Replacing the rubber seal on the refrigerator

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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Seal repair

If the rubber band is not torn, you can try to restore it. However, it should be borne in mind that this is a temporary measure, since the rubber band will still need to be replaced soon. Depending on the nature of the damage, the following methods are used:

If the gap is no more than 1 - 2 mm in the place of deformation, a gasket of appropriate thickness is placed under the seal;
In places with minor gaps, rubber glue is applied to the seal previously cleaned with alcohol;
To restore slightly deformed rubber, use a hair dryer. The deformation area is heated to 64-70 C and it is given the desired shape by hand. After which the door is pressed with force and held in this position for several minutes.
Restoration of severely deformed rubber is carried out with boiling water, pouring over the seal. In this case, it is better to remove the door and put it on the floor or remove the rubber band and place it in hot water.
To restore the oka 3 refrigerator door seal, an iron with a steam function can be used.

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.

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.

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.

How to find the gap between the door and the body?

The first sign that should alert you is ice. If the refrigerator is properly cared for and defrosted on time, there should be no growths on the back wall. Intense formation of frost, frequent activation of the compressor - all this indicates a faulty sealing tape.

Sometimes problems can be identified visually. For example, if the tape is cracked, has obvious defects, severe dents, or is coming away from the door, it is obviously time to take care of it.

The rubber band may not fit tightly due to poor maintenance of the refrigerator. If crumbs are packed into the recesses, the material expands in these places and then a gap appears nearby.

Minor damage can be repaired by restoring the elasticity of the elastic using hot water or a stroyfen. But a dried out and yellowed seal will definitely have to be replaced

The gap can be completely invisible, but still let air through. To determine such a breakdown, service center technicians use special probes 0.1 mm thick.

But there is an easier way. They open the door, insert paper under it and try to move it up and down. If the sheet is securely clamped, the seal is good. If the paper moves under the rubber band, then the latter needs restoration or replacement.

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 does a faulty rubber band lead to?

The tightness of the refrigerator and freezer compartments is ensured by an elastic rubber band with a magnetic insert inside. Its main function is to tightly “glue” the device door to the body when closing.

If it does not adhere to the surfaces and there are gaps through which warm air enters the chambers, the refrigerator will malfunction.

Employees of service centers note that up to 80-85% of all unit breakdowns are, one way or another, related to leaky seals. If you do not pay attention to the malfunction in time, the situation will only get worse

Warm air enters the gap between the rubber band and the body of the device. It contains particles of water vapor, which, when the temperature drops, condenses and settles on the walls of the chamber in the form of drops. This water freezes. Ice gradually forms, and its layer becomes thicker.

This may cause the temperature sensor to fail. To maintain the desired mode, the refrigerator compressor turns on more often, runs longer and is less efficient than before.

The result is increased energy consumption and premature wear of expensive parts. The consumer has to constantly overpay for electricity bills, and later have to replace a damaged compressor.

Replacing a rubber band is a relatively cheap repair. But if the breakdown is not corrected in time, troubles are guaranteed: you will have to defrost the device often, and later send it for service

Timely restoration or replacement of the rubber seal for the refrigerator is a simple and cheap way to avoid serious problems that will inevitably lead to large costs.