this requirement, energy consumption will increase, and cooling efficiency will decrease.
- 🚫 Do not place the refrigerator next to a radiator or gas stove without a heat-insulating screen.
- 🚫 Do not use for cleaning external panels, abrasive products that can damage the antibacterial coating.
- 🚫 Do not load food into an empty refrigerator immediately at full capacity - let it reach idle temperature.
⚠️ Attention: If you transported the refrigerator lying down (which is not recommended), the settling time before turning it on should be at least 12-24 hours, regardless of the temperature outside.
Following these simple but important rules will allow you to avoid most of the problems associated with installing a refrigerator. Remember that high-quality preparation and care when moving preserve the manufacturer's warranty and ensure a long life for your household assistant.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to transport a refrigerator lying on its side?
It is strictly not recommended to transport modern refrigerators lying down. In this situation, oil from the compressor may flow into the cooling system, and the compressor itself may become detached from the springs. If there is no other way out, you need to lay it strictly on the side specified by the manufacturer (indicated on the packaging) and leave for at least 24 hours.
How long should the refrigerator stand before turning on?
If the refrigerator was transported in an upright position, 2-4 hours is enough. If the transportation technology was violated or the unit was lying, the settling time increases to 12-24 hours. In winter, the time increases if the equipment is frozen.
What to do if the refrigerator does not fit through the door even without doors?
In extreme cases, you can try removing the top cover of the refrigerator (if it is removable) or dismantling the door hinges completely, leaving only the panels. In very rare cases, temporary dismantling of the door frame in an apartment is required, but this requires restoration afterward.
Does it need to defrost the refrigerator before transportation?
Yes, definitely. The refrigerator must be completely defrosted, washed and dried. Remaining water may leak into the mechanisms or damage the packaging and floor during transportation. This will also prevent the formation of mold inside the chambers.