Refrigerators come with gaskets that run around on all sides of the door, producing an airtight seal whenever the doorway gets shut. A proper refrigerator gasket can help keep the appliance working smoothly by keeping the frigid air within the refrigeration unit from leaking.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that a seeping refrigerator gasket is going to overload a refrigerator which may lead to other problems, including expensive maintenance or, worse, replacements.
In addition, a faulty refrigerator door gasket consumes more energy than it normally should, resulting in higher electricity expenses. It is best to get a new gasket on your refrigerator door gasket as soon as possible if you notice that you have a damaged gasket.
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In this blog post, we here at DaDongNY will review everything about refrigerator door gaskets. We will also provide you with five simple steps to replace your refrigerator’s gasket to keep your equipment running smoothly and save you money on maintenance services.
Common Causes Of A Defective Refrigerator Gasket
If you’re not sure whether your refrigerator door gasket is defective, there’s a simple way to find out:
- Simply slip a single dollar bill or a small piece of paper into the gap between the gasket and the door of your refrigerator;
- Close the refrigerator;
- And swipe the money or piece of paper that you placed.
If you experience any kind of tension or friction while swiping, this suggests that your gasket is in excellent shape. If the money or paper immediately draws out, you are dealing with a broken refrigerator door gasket that has to be replaced. That being said, listed below are some of the most common root causes of a damaged refrigerator gasket:
- Unprecedented mold growth;
- Wear and tear throughout the years;
- And forceful handling towards the refrigerator door.
The Effects Of A Damaged Refrigerator Door Gasket
Refrigerator door gaskets are among the most affordable components, yet they are the most essential aspect of your refrigerator’s cooling system.
Motors in refrigerators may be subjected to an excessive load if a refrigerator door gasket has been broken. Furthermore, it will also increase the energy consumption of your refrigerator and reduce cooling as it will begin to cool the kitchen rather than what’s inside the appliance.
Here is an in-depth breakdown of the harm a refrigerator gasket can cause to your equipment:
- Air Leakage
The gaskets on refrigerators hold the cold air inside the refrigerator and let the hot air escape outdoors. When the gaskets break down, the equipment will be unable to maintain the same temperature throughout the day.
As a result of this:
- Cold air could seep through the refrigerator and moisten the surrounding area;
- Increases the compressor‘s operating time and consumes more energy;
- And cause frost to form in the freezer compartment.
- Frozen Coils
The coil could freeze if there is not enough airflow. Moreover, because there is no airflow across the coils, moisture cannot evaporate, creating ice accumulation from the coils.
The evaporator fan could become seriously affected because of insufficient air movement, which will clog the grills and vents and make the filter dirty. To prevent serious refrigerator damage, you must immediately fix the evaporator fan and gasket.
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- Motor Damage
A high-grade refrigerator usually has two motors: the condenser fan and the evaporator fan. These refrigerator motors are under extra load and run more frequently because of damaged gaskets. And tensile stress could also harm the motors.
Badly damaged gaskets can cause the refrigerator’s start relay to malfunction. This can prevent the capacitor, rather than the compressor, from adequately cooling the refrigerator inside.
- Faulty Compressor
Although a unit’s compressor or capacitor may operate, it cannot keep the appropriate temperature constant if the refrigerator door gasket is faulty.
Related Article: Six Easy Steps on How to Reset Your Refrigerator Compressor
- Coolant Leaking
A damaged or dried-out gasket could enable coolant substances to escape from the refrigerator.
Replacing A Refrigerator Door Gasket: A Step-By-Step Guide
Your refrigerator contains a thermoplastic rubber gasket on each door to keep the heat and cold inside. This gasket leaks when it becomes brittle with age. Do these quick tests if your refrigerator is operating excessively than it should be and you suspect cold air leaking.
First, check the gasket on the refrigerator door. If there’s any dampness or mold that is dark around it, the moisture around the refrigerator is likely caused by leaking cold air. We hate to break it to you, but you should invest in a new gasket that won’t cost you between $20 to $80.
With the help of the included instruction manual, you can find the refrigerator brand, model, and other specific information you will need. If you don’t have one, check for the manufacturer’s identification plate located within the corner of your refrigerator door or inside the equipment.
