Can I Roll a Refrigerator on Porcelain Tiles?

Porcelain and ceramic tile flooring is very popular because it is durable and relatively easy to maintain. Nonetheless, it is still possible to chip or crack the tile or damage the glaze. Moving heavy objects like refrigerators over the tile is one way to cause serious damage. Moving the fridge is necessary sometimes, so be sure to do it the right way and protect your tile.

Newly Installed Tile

Kitchen remodels are particularly difficult because kitchens are often the center of a home’s activities. When you’ve just installed your new porcelain tile floors, you might be anxious to get your kitchen back in order. However, patience is really important with newly installed tile. Before you start moving heavy appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators or ovens over the tile, you have to wait at least 24 hours for all of the grout to dry. After it has completely dried, you can safely start moving things back into your kitchen.

Preparing to Move Heavy Appliances

Before you move anything heavy across a porcelain tile floor, it’s important to clean the floor first. Dirt, dust and other debris can cause scratches if they’re rubbed over the tile. Fine scratches that you don’t notice right away will collect dirt and be hard to clean later on. Vacuum the floor well and wet-mop it or wipe it with a wet cloth before you start moving things around.

Refrigerators With Wheels

Some refrigerators come conveniently equipped with wheels. This is a nice feature because it makes moving the refrigerator considerably easier. It also decreases the risk of scratching the floor by dragging a heavy object across it. However, a refrigerator may still be heavy enough to crack a porcelain tile floor. To move a fridge a short distance, for example to do repairs or clean behind it, it’s best to distribute the weight by putting some plywood underneath it and moving it along the plywood.

Refrigerators Without Wheels

If your fridge doesn’t have wheels, it’s still possible to move it on the tile. One option is to use furniture skids. These are long, heavy-duty strips of plastic with thick felt on the bottom. Place the fridge on the skids and it will slide on the floor when you push it. If you’re using furniture skids, it’s especially important to clean the floor well ahead of time. The other option for a fridge without wheels is to use a dolly. A dolly is the safest way to move a fridge whether it has wheels or not, and it’s the easiest way to move a fridge over a long distance.