Have you ever wondered what happens to your refrigerator when you lay it on its side or back? Whether you’re moving to a new place, transporting a new fridge, or just rearranging your kitchen, you may have encountered this situation. But did you know that laying a fridge down can cause serious damage to its internal parts and affect its performance?
In this article, we will explain why laying a fridge down is not recommended, what problems it can cause, and how to restore a refrigerator after it’s been lying down. We will also provide some tips on how to move a fridge safely and avoid potential issues.
Why Laying a Fridge Down Is Not Recommended?
Refrigerators are designed to operate in an upright position. This is because they have a sealed refrigeration system that consists of a compressor, coils, refrigerant, and oil. The compressor is the heart of the system that pumps the refrigerant through the coils. The oil is the lubricant that keeps the compressor running smoothly and prevents overheating.
When a refrigerator is laid down, the oil can leak out of the compressor and flow into the coils. This can clog the coils and prevent the refrigerant from circulating properly. As a result, the fridge may not cool effectively or at all. Moreover, if the compressor runs without enough oil, it can overheat and burn out.
Another problem with laying a fridge down is that some of its internal parts may get dislodged or misaligned due to gravity and vibration. For example, the compressor is supported by brackets that hold it in an upright position. If laid on its side, the brackets may bend or break and cause the compressor to move or tilt. This can damage the compressor and create noise and vibration.
Some refrigerators have more sensitive parts than others, such as electronic controls, sensors, fans, water lines, ice makers, etc. These parts may also get damaged or malfunction if the fridge is laid down.
Therefore, laying a fridge down is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. And if you do have to lay it down, you need to follow some precautions and guidelines to minimize the risk of damage.
How to Move a Fridge Safely?
The best way to move a fridge is to keep it upright at all times. However, this may not be possible in some situations, such as when the fridge is too tall or wide to fit through a door or staircase. In that case, you may have to lay it down temporarily.
If you have to lay your fridge down, here are some tips to follow:
- Check the manufacturer’s manual or website for any specific instructions or warnings about moving your fridge. Some models may have special requirements or restrictions on how to transport them.
- Empty and clean your fridge before moving it. Remove all food items, shelves, drawers, bins, etc. This will make the fridge lighter and prevent spills and breakage.
- Secure the doors with tape or straps to prevent them from opening during transit.
- Wrap your fridge with blankets or padding to protect it from scratches and dents.
- Choose the best side to lay your fridge down. Ideally, you should lay it on the side where the compressor lines run out of the compressor. This will reduce the amount of oil that leaks into the coils. You can check the back of your fridge to see where the lines are located. If you can’t tell which side is better, lay it on its left side (as you face it from the front).
- Do not lay your fridge flat on its back or front. This can damage the internal parts and cause more oil leakage.
- Do not lay your fridge down for longer than necessary. As soon as you reach your destination, stand it upright again.
- Do not plug in your fridge right away after laying it down. You need to let it rest for some time to allow the oil to drain back into the compressor.
How to Restore a Refrigerator After It’s Been Lying Down?
After moving your fridge and standing it upright again, you need to follow some steps before plugging it in and using it normally. Here are some guidelines on how to restore a refrigerator after it’s been lying down:
- Let your fridge rest upright for at least 4 hours (24 hours at most) before plugging it in. This will give enough time for the oil to settle back into the compressor and prevent dry-pumping or clogging.
- Check for any signs of damage or leakage on your fridge. Look for dents, scratches, cracks, loose wires, etc. If you notice anything unusual, contact a professional technician for repair.
- Plug in your fridge and turn it on. Listen for any abnormal noises or vibrations from the compressor or other parts. If you hear anything suspicious, turn off your fridge and call a technician.
- Monitor your fridge’s temperature and performance for the next few days. Use a thermometer to check if your fridge is cooling properly and maintaining the desired temperature. If you notice any problems, such as insufficient cooling, frost buildup, water leakage, etc., contact a technician.
FAQ
Here are some common questions and answers about restoring a refrigerator after it’s been lying down that you may find helpful.
How do you fix a refrigerator that was lying down?
