Replacing the rubber seal on the refrigerator

Many homeowners encounter problems with their refrigerator. In some cases, they are caused by wear and tear on the door gasket. It is important to change the damaged seal in time. Replacing will avoid more serious problems. Repairing household appliances can cost a pretty penny, when the cost of a seal is only 1,000 rubles.

Instructions for replacing the refrigerator seal

You can change the rubber band on your refrigerator at home.

The list of necessary tools and equipment depends on the method of attaching the old tape.

To replace you will need:

in the groove	on self-tapping screws	on glue
hair dryer screwdriver	screwdriver or screwdriver	putty knife solvent glue

Step 1. Removing the old seal

Turn off the refrigerator and defrost.
Remove the door and place it on the floor. It is inconvenient to install the part suspended, and it may not fit tightly.
Simply pry the rubber band inserted into the groove with a screwdriver and then carefully pull it out along the entire perimeter.
If the part is attached to self-tapping screws, you just need to unscrew them.
Removing the glued tape is more difficult. It needs to be torn off or cut off. Then clean with a spatula and treat with solvent. The surface must be smooth and clean.

Step 2. Selecting a new seal

When buying a seal, you need to consider:

refrigerator brand and model. Ideally, if there is a “native” part on sale. It will fit exactly in size;
size. You need to measure the length and width of the old part. If the parts for a specific model are not in the store, buy a universal one that fits in size. Take the old seal with you to compare the length, width, groove size, profile type;
quality of a new part. The elastic band may be damaged during transportation or storage. The part must not have creases, cracks, deformations, stains, or seals.

REFERENCE! For old small refrigerators “Yuryuzan”, “Mir”, “Polyus”, the required part will most likely not be found. As a last resort, if nothing suitable in size could be found, the dimensions are adjusted. The tape is cut and glued.

Online stores supply seals according to customer sizes. The application will need to indicate the exact dimensions, profile type and color. You can send a photo of a cross section of the tape.

ATTENTION! The purchased part must lie flat at room temperature for 24 hours to straighten out.

Step 3. Installation of the seal

It is advisable to use the same installation method as originally used.

In the groove To make the tape more elastic and easier to fit into the groove, the profile can be slightly heated with a hairdryer. Then insert the fastener into the slot along the entire perimeter and seal. This is done at the factory using special equipment. The same pressure cannot be created at home. For reliability, you can additionally use glue or self-tapping screws, screwing them in every 15 cm.
Self-tapping installation. Secure into existing holes with slightly larger self-tapping screws.
Gluing. Degrease the surfaces to be bonded with white spirit. Glue (“Moment”, “BF” or similar) is applied according to the instructions. The door is not installed until the glue has completely dried.

REFERENCE! The rules for replacing the seal on the freezer are the same, but you need to use frost-resistant glue.

Step 4. Checking the quality of work

Upon completion of the work, you need to carefully inspect the rubber band, make sure that it fits tightly to the door and does not allow air to pass through, and that the door itself is level. Return the door to its place and turn on the refrigerator.

The refrigerator should open with little effort. You can check the tightness with a piece of paper.

Video: Replacing the seal in the refrigerator with your own hands

Refrigerator repair - door seal replacement

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Video: How to change the seal on the refrigerator door

Video: How to change rubber on a refrigerator door?

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Choosing a new seal

Before purchasing, carefully check the new gasket for cracks and damage.

You need to approach the purchase of a new tape thoroughly.

Check the store for availability of gaskets for the desired brand of refrigerator. In addition to this, you should find out the serial code of the equipment. The factory tape is precisely calculated to fit the dimensions of the equipment.
Pre-measure the damaged gasket if a similar one is not available in the store. Any tape that fits in size will do.
Before purchasing, carefully check the new gasket for cracks and damage. Irregularities in the surface of the tape indicate its defectiveness.

If an old refrigerator is to be repaired, then there may be a lack of suitable tape. In this case, any gasket will do.

During installation, its size is adjusted to the desired size, cutting off excess material. This method is not the best solution. There is no guarantee that the refrigerator will operate normally.

Rules of care and use

In order for the seal to serve for a long time and not require repairs, you need to provide it with proper care.

Remove crumbs from the groove of the tape using an old toothbrush.
Treat the rubber band with silicone grease so that it does not lose softness and elasticity. Renew the lubricant after each wash. Do not lubricate with oil.
Open the refrigerator and freezer only by the handle, without prying the rubber band.
Replace weak rubber bands in a timely manner so as not to cause compressor breakdown.

Why won't the door close

The refrigerator door may not close due to various malfunctions. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to conduct an inspection and determine the specific cause.

Loosening and deformation of fastenings

If the fasteners are deformed from mechanical stress or become loose as a result of prolonged use, the door no longer fits tightly. If the fastenings become loose, adjustments can be made. To restore deformed elements, professional repair or replacement of parts is required.

