How to Move a Refrigerator Without Destroying the Vinyl
- 1). Unplug the refrigerator from the wall socket. Turn the water supply valve off and disconnect the water line with an adjustable wrench if the unit has an icemaker.
- 2). Empty the refrigerator and slide all removal shelves and trays out of the unit. Remove all items from the top of the refrigerator.
- 3). Roll the refrigerator away from the wall carefully if the appliance is fitted with wheels. If not, tilt it back toward the wall just enough to slide the base of a hand truck underneath, then grip the top of the appliance and tilt it forward onto the hand truck before pulling it out from between the kitchen cabinets.
- 4). Secure the refrigerator door with a length of nylon rope. Drape moving blankets over the unit and tie them on with cord. Lift the refrigerator onto a moving dolly with the help of three sturdy assistants.
- 5). Tie the appliance to the upright arms of the hand truck if you are not using a moving dolly. This will prevent the refrigerator from sliding off the truck while negotiating stairs. Keep the unit as upright as possible while using a hand truck.
- 6). Lift the refrigerator onto the removal truck with the help of at least three sturdy assistants; keep the unit upright while doing so. Secure the refrigerator to the side of the truck with a ratcheted tie-down strap, but do not warp the refrigerator door or dent the sides by over-tightening the ratchet.
