Repairing the Gasket on a Refrigerator

The gasket of your refrigerator should be repaired immediately if damaged. Damaged gaskets will reduce the fridge’s ability to maintain a constant temperature. It can also increase your electricity bill because the refrigerator is forced to work overtime to keep items cold. It can also cause frost in the freezing section, reducing airflow. A gasket that is damaged should usually be replaced with a fresh one. It is possible to repair minor damages. Continue reading to find out if you need to replace or fix the gasket on your refrigerator.

Testing a Door Gasket

One simple test can determine how damaged the seal is. Close the fridge on a piece of paper. Pulling on the paper when the fridge door is shut should cause resistance. This is the best test.

Pressing down on the fridge door while pulling out the newspaper will provide the most accurate results. Repeat the test to check all the seals. If you can easily remove the paper from the seal, the gasket will most likely need replacement.

Apply a lubricant

Adjust the door gasket with petroleum jelly or silicone grease if necessary. Pour some silicone oil or petroleum jelly onto a cotton swab and push it in the groove beneath the loose Rubber. This should help you move the Rubber back to its original position and seal leaks.

How to Clean the Door Gasket

Cleaning a door gasket can fix it. Grease, mold, or grime on the door’s gasket can make it so the seal does not stick. The door gasket can be cleaned with warm water and detergent. Remove the gasket and wash it in a bucket with soapy water (see instructions below). After thoroughly drying the gasket, apply a thin silicone grease coating on the side connected to the refrigerator. The silicone grease improves its effectiveness and prevents future cracks. Reattach the seal after using the silicone grease.

Repairing with Waxed Paper

You can repair a tear on the gasket of your refrigerator with waxed paper and silicone sealant. Remove all grease, grime, and mold from the seal. Apply a thin layer of silicone sealant over the damaged area to patch up the Rubber. Cover the silicone carefully with a waxed paper strip. Be sure to overlap the seal section at both ends. The waxed papers should be used as a barrier to the magnetic part. Add another strip of waxed paper to the seal’s other side. This will keep the sealant in position. Trim the edges to allow the paper to be folded into the shape of the original seal.

Close the refrigerator door carefully after the sealant is positioned, and the paper is positioned. The paper should be trapped between the sealant and the refrigerator. Allow the sealant at least eight hours to set.

Replace Door Gasket

Replacing a door gasket can be a simple process. The first step is to buy a replacement door gasket. The new gasket must fit your refrigerator. It is, therefore, important that you match it with the existing gasket. After receiving the new gasket for your refrigerator, you should unpack it at least 24 hours before installation. The gasket is folded in some packaging, making it difficult to install. The door gasket can be restored to its correct shape by unfolding and laying it out overnight. Equipment needed: Blow-dryer, silicone grease or petroleum jelly, Phillips screwdriver.

Remove the old gasket

The gasket type on your fridge will determine the best way to remove it. In most cases, you can pull the old gasket off. The screws around the inner and outer panels on the doors will need to be loosened if the seals are fitted there. Once the old seal has been loosened, pull it out.

Installing the New Gasket

Three joint door gaskets are available, each requiring a slightly different installation. You can secure the gasket to the fridge door by pressing the gasket into the groove with your fingers. Use your fingers to push the gasket firmly into the groove and secure it to the refrigerator door. Some gaskets require screws to be removed or loosened. To help you position the gasket between the outer and the inner door panels, loosen the screws around the liner. Installing the new gasket is as simple as cleaning and drying the area where it will be installed. Use a low-heat blow dryer to remove the kinks or folds from the gasket. Heat will make fitting the seal to the refrigerator door easier. You can prepare the seal for installation by soaking it in hot water in a sink or tub. Apply a thin film of silicone grease on the side of the seal that adheres to the fridge. Install the new gasket starting at the upper left corner and working your way to the upper right corner. Finish by attaching the lower half of the gasket. To remove kinks, use a low-heat blow dryer. Check that the seal is evenly distributed around the door. Check each section of the seal to see if the seal has been attached correctly. You can apply low heat with a blow-dryer and smooth the sections out using your fingers if you discover any problems. The magnetic strip will pull the sections that don’t fit correctly over time. This process may take several days to complete.