How to change the seal on the refrigerator

A special place among the malfunctions of the refrigerator is given to the freezing of the "fur coat" inside it. One of the most common causes of ice formation is a leaking door seal. Moreover, old (Soviet) models and modern designs are equally not insured against this.

refrigerator in the kitchen — Any home appliances can fail, the refrigerator is no exception.

The sealing tape located around the perimeter of the door dries out and abrades over time. This is a common occurrence that occurs as a result of the long service life of household appliances.

refrigerator repair — The sealing rubber ensures a snug fit of the refrigerator door and a constant temperature inside.

Replacing the refrigerator seal is the only way to fix the problem. And for this it is not at all necessary to call specialists, but to do it yourself.

rubber band on the refrigerator door — The need to replace the tape on the refrigerator door may arise due to mechanical damage, careless use, or in old models.

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How to determine if there is a problem with the seal in the refrigerator
How to change the sealing gum on the refrigerator yourself
How often to change (tips for operating the refrigerator)
Replacing the seal in the refrigerator

How to determine if there is a problem with the seal in the refrigerator

The refrigerator is often switched on and off, condensation forms on the inner surfaces, snow build-up, food began to deteriorate faster - these are the first "bells" that it is time to sound the alarm. Initially, you need to inspect for the rubber gasket installed on the inside of the door.

the rubber band on the refrigerator door broke — Over time, the seal becomes less elastic and cracks.

Before thinking about how to change the gum on the refrigerator, you need to understand the true cause of the snow or ice build-up. For this, it is advisable to conduct a visual inspection of the equipment. It happens that the excessive ingress of warm air into the installation from the kitchen is associated with domestic factors:

Loose fasteners
Sagging of the door due to overloading of the shelves located on it
The machine is placed on an uneven surface, such as a long pile carpet
A foreign object prevents it from closing tightly: a handle from a saucepan or frying pan, a section for storing vegetables not fully retracted.

the refrigerator does not close tightly — The rubber band ensures that the refrigerator is sealed.

If after inspection it was not possible to identify a malfunction, it is required to test the door for tightness. According to the rules, when closing, it seems to stick to the body.

The function of the seal is that when the refrigerator door is closed it fits snugly against the body.

You can do this at home. You will need a thin piece of paper. It must be positioned between the unit and its door. The paper should not be easily pulled out by pulling on the edge, nor should it move up / down. The sheet moves freely, it's time to take up the tool and start repairing.

checking the gum of the refrigerator — In some cases, the malfunction can be recognized visually: you can see that the sealing gum is cracked, does not fit tightly to the door, it has defects.

Another effective method for finding a gap is to use a flashlight. If there is a gap (s), a gap will be visible between the seal and the body.

IMPORTANT! A loose refrigeration door can cause serious problems in the operation of equipment and even its breakdown.

How to change the sealing gum on the refrigerator yourself

How to change or restore the seal on the refrigerator yourself is a question that worries many owners. It turns out that it is quite possible to get by on your own. It is enough to have basic repair skills and have the necessary equipment.

replacing the gum in the refrigerator — You need to find out the brand of the refrigerator, this will help you choose the right part, and in its absence, an analogue.

To begin with, you can try to reanimate the gasket if the percentage of wear is not too high. Its degree can be judged by its appearance (the number of scuffs, cracks). To do this, you need to follow the following guidelines:

Remove the seal and soak it in a container of hot water. The high temperature will help restore its original shape.
If the deformation area is small, it is enough to warm up the desired area with a construction hairdryer.
Small cracks can be easily removed with silicone sealant
Cold-resistant Moment glue can easily cope with the fragments that have come off the case.

If it fails to repair, it is better to replace the damaged seal with a new one.

gum for refrigerator — Replacing the sealing rubber in the refrigerator will do nothing if the new material is unsuitable or of poor quality.

IMPORTANT! When choosing an elastic band, be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer. Various brands produce their own spare parts. If it is impossible to find the original, an analogue for the trademark is selected.

If you neglect the rule of choosing a sealing tape according to the name of the manufacturer of the equipment, it is useless to change it, because it is unlikely to fit. But the task is to put the necessary part instead of the unusable one, thereby eliminating the gaps between the door and the body.

refrigerator door seal — New rubber should not have any visible damage or non-uniformity.

