Special offer

Spam prevention
Submit
Rainmaker
4,582,734
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It's more likely that you will find me laying on my side or on my back while I let the professional movers handle it.  

Apr 29, 2021 12:57 PM
Ambassador
3,349,554
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

It’s critical to never lay or carry your fridge on its back or side, since doing so can create an irreparable leak in the cooling system and prevent the appliance from doing its job once you plug it back in. It’s also unsanitary to move a refrigerator while it’s still cooling down and filled with condensation, creating a playground for mold and bacteria. So do your prep, take your time, and be sure to use a large enough dolly to get the job done safely. After following these easy steps for how to move a refrigerator, you’ll be chilling in your new kitchen in no time flat.

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-move-a-refrigerator/

Apr 29, 2021 02:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,400,882
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

My knowledge base on this subject is the same as Dario's. It is fine to lay it on it's side as long as you let it sit upright for several hours before turning it back on. Why lay it on it's side many have asked. If you just purchased the appliance and you are bringing it home on your own trailer it's a pretty scary thought to think about it toppling over as you make a turn in town.

Apr 29, 2021 02:00 PM
Rainmaker
292,009
Dario Ferreira
Attleboro, MA
Internet Marketing & SEO

You can lay it horizontally, BUT you have to leave it upright for several hours before plugging it in.

The oil and refrigerant have to flow back into the compressor before powering it up.

EDIT:

Good info from GE appliances website

Apr 29, 2021 01:15 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

Upright for me Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate 

 

Apr 29, 2021 02:35 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,587
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

Should be upright...A

Apr 29, 2021 12:59 PM
Ambassador
3,589,741
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Why lay it down?   I wouldn't.

Apr 29, 2021 12:30 PM
Rainmaker
1,847,061
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Mine have always stayed upright.

Apr 29, 2021 12:07 PM
Rainer
231,948
Eva B. Liland Century 21 Doug Anderson
Century 21 Doug Anderson - Lancaster, CA
Glad to be of Service 661-714-1643

To avoid damage, always keep it upright. If you had to, lay it on its side, being careful not to damage any coils or such. After raising up, it will take several hours before it will be back in shape.

Apr 29, 2021 04:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,506,163
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

On the side only temporarily, like in the picture shown, but it should be upright for a few hours before activation.  Never on the back (that's where the coils and such are).

Apr 29, 2021 03:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,201,807
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

During transport, I believe standing upright is best. Moving in and out of a structure, the side should be ok. Caveat...I am not a professional mover.,

Apr 30, 2021 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
808,379
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

Keep it upright and let it settle for I believe it is 4-6 hours before plugging it back in. Good luck with your move.

Apr 29, 2021 06:01 PM
Ambassador
3,139,070
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Always upright.

Apr 29, 2021 05:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,553,631
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I hire movers and keep it upright while I lay on my back on the recliner.

Apr 29, 2021 04:06 PM
Ambassador
4,719,216
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I would think that it should always remain upright, but truth be told I don't know the correct answer.

Apr 30, 2021 04:25 AM
Rainmaker
888,792
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

Good question!  My husband is adament about this... always keep the fridge  upright!!

Apr 30, 2021 01:31 AM
Rainmaker
809,829
Bob Force (REALTOR®)
Weichert Realtors - Aspen Hill - Mount Airy, MD
The FORCE in Maryland Real Estate

Well, the vote is in - Never on its back and let it sit upright for several hours before plugging it it back in.

Apr 29, 2021 10:19 PM
Ambassador
6,419,479
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

You can lay the down as long as you let the oil settle for 12 hours before turning them on at the new location.

Apr 29, 2021 09:13 PM
Ambassador
5,061,034
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

From what I knew before it should be upright.. Great information here for those not in the know. Now are movers aware?

Apr 29, 2021 09:02 PM
Ambassador
3,167,714
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

don't do it.  just don't do it.

Apr 29, 2021 06:50 PM
Rainmaker
5,113,551
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've always sold my homes with the fridges. But that being said I believe I heard at one point that you don't want to fully lay a fridge on its side.

Apr 29, 2021 02:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,240,975
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Always upright and preferably being handled by others.

Apr 30, 2021 04:35 AM
Rainmaker
906,347
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

I've never moved a refrigerator. I leave it up to the professionals. Common sense says keep it upright. 

Apr 30, 2021 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
7,864,482
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

From Puls...

When a refrigerator is horizontal, the oil from the compressor will start to move out and into the coolant lines, clogging them. If you absolutely cannot avoid moving a fridge lying down, then it’s possible to try and minimize oil leakage by placing the refrigerator on a side so that the compressor tube is facing upwards – in other words, if the compressor lines run out of its right side, lay the fridge on its left. 

Besides this, placing a refrigerator flat on its back is a major no-no: the weight of the fridge can damage its internal parts, even if they’re not exposed. 

Some manufacturers warn not to move any of their refrigerators, or certain models, on their side under any circumstances. Liebherr, for example, says that its compressor brackets are designed to absorb vibrations from the compressor when the fridge is running in an upright position – moving it sideways can put lateral strain on it that it’s not designed to absorb. 

The GE website lists which models are suited to be moved on their side if necessary and which models must never be placed horizontally. Models that must remain upright at all times include: all French door, bottom freezer, compact, and built-in refrigerators. If you’re unsure about your refrigerator, consult the manufacturer’s guide or website. 

Apr 29, 2021 04:35 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Most of these machines are fully enclosed meaning the cooling coils are not exposed to damage.
However those intereior glass shelves held in place by gravity will make this mistake obvious.

Apr 30, 2021 05:38 AM
Rainmaker
5,877,925
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I second Michael's comment -- not a mover, and would not know this.

Apr 30, 2021 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
2,784,746
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

What must be done...should and will be done. In my day, I have moved appliances and furniture upstairs, downstairs and through narrow openings doing what takes to remove or add accordingly

Apr 30, 2021 06:36 AM
Back to Top
Ask a Question

Our real estate Q&A site is a place where real estate professionals can ask their peers questions so we can all learn and grow as a community.

Members of our community can ask, answer, like, and subscribe to questions. Visitors to our site can read the questions and answers that were marked as “public” by the author.

Recent Questions
View All Questions arrow_forward