To fix a refrigerator that was lying down, you need to follow some steps before plugging it in and using it normally. Here are some guidelines on how to fix a refrigerator that was lying down:
- Let your refrigerator rest upright for at least 4 hours (24 hours at most) before plugging it in. This will give enough time for the oil to settle back into the compressor and prevent dry-pumping or clogging.
- Check for any signs of damage or leakage on your refrigerator. Look for dents, scratches, cracks, loose wires, etc. If you notice anything unusual, contact a professional technician for repair.
- Plug in your refrigerator and turn it on. Listen for any abnormal noises or vibrations from the compressor or other parts. If you hear anything suspicious, turn off your refrigerator and call a technician.
- Monitor your refrigerator’s temperature and performance for the next few days. Use a thermometer to check if your refrigerator is cooling properly and maintaining the desired temperature. If you notice any problems, such as insufficient cooling, frost buildup, water leakage, etc., contact a technician.
Why is laying a fridge down not recommended?
Laying a fridge down is not recommended because it can cause serious damage to its refrigeration system and internal parts. This is because when a refrigerator is laid down, the oil can leak out of the compressor and flow into the coils. This can clog the coils and prevent the refrigerant from circulating properly. As a result, the fridge may not cool effectively or at all. Moreover, if the compressor runs without enough oil, it can overheat and burn out.
Another problem with laying a fridge down is that some of its internal parts may get dislodged or misaligned due to gravity and vibration. For example, the compressor is supported by brackets that hold it in an upright position. If laid on its side, the brackets may bend or break and cause the compressor to move or tilt. This can damage the compressor and create noise and vibration.
Some refrigerators have more sensitive parts than others, such as electronic controls, sensors, fans, water lines, ice makers, etc. These parts may also get damaged or malfunction if the fridge is laid down.
How do you move a fridge safely?
The best way to move a fridge is to keep it upright at all times. However, this may not be possible in some situations, such as when the fridge is too tall or wide to fit through a door or staircase. In that case, you may have to lay it down temporarily.
If you have to lay your fridge down, here are some tips to follow:
- Check the manufacturer’s manual or website for any specific instructions or warnings about moving your fridge. Some models may have special requirements or restrictions on how to transport them.
- Empty and clean your fridge before moving it. Remove all food items, shelves, drawers, bins, etc. This will make the fridge lighter and prevent spills and breakage.
- Secure the doors with tape or straps to prevent them from opening during transit.
- Wrap your fridge with blankets or padding to protect it from scratches and dents.
- Choose the best side to lay your fridge down. Ideally, you should lay it on the side where the compressor lines run out of the compressor. This will reduce the amount of oil that leaks into the coils. You can check the back of your fridge to see where the lines are located. If you can’t tell which side is better, lay it on its left side (as you face it from the front).
- Do not lay your fridge flat on its back or front. This can damage the internal parts and cause more oil leakage.
- Do not lay your fridge down for longer than necessary. As soon as you reach your destination, stand it upright again.
- Do not plug in your fridge right away after laying it down. You need to let it rest for some time to allow the oil to drain back into the compressor.
What are some common problems caused by laying a fridge down?
Some of the common problems caused by laying a fridge down are:
- Insufficient cooling: The fridge may not cool properly or at all due to oil clogging the coils or refrigerant not circulating properly.
- Overheating: The compressor may overheat and burn out due to lack of oil or excessive friction.
- Noise and vibration: The compressor may make loud noises or vibrate due to misalignment or damage.
- Leakage: The fridge may leak water or oil due to broken seals or pipes.
- Malfunction: The fridge may malfunction due to damaged electronic controls, sensors, fans, water lines, ice makers, etc.
Laying a fridge down can cause serious damage to its refrigeration system and internal parts. Therefore, it is best to avoid doing so unless absolutely necessary. And if you do have to lay your fridge down, you need to follow some precautions and guidelines to minimize the risk of damage.
In this article, we explained why laying a fridge down is not recommended, what problems it can cause, and how to restore a refrigerator after it’s been lying down. We also provided some tips on how to move a fridge safely and avoid potential issues.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.
