How to Move a Freezer
While freezers are among the lightest of all appliances to move, they are also one of the bulkiest. This becomes a major concern when you must move a freezer in or out of a basement or a room in your home. If you break down the task into several small steps, the move will not seem so overwhelming or stressful. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Freezer Heavy-duty handcart Duct tape Notepad Pencil Measuring tape Screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Unplug the empty freezer. Use duct tape to tape the electric cord and plug to the freezer so it will not catch on anything or trip anyone during the move.
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2
Use the measuring tape to measure the freezer. Note the height, length and width on a piece of paper. Measure all doorways and staircases through which the freezer must pass and note those measurements on the paper.
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3
Compare the measurements to see if the freezer will have room to pass through the doorways and staircases. If not, calculate how much larger the freezer is than the openings it must pass through.
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4
Remove doors from their hinges if they obstruct the opening. If the freezer will not fit through the doorways, remove the freezer door. On upright freezers, remove the two screws holding the top hinge to the freezer, then lift up on the door to remove it from its pivot post. On a chest freezer, you will have to remove the screws on both hinges holding the lid to the freezer chest.
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5
Figure out which is the narrowest side of the freezer and point that side away from the handcart. Tip the top of the freezer far enough to get the foot of the heavy-duty handcart under the bottom of the freezer. If the handcart has straps on it, tie them securely around the freezer. If the handcart does not have straps and you don't have any strong rope, you can use a length of duct tape around the freezer and handcart to prevent the freezer from coming off the cart.
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6
Tip the handcart back toward the "driver" of the cart and push it out through the doorway or up the stairs. A second person should assist in lifting (if you are moving the appliance upstairs) and in holding open the doors.
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Tips & Warnings
Empty and clean the freezer before moving it.
Upright freezers should not be left lying on their sides, because the oil will flow out of the compressor through the suction line and toward the evaporator coil. Therefore, if you must put the freezer on its side for a short time, allow it to stand upright for 24 hours before plugging it in, so the oil can return to the compressor.