Then, search for your neighborhood business offline, online, or—even better—in the supplier service centers for your door gasket. You can also check your manufacturer’s website to see whether a source for parts is available there.
And after doing so, you ought to be able to move on to replace the refrigerator door gasket.
Changing A Refrigerator Door Gasket
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Hex nut driver
- Petroleum jelly
- Baby powder
- Bucket of warm water
- Submerge The New Refrigerator Door Gasket In Water
Place the newly bought refrigerator door gasket in a bucket full of warm water as you remove the old one from your refrigerator. The hot water temperature will make it considerably simpler to traverse the new gasket through the doors.
- Remove The Previous Refrigerator Door Gasket
There’s a metal retainer connected directly across the outer walls of the refrigerator door that holds the gaskets in place. Lift the inside edge of the old refrigerator door gasket to remove the screws that keep the gasket towards the retainer.
Then, take hold of the gasket’s inside flange and pull it back in order to remove the old refrigerator door gasket. Using a hex head nut driver, loosen but do not remove the retainer screws across the perimeter of the refrigerator door.
- Replace The Refrigerator Door Gasket
Work on the gasket lip underneath the metal retainer around the door’s perimeter, starting with one of the top corners, to attach the new refrigerator door gasket. The gasket can only be installed in one direction. With the hex nut driver, twist but do not entirely fasten the refrigerator door gasket retainer screws. Shut the door and observe it to determine whether it has distorted as a result of the replacement.
If necessary, straighten it by grabbing both the top and bottom. After pushing and pulling the door, close it and check the placement of the gasket. Repeat as needed before you fully tighten the retainer screws.
- Check For Fitting
Close the door and investigate for any deformation that transpired during the installation process. Try to sort it if necessary by pulling the top and bottom simultaneously and repeat this procedure as many times as needed to guarantee proper gasket placement. Lastly, finish clamping the securing screws once the gasket is properly aligned.
- Help Your Refrigerator Door Gasket To Mold Properly
It may take some time for your new refrigerator door gasket to take its shape, removing any existing gap. If your new refrigerator door gasket is still loose and deformed, use a blow dryer to apply heat to accelerate installation.
You could also apply a thin petroleum jelly coating toward the gasket’s hinge. As the door closes, the gasket folding will likely be less likely. After a clean install, the new refrigerator door gasket could become stuck within the interior of the door. If that happens, dab the gasket with baby powder to stop it from sticking.
Keeping Your Refrigerator Door Gaskets In Great Shape
If you don’t want to replace your worn-out refrigerator door gasket now and then, which causes your appliance to overload and increases your energy consumption, and is therefore costly, try the following ways of keeping your refrigerator door gasket in place:
- Maintain Your Fridge’s Condition
The best way to maintain your refrigerator door gaskets in excellent condition is to ensure nothing is stuck around them. Food may soak through the seals surrounding the door on occasion.
As the door is opened and closed, the sticky residues drag on the gaskets, straining them and finally wearing the door down.
So, if you see anything sticking on the gaskets of your refrigerator, wash it with ordinary soap and water solution. Less damage can be caused if these messes are tidied up instantly.
- Use Petroleum Jelly
The rubber gaskets of your refrigerator dry out like wood. As your fridge gasket dries up, it shrinks and hardens, prohibiting the door from entirely closing. To protect your refrigerator door seal from wearing off, use petroleum jelly. Put a small coating of petroleum jelly on the gasket seal’s surface. The petroleum jelly will improve the seal of your refrigerator.
- Examine The Seal
Place the door shut with a paper towel and try to pull it out to test whether your refrigerator gaskets stay in place. If the paper readily slips out, the gasket is not firmly fitted, and hot air passes through the refrigerator. Try reheating the gasket with a blow dryer and gently pushing it back into shape to reconstruct it.
- Keep Your Refrigerator Mold-Free
Lastly, keep them clean and mold-free. There are several solutions available for mold removal. Although bleach is a strong mold-killing weapon, it has the potential to wear down and break the refrigerator door gasket. If you’re going to use bleach, mix it with equal parts of water and use protective gear. A much less extreme approach is using undiluted hydrogen peroxide. You can also use a mix of water and baking soda solution as a cleaning agent.