Preparation of the necessary materials and tools

The first step is to turn off the power supply to household appliances and wait a while (about 20 minutes). For convenience, the door can be removed from its hinges and placed on the floor. But this is optional. Pre-free the space of the unit from food and kitchen utensils.

empty refrigerator — The refrigerator must be disconnected from the network and all food must be removed from it.

Next, you should prepare the tool: screwdrivers, a spatula, a screwdriver, glue, self-tapping screws, a container for water, a clean soft cloth, a solvent (soda, vinegar solution), soap, a hair dryer and, of course, the seal itself.

refrigerator seal — There should be no damage or cracks on the tape, the structure of the material should be even and smooth.

How to remove an elastic band from a refrigerator (including a Soviet one)

The next stage is dismantling. It can be produced in several ways, depending on the method of fastening the tape:

Unscrew the screws and remove the part
Pry gently at the edge with a non-sharp object such as a screwdriver. Deepen it inside the groove and, holding the tool along the perimeter, remove the rubber by pulling it up
Separate from the surface with a blunt trowel. This option is the most time consuming because it is very important not to damage the case at the same time and not to leave even the smallest part of the worn-out tape.

seal replacement — You need to remove the old rubber band carefully, without rushing, otherwise you can damage the elements of the refrigerator door.

IMPORTANT! You need to act extremely carefully, with the utmost care, without strong efforts, so as not to damage the surface of the refrigerator.

Next, disinfection is required. A soap or soda solution will perfectly cope with degreasing and cleaning the surface from dirt. For stubborn dirt, a thinner or a mixture of vinegar and water will help. After cleaning, the surface must be completely dry.

clean refrigerator door — You need to choose the mounting method that was used earlier.

How to put a sealing gum on the refrigerator

How to put the sealing gum on the refrigerator yourself may seem like a daunting task at first glance. In fact, everything is very simple. The main thing is to show patience and accuracy.

installation of the seal on the door — The main thing is to do the work carefully, to follow the order of the stages.

IMPORTANT! The installation of a new seal is carried out in the same way as for a damaged tape.

Replacing the rubber band on the refrigerator door (installation) consists of the following sequence of actions:

Method "In the groove". The tape fits snugly into the grooves. It is recommended to make additional fixing with screws or glue.
Method "On glue". It is assumed that the elastic is glued to the inside of the door. A prerequisite - it must be well pressed to the surface for better grip
Method "On self-tapping screws". It is necessary to install a new gasket on the base and screw it on with screws. If necessary, if the holes are loose, use larger diameter fasteners. This trick will help to ensure their better fit, and therefore the adhesion of the sealing tape. This applies, for the most part, to old (Soviet) models.

installing a seal on the refrigerator door — It is recommended to additionally fix the seal with glue or self-tapping screws.

For outdated samples, it can be difficult to find a suitable seal option. In this case, adjusting the tape to the desired parameters will help. The excess elements are cut off with a clerical knife, and the joints are glued together. This method is recommended to be used only in extreme cases, when it is not possible to select the desired type.

IMPORTANT! After the procedures for replacing the seal, be sure to check the tightness. To do this, you will need a paper sheet again. If the paper cannot be moved up and down or pulled out, then the replacement was correct.

How often to change (tips for operating the refrigerator)

The frequency of replacing the seal directly depends on the operation of the refrigerator. The more carefully you treat it, the less often you will have to change the elastic band.

In practice, most of the problems are associated not so much with the technical wear and tear of spare parts as with non-observance of the rules for the use of household appliances.

freezer door — In order for the tape to last as long as possible, and there was no need to make repairs and replacements, the refrigerator door must be opened by the handles and not touch the seal.

Do not slam the door strongly
Open it only by the handle, and do not pick up the rubber band with your fingers and pull it towards you
Regularly clean the seal and other surfaces from dirt and grease, carry out a visual inspection for damage. This is done about once a month.
Limit the access of warm air from the room to the inside. In other words, do not keep the door open for a long time.

Following these simple rules is the key to the durability and trouble-free operation of your refrigerator. If, nevertheless, any defect is noticed on the seal, you need to immediately diagnose and fix the problem. This will prevent future failure of more expensive parts of the unit.