Rotten, loose and cracked seal

Due to the detachment of the seal or a violation of the integrity and structure, it cannot fulfill its purpose and does not secure the door. A broken seal is easiest to replace with a new one, which will reduce labor and time costs.

How to choose a seal for a refrigerator

Modern sealing tapes are not rubber, but polymer, but they are still called “rubber bands.” Double-chamber tapes are most often used, but single-chamber tapes can also be found.

According to the mounting method, the easiest seal to install is with a groove. This tape can be easily removed to wash or replace.

The shape and structure of a part with a groove is indicated by its profile code. For example, if you need an oval edge of the tape, look for a spare part with profiles E1, E3, EA

For a tighter fit of the door, there is a magnetic insert in the seal. Tapes without a magnet have profile code C1 or C2. The common P1 and P2 profiles are with a magnet.

If the door does not have a groove, you will have to use screws or glue. They will ensure a strong connection, but should be used carefully. Self-tapping screws can damage the door, and the glued tape must be cut out the next time it is replaced.

Why won't the door of your home refrigerator close?

There are several explanations for this. A visual inspection of the door can determine the cause. Physical damage, deformation of the door (dents, distortions of metal, not fastenings), due to which the door does not close. This type of breakdown can only be repaired in a workshop or replaced with another one. Deformed metal, which is used for the external cladding of equipment, is very difficult to level at home. To do this, you need to completely disassemble the door as a part and go through it with a special power tool, and then put it back together. Doing this “on your knees” at home is not recommended.

Loose or deformed fasteners. If the door curtains show signs of damage or the bolts (sometimes rivets) do not hold tightly, this is a clear sign of the door being skewed. Its elimination is possible at home by one person.
Rotten, loose or cracked weatherstripping can also cause this problem. After inspecting the rubber gasket around the perimeter, you can find the problem area. If, after a little pressure or tugging on the rubber, the seal crumbles or begins to sag, it’s time to start replacing it.

Replacing the seal in the refrigerator door

How to determine if the refrigerator seal is damaged

The seal is needed to ensure that the refrigerator closes hermetically. If the rubber band bursts or crumbles in places, the door comes off and air enters the refrigerator from the room. The compressor runs continuously and ice forms on the rear wall.

Attention! Ice may also appear in high humidity conditions in the refrigerator.

A sheet of paper will help determine whether the seal is faulty. You need to close the door, holding the sheet. If it can be removed freely, the elastic band does not perform its function and needs to be replaced. Do this test several times, clamping the paper in different places.

If there is a gap between the door and the refrigerator compartment and the seal is not damaged, you need to adjust the door.

Process

Tools

For work we will need: 2 flat screwdrivers, a new rubber seal, a hair dryer to warm up the new rubber after replacement, a screwdriver, 16mm metal screws.

Removing the old seal

Before installing a new seal, you need to dismantle the old one.

If the seal is installed under the strip, i.e. glued between the outer metal door and the inner plastic, then dismantling is carried out with a screwdriver. We insert one screwdriver between the plastic casing and the body, thereby expanding the groove. We insert the second screwdriver next to it and, moving it along the entire length, peel off the seal. Thus, we peeled off the seal from the outer part of the case. Now we place the screwdriver behind the seal and repeat the same thing, peeling it off from the inside. Now he can get out of there without any difficulty.

When removing the seal, you need to make sure that it comes out completely, otherwise it will interfere with the installation of a new one. After this, it is necessary to clean the area where the new seal will be inserted from dirt.

Installation of a new rubber seal

Installation of a new rubber band begins from the corners. Using a screwdriver, expand the groove and place the seal in it. After the corners, we thread the rest of the elastic, also carefully inserting it into the groove with a screwdriver. The entire interior should be hidden under the skin. After this, close the door and check the tightness around the entire perimeter. To do this, take a sheet of paper, press it with the door, and if it comes out easily, then you need to adjust the seal in that place.

To ensure that the new rubber band of the Stinol refrigerator is correctly distributed in the groove, we warm it up briefly with a hairdryer. This is done with the door open.

Removing the rubber seal from the freezer door is done in the same way. But after installation, the new rubber band should be strengthened around the entire perimeter using self-tapping screws. This is done because the elastic fits well into the groove, but due to the temperature difference it has not yet expanded, which means it may not fit tightly and move. That's why we record it.

You can also attach it to the top door with self-tapping screws, but this is not necessary, it holds well anyway.

If the door sag, adjust its height.

The seal can be replaced partially or completely. It is better to replace the whole thing, because... Gaps may appear at the junction of the old and new rubber bands.

Approximate cost of seals

The price for this part depends on the brand of the refrigerator, originality and size:

A spare part for a Biryusa refrigerator measuring 110*53 with a P1 profile costs 400 rubles.
To repair Atlant, you will need 500 rubles.
A spare part for a “Nord” refrigerator of dimensions 55*93 with a P2 profile costs about 1,000 rubles.
Original parts for Stinol cost about 1,000 rubles.
A seal for Daewoo refrigerators can be found at a price of 1000 - 2000 rubles.

