Yes, you can lay your refrigerator down. But remember that this won’t protect the contents of your fridge from damage. It will only make your refrigerator less prone to breakage.
This is because when the refrigerator is lying down, its gravity pulls down the bottom part of the refrigerator, which makes it easier to topple over.
So if you do decide to lay your refrigerator down, make sure that it’s securely placed to avoid any accidental toppling.
Also, you will need to make sure that it is completely unloaded and that it does not have any items inside. If it is too heavy, it is best to ask for help from a professional.
Before you do anything, make sure you understand everything there is to know about laying down a refrigerator and dealing with the consequences.
Related: Refrigerator Brands to Avoid
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What Happens If You Lay a Refrigerator On Its Side?
A refrigerator that is laid on its side will cause a lot of damage to the compressor, as well as other components.
This will often require a complete appliance replacement and is one of the most common reasons for a home refrigerator failure.
Let’s take a look at what happens if you lay your fridge down on its side:
- The weight of the fridge will pull the top of the fridge downwards. This causes the shelves and everything on them to drop down and hit the floor with a thud. This can be very loud and extremely scary if you are not wearing ear protection. It can also result in serious injury or damage to your property.
- Once the top of the fridge is on the ground, all the weight of the fridge is now on top of whatever is under the fridge.
- If there’s anything flammable or else able to catch fire underneath your refrigerator, this could cause a serious fire.
- If there’s any water in the area underneath the refrigerator, laying the fridge down on its side will cause this water to drain out. This means if you have a sump pump or some other type of mechanical water removal system, you could experience a complete failure.
- Laying your fridge down on its side will cause the compressor to stop working. This could lead to food spoilage and an extremely uncomfortable situation for you and your family.
Can a Refrigerator be Transported on its Side?
Yes, a refrigerator can be transported on its side when it is:
- Empty and clean
- Not more than 2 inches taller than the height of the truck
- The refrigerator weighs less than 500 pounds.
Suppose the refrigerator is going to be transported for a long distance. In that case, you should transport it on its side to avoid leaks and water damage.
The doors should also not open while transporting the fridge.
And you should store a refrigerator in a container with a sealable lid, and it needs to have an airtight seal.
If there is no airtight seal, the freezer door must be propped open with foam blocks or other materials.
Also, it is important that the fridge doesn’t have any sharp edges or protruding parts that could puncture the container during transport.
Again, if you use any non-airtight container, you will need to ensure the fridge has all its doors closed and the top of the refrigerator is on the ground.
What to Do After You Lay a Refrigerator on its Side?
It is important that you don’t lay it on its right side because this will cause liquid from the freezer to leak onto the floor.
- The first thing you should do when laying a refrigerator on its side is to turn it off. You can then remove any food that might have spilled into the freezer when the appliance was upright.
- Next, you need to disconnect any water lines attached to the back of the fridge. Once everything is disconnected, you can start moving it out of your way so you have room to work in your kitchen.
- Then you need to lay it down by holding one side with both hands and flipping it over so it falls onto the floor in front of you.
- After that, make sure it’s stable by pushing firmly on all four corners before opening or closing anything inside or around it.
6 Tips For Moving a Fridge
Moving a fridge is not an easy task. However, it can be done with a few easy preparations and good tips. Check out the 7 tips to move a fridge with ease:
- Consider using a dolly or hand truck for easier transport.
- Cover the floor with thick blankets to keep it safe from scratches and damage.
- Put your items in backpacks and containers before you move them. This will make it easier for you to pack up what was in the refrigerator and save on time later on.
- Remove any food that has spoiled or is nearing its expiration date before you move the refrigerator. This will avoid any accidents that could happen while transporting your refrigerator to its new home, like spills or popsicles melting all over the place!
- Make sure all electrical cords are properly wrapped up and secured. When it comes to moving your refrigerator, you don’t want any of those unpleasant shocks. Turn off the circuit breakers in the wall and unplug any appliances.
- Make sure the room where you will put your refrigerator is free of obstructions. Suppose there are any obstacles in your path. In that case, you may have to remove them, or else you could seriously hurt yourself or damage your furniture or belongings.
Besides these helpful tips, the most important thing you can hire a professional mover to help you with this. They will know exactly what needs to be done to ensure your refrigerator arrives safely at its new home.
Final Thoughts:
Moving a refrigerator is an involved and complex task. By taking the time to prepare properly and hiring a professional mover, you can make the process easy and stress-free.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have all the information you need to know about how to lay a refrigerator down.
However, if you still have questions, feel free to ask me in the comment section.
Christopher Evans is a Mechanical Engineer and is a distinguished expert in tire and electronic appliance testing with over 15 years of experience. Holding certifications like Automotive Tire Service (TIA) and Certified Appliance Professional (CAP). He is also a member of the the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and has significantly contributed to safety standards and testing protocols in both industries. Evans is a respected speaker and award recipient.