True story: When I replaced my original fridge with a large, newer, lovely Norcold, I decided to store the old one in the basement. It was too large and heavy to just carry, so I worked it down the steps. At some point when I was almost at the bottom step, I must have severely pinched a line.
The ammonia smell was immediately overwhelming! I ran up the steps and went outside, closing the basement door behind me. Thank goodness no one else was home at the time.
BUT... I knew it couldn't be left like that either. Our basement was finished and that's where my wife and I had our bedroom and 2nd living room. So, I took a deep breath, held it and went back in. I could hardly see, it burned my eyes so badly! I found I could only handle about 15 to 20 seconds, at the most,before retreating outside as quickly as possible, taking several minutes to cough, gag, and recover from the tearing burning in my eyes, even though I only opened them for a second every few seconds to see where I was.
I took a piece of rope from the RV and tied a hood on each end. I went back in the basement and hooked one end to the leaking box of death and the other to a handrail support. Out I went again.
I went back in and moved the unit up, one step at a time, and secured it, then back outside for the recovery process.
There were 30 steps. A few times, I accidentally breathed in while making effort to lift the unit and nearly blacked out while scrambling to get back outside.
Finally, I got it out of the house.
I went in noticed that the spot where the ammonia had leaked was only about the size of my hand! It looked like something from an old sci-fi movie... almost a glowing green as if it were radiating an alien poison. I grabbed a rag, swiped up the offending little puddle and ran outside with it.
I took some baking soda and poured it on the remaining spot. Outside again.
Went in and opened the basement windows. Outside again.
Went in and turned two fans toward the windows. Out again and stayed there for about half an hour.
I went back in and it was at least beginning to get bearable to keep my eyes open, so I ventured a breath. I ran outside again, choking and coughing.
I stayed outside and cut the ammonia line on the refrigerator completely, allowing all of it to seep out and evaporate.
An hour later, I went in and it was safe enough to see and breathe. I cleaned up the remaining residue soaked up by the baking soda. Withing an hour, the smell was gone completely.
It wasn't long after that my wife and kids returned and asked how the refrigerator installation went. I replied, "Oh, just fine."
I can't believe how stupid I was to go back in there and do that but, I had no idea what else to do and I had to get that thing out before the family got home. At least, that's what I reasoned.
They could have come home, been forced out immediately by the smell, called 911, and the responders could have just as likely found my body at the bottom of the steps.
Moral of the story: Don't be me. Don't be stupid. You may not be as lucky.