You can do minor repairs to household appliances yourself. The main thing is to choose the right spare part and act carefully.

Video: Replacing the refrigerator gasket

Video: replacing the rubber seal on a refrigerator with your own hands

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What is the danger of damage to the seal?

The part has a magnetic insert that allows you to close the door tightly. If the refrigerator seal comes off, cold air leaves the chamber and warm air enters. This leads to malfunctions of the unit.

The seal on the refrigerator must be airtight, otherwise it will lead to damage to the household appliance. With the constant flow of warm air into the chamber, condensation appears on its walls, which after a few minutes turns into frost. Ice appears, it gradually thickens, as a result the temperature sensor stops functioning, the compressor works more often, but less efficiently.

All this leads to excessive energy consumption and wear of parts. The user pays a lot of money for electricity and after a while replaces the damaged compressor. Specialists do not charge a large fee for installing rubber seals for refrigerator doors. It is important to identify the problem as early as possible, otherwise it will be necessary to constantly defrost it, but after a while you will still need to invite specialists.

Types of elastic band for refrigerator

Old units were at one time equipped with rubber seals. It will not be easy to find a similar tape, but replacing it with an analogue of suitable size will not be difficult.

Most of the refrigerator models on the market today are equipped with “rubber bands” made of polymers, which are so called by tradition.

The main difference between the compactor is the number of cylinders. The most common ones are those consisting of two cylinders.

Some seals have magnets that provide extra grip on the door.

Is it possible to restore an elastic band at home?

You can try to restore the deformed seal yourself. Modern inventive users have developed a whole collection of methods, among which the most common is the option of hanging the door. Technically this is feasible, but there is no guarantee of complete success.

In addition, when rehanging the door, you need to think about whether opening the door in the other direction will cause inconvenience. After all, a refrigerator is a fairly large unit. A place is carved out for it, taking into account every centimeter. Perhaps, when re-hanging the door, you will have to do a total rearrangement of the kitchen modules. Is it worth it?

Changing the rubber band of the refrigerator

But if cracks appear on the elastic, it breaks or even begins to rot, then throw it away without even thinking. In this method we will figure out how to change the rubber band in the refrigerator yourself.

The first thing you should pay attention to is the brand of the refrigerator and its manufacturer. After all, each company makes its own individual fastening and each of them has a different elastic band that is attached differently

The rubber band can be glued along the contour of the door and secured with screws and can be inserted into a special groove. In such cases, you can change it yourself.

You just need to remove the old one and attach the new one - using the same method that it was fixed before. But you need to be extremely careful so as not to spoil or deform the new rubber band.

There is an option for the rubber band to be glued into the refrigerator door. In this case, you can’t handle it purely on your own, you should contact the service.

Tips and tricks

If the damage is minor, the seal can be repaired. Places of slight deformation are blown with a hair dryer or for drying hair (the hottest mode), change the shape of the elastic with your fingers and firmly press the door, fix it in this position for 10–15 minutes. Another option for restoring the seal is to remove it and immerse it in hot water, leave it for 15 minutes, when the part takes the desired shape it can be put back. Places where the tape has moved slightly away from the door can simply be glued, and small cracks can be sealed with sealant.

On a note!

If the tape is damaged only on the outside, it can be removed, turned over and reattached. Such a replacement of rubber on a refrigerator cannot be carried out if it was glued.

In order for the seal to last as long as possible, the door must be opened only by the handles or special recesses, without touching the rubber bands. When washing the refrigerator, all grooves in the tape should be cleaned with a toothbrush and soda paste. After replacing and drying the rubber, it must be treated with silicone grease; oils cannot be used, they make the material inelastic.

It is permissible to attach the new type of seals with double-sided tape (on the latest models of refrigerators), but no one can say exactly how long the part will last. Experts do not recommend using polyurethane foam to glue the part. For any mounting method, the tape must not be stretched. You need to measure the elastic from the upper corners (length and width).

Installation of sealing tape is not a complex type of repair, but requires attention and accuracy. You need to choose the right part, carefully remove the remains of the old gum and prepare the surface before work. By following our advice, you can change or repair the rubber seal in the refrigerator yourself, without using the services of service centers; the procedure will not take much time.

Replacing the factory

To replace the factory rubber seal, you must follow the step-by-step instructions.

How to remove

To remove the seal, you will need to unscrew the fastening elements of the door and place it on a horizontal surface. Then the damaged seal is carefully torn off. You can pry one of the edges of the elastic with a sharp object and pull on the seal so that it begins to peel off.

Removing remaining glue

You can remove the remnants of the adhesive solution on which the seal was held using acetone. Apply the product to pieces of dried glue, wait 5-10 minutes, then treat with a spatula. The final cleaning is carried out with an alcohol solvent intended for acrylic paints.