Here’s a step-by-step instruction for cleaning mold off your refrigerator door gaskets:
- Using soap and water solution, remove any remaining mold residue
- To get into small spaces, use a toothbrush or a cotton swab
- Let a cleaning agent soak for a few minutes
Know When to Replace a Fridge Door Seal
If you notice moisture on the surfaces of your refrigerator, such as the ceiling or walls, warm air is likely entering your equipment due to a faulty gasket. Similarly, if your refrigerator isn’t maintaining a consistent temperature despite being turned on overnight, the problem might be an issue with the door gasket.
If your refrigerator displays any of the above manifestations, you should undergo a brief evaluation of the refrigerator door gasket to guarantee that it actually needs replacement.
Immediately inspect the seal for obvious cracks or splits, along with the areas where the gasket starts to come loose and not sticking towards the refrigerator door.
Furthermore, the refrigerator door gasket might fail to seal entirely if any crumbs, grime, or other food debris are present. If you suspect that it’s the source of the problem, wash the gasket off with hot water to determine whether the issue improves before deciding on replacing it.
Expected Lifespan Of A Refrigerator Door Gasket
Refrigerator door gaskets are among a refrigerator’s most important yet often overlooked components. The refrigerator owner only examines the state of the gasket once it’s too late. But little did everyone know, it requires regular maintenance.
Refrigerator gaskets must be replaced once every twelve months, according to True Refrigeration. Furthermore, the said component must be kept in good working order for obvious reasons. They are as follows:
- A good refrigerator door gasket serves to help the fridge use less electricity.
- It also continuously maintains the temperature of your food.
Considerations Before Purchasing A Refrigerator Door Gasket
Before you go browsing on Amazon or visiting your local hardware store, consider the following factors to get the right refrigerator gasket replacement for your unit:
- Compatibility
Check for yourself whether the refrigerator door gasket is suitable for your refrigerator. Furthermore, be extra careful of the liquids and gasses used to produce the gaskets. It may cause the gaskets to deteriorate hastily.
- Durability
When choosing a refrigerator door gasket, consider its tolerance and resistance levels. Ensure that they are highly resilient to temperature fluctuations.
- Size
Choose refrigerator door gaskets that are appropriately fitted to the metal retainer strip.
- Wear And Tear
While it is almost impossible to prevent wear and tear, selecting a high-quality refrigerator door gasket material combination can minimize the probability of such incidents.
- Lifespan
Choose a refrigerator door gasket material that will support the entire range of refrigerator components and will not react differently under various environments. Such thresholds could well result in a long-lasting gasket.
FAQs
- Why Do I Need To Maintain My Refrigerator Gasket?
Maintaining your refrigerator door gaskets in good condition allows your refrigerator to cool your foods and beverages more efficiently. Keeping the door seal minimizes the probability of repairs and electricity consumption, saving you a lot of money.
- What Is The Source Of Mold On A Refrigerator Door Gasket?
The humidity can naturally draw mold and fungus within your refrigerator and the warm temperature outside. That being said, these molds and fungi produce an unpleasant stench and cause the seals to become weak and damaged.
Despite that, there are several mold removal products and prevention that can aid in the preservation of your refrigerator door seal.
- How Do You Keep Mold From Growing In A Fridge Gasket?
After wiping the refrigerator door seal with a washcloth, rub some vinegar to prevent mold from sprouting again.
A strong gasket surrounding your refrigerator door would save you much on your electric bills while preventing a lot of wear and strain on your appliance. That is why if the gasket becomes fractured and worn beyond repair, you should seek professional help to guarantee that your refrigerator does have a perfectly fitted seal.
Bottomline
Suppose your refrigerator isn’t keeping the foods and beverages inside as cool as it once did, or you’ve noticed indications that your refrigerator door gasket is faulty. In that case, a replacement may be just what you need to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Luckily, this is a simple DIY project that can usually be done within an hour.
With the help of this post, you should be able to learn everything there is to know about refrigerator door gaskets and how to replace a faulty seal with a new one without calling a professional, as well as paying a large sum of money for the services rendered.
To learn more about refrigerators and how this valuable piece of equipment chills the food and beverages inside, check out the post here.
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