When moving houses, it is always tempting to put your refrigerator down for convenience. But is laying a refrigerator down good for the appliance? Let us discuss critical information about transporting a refrigerator.
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Will Laying a Refrigerator Down Damage It?
Laying a refrigerator down may not necessarily damage, but the chances are slim. When you put it down, the compressor oil begins to seep out and slowly flow into the cooling lines. The longer the refrigerator lays down, the more oil flows into the lines, damaging the refrigerator beyond repair.
Sometimes, you cannot avoid transporting a refrigerator without laying it down. In such a situation, you can minimize the amount of oil that leaks out of the compressor into the cooling system. Lay the refrigerator down on its side that has the compressor tubing facing up. So, lay the appliance on its right side if the compressor tube runs out of the left. That way, the oil flow is not fast and leakage is small.
However, some refrigerator manufacturers stress the fact that transporting their refrigerators laying down will damage them. A few insist that the design of the compressor brackets is such that they absorb compressor vibrations as long as the refrigerator is upright. Therefore, laying them down strains the brackets and is likely to damage them.
In other words, there are refrigerator models that you must never lay on their sides. You can verify this with the manufacturer so that you can safely transport the appliance. Moreover, transporting a refrigerator on its back is out of the question. The refrigerator’s weight can cause irreparable damages to the internal components, even when they are unexposed.
How Do You Fix a Refrigerator that Was Laying Down?
There is no way to fix a refrigerator that was laying if it stops working afterward. Ideally, you should not lay a refrigerator down during transportation, whether it is on its sides or back. For one, it may cause oil to flow into the cooling lines, and two, it may damage the refrigerator cabinet. You can do one of two things: replace the compressor or replace the refrigerator, whichever is more cost-effective.
But if you successfully transport a refrigerator from one location to another while it is laying down, leave it standing upright without plugging it for the same length of time it was laying down. Because of this, it is crucial to know how long it is laid down. So, if you had it laying down for about an hour, leave it unplugged for an hour after reaching your destination. And if for a full day, do not connect it to electric power until 24 hours expire.
Next Steps
When the waiting period expires, connect the refrigerator to electric power and allow it to run. Before doing that, determine whether or not the refrigerator requires cleaning; you may have skipped this step before moving the refrigerator. If it does, thoroughly clean it before connecting it to power.
Then, allow the unit to run until it is cool enough to preserve food. It may need to run for up to 24 hours before it colls completely. However, ensure you place all the shelves, bins, and racks in their proper positions and keep the doors closed as much as possible throughout this time.
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Refrigerator During a Power Outage [Detailed Survival Guide]
How to Move a Refrigerator in Different Situations [Detailed Guide]
Quick Recap
It is important to avoid laying a refrigerator down during transportation as much as possible. Refrigerators are designed to be vertical appliances, so laying them down for any reason may irreparably damage them. However, follow our guide if you absolutely have to lay yours down. Remember to allow it to stand for some time afterward so that the oil can settle back in its place.
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