Seal for a refrigerator: rules for choosing and replacing sealing gum

The refrigerator must not only reduce the temperature in the cooling and freezing chambers, but also maintain the selected mode.The elastic band on the device door plays a big role in this. If it does not fit tightly, ice appears on the inner walls of the chamber, the compressor turns on more often, and consumes more energy resources.

We will tell you how to choose a new seal for the refrigerator and install it on the door. In the article we present you will find methods for searching for areas of loose fitting of worn or deformed rubber bands. The replacement technology we have described in detail will help you quickly and efficiently get rid of the problem.

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, 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.

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 defrost 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.

Types of elastic band for refrigerator

Old equipment has thick rubber bands installed, and it is unlikely that they can be replaced with 100% analogues. Modern seals are made from new types of polymers, although out of habit they continue to be called “rubber bands.” It is better to take just such a tape, making sure that it fits in size.

Products come in single and double bottles. Most models have second type seals. They are equipped with magnetic strips that ensure a better fit of the door to the body.

When purchasing a part, you need to know exactly the brand of your refrigerator. Even if there is no product on sale intended for this model, it will be easier to find a similar one

Tapes vary in installation method. The easiest way to change a seal is that it is mounted in a groove (“herringbone”). If the refrigerator door does not have the necessary recesses, you can attach an elastic band to self-tapping screws or a reliable adhesive.

The herringbone seal is removable, so it won't be difficult to clean or replace. Self-tapping screws and glue attach more reliably, but these methods are more labor-intensive.When screwing in the screws, it is easy to damage the plastic panel, and the adhesive composition is difficult to remove when the part is subsequently replaced - the tape has to be cut out.

If the refrigerator door has grooves for attaching the seal, replacing the part will take a minimum of time. Another plus: no special tools are required to dismantle the old and install the new tape

When choosing a seal, do not hesitate to ask questions to the seller and find out the details. If the product does not fit, you will have to look for a new one, and then non-intrusiveness will result in unnecessary expenses. You immediately need to buy additional elements - glue or fasteners.

Step-by-step replacement instructions

The following additional materials and tools may be required for work:

• a screwdriver or screwdriver if the tape is mounted on self-tapping screws;
• a small spatula - for cleaning surfaces if the seal is glued;
• construction hair dryer;
• glue such as “Moment”, “BF” or silicone sealant;
• solvent or white spirit for degreasing surfaces.

If the old sealing tape is secured in the grooves on the refrigerator door, then all you need is a screwdriver to pry it off and a hair dryer.

Stage 1 - preparing and dismantling the gum

The refrigerator is disconnected from the network, and the food stored in it is taken out. The easiest way to work is to remove the door and place it on the floor. If this is not possible, you will have to change the rubber band “on the fly”, which is not particularly convenient and may affect the quality of the installation.

The method of dismantling depends on how the old part is secured. If it is installed in a herringbone pattern, the edge of the groove is pushed back slightly, and the seal is pulled up, trying not to tear it. If necessary, you can insert a flathead screwdriver between the edge of the panel and the tape.By prying it up, it is easy to remove the elastic from the groove.

When removing an old rubber band from the refrigerator, there is no need to rush. This work is performed carefully and carefully so as not to damage the plastic and metal elements of the door.

To remove the rubber band screwed with self-tapping screws, you only need a screwdriver or screwdriver. But you will have to tinker with the glued seal.

It must not only be torn off from the metal, but also small pieces and rubber crumbs that have stuck to it must be removed. The surface must be absolutely clean.

Stage 2 - selecting a replacement tape

If the new seal doesn't fit, all your efforts will be useless, so it's important to choose the right product.

When purchasing it, pay attention to the following nuances:

1. Refrigerator brand and serial number. If there is an elastic band for the desired model on sale, the problem of choice can already be considered solved. The tape should fit perfectly in size and type of fastening. If not, then you can choose a similar one.
2. Size. If it is not possible to buy a seal for a specific brand of refrigerator, you need to carefully measure the old one, determine its type and select the appropriate one from among those available. Such difficulties often arise among owners of outdated or unpopular models.
3. New tape condition. The new seal may be defective. To avoid unpleasant surprises in the future, you should carefully inspect your purchase. There should be no cracks or damage on it. High-quality material has a uniform, smooth structure and even color. Lumps and stretching are unacceptable.

Sometimes you can't find a rubber band for an old refrigerator model. In this case, use any other suitable sealant. The dimensions are adjusted by cutting off excess pieces and gluing the joints.Such a replacement is the worst option, and is resorted to only in desperate situations.

After purchasing the tape, it is left for a day in the room where the work will be carried out. During this period, it cannot be cut off, much less installed on the door. The material must adapt to the microclimate

If the tape needs to be glued, then the composition should be carefully selected. Experts recommend Moment. It holds surfaces well and does not lose its properties over time.

The only caveat: marks may remain on the door covering, so you need to work very carefully, immediately wiping off drops of glue. An alternative to “Moment” is “BF”.

There are craftsmen who prefer silicone sealants. They are truly reliable, easy to use, elastic and have excellent adhesion to most materials. When choosing, it is better to give preference to formulations whose packaging contains marks about frost resistance.

Stage 3 - installing the door seal

When installing the tape, it is not advisable to experiment and look for a different method of fastening than was previously used. If the old rubber band was inserted into the grooves, then install the new one in the same way. The only case when you have to reinvent the wheel is when the door elements break.

In production, the elastic band is attached to the groove using special equipment. It is impossible to repeat this process manually with the same effort. Therefore, it makes sense to play it safe and additionally fix the tape with glue or press it with self-tapping screws

Depending on your situation, you will have to use one of three installation methods. It is important to do everything carefully, without violating the integrity of the elements and the sequence of steps.

The following options are possible:

1. Gluing. The most important stage of work is cleaning the surfaces. They should be thoroughly degreased with a solvent. The glue is applied and dried in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions located on the packaging. The door must not be closed until the composition is completely dry.
2. Screwing with self-tapping screws. If the refrigerator is very old and has the original seal, there is a high probability that the fasteners are loose and do not hold well. To prevent this from happening with a new rubber band, it is mounted on self-tapping screws of a larger diameter.
3. Insert into grooves. The herringbone tape is inserted into the slots and additionally placed on glue or pressed with self-tapping screws. The screws are screwed in at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other.

When the work is completed, you should inspect the new sealing rubber to make sure that it was not damaged during installation. If everything is in order, the products are returned to the refrigerator and turned on.

When the tape is installed correctly, the door should open with some effort, and you should not feel cool next to it. You can do the test again with a piece of paper.

Dirt accumulates in the recesses of the belt. It must be cleaned and the surface wiped with detergents and disinfectants without acids or abrasives.

In order for the seal to serve for many years without repair or replacement, the door should be opened by the handles without touching the rubber band. When cleaning the refrigerator, be sure to clean the grooves of the tape with an old toothbrush and soda solution.

After drying, you can treat the rubber band with silicone grease. But it is better not to use oils: they reduce the elasticity of the material.

Recommendations for seal repair

If the damage is local or it is necessary to restore the elasticity of the old tape, you can resort to the following tricks:

1. The places where the rubber band comes away from the door are sealed with “Moment” or silicone sealant.
2. A sealing part that is deformed or has lost elasticity is soaked in a basin of hot water. An option is moderate heating with a heat gun along the entire length.
3. If a few cracks appear, they are sealed with sealant or other adhesive that is safe for humans.

Another point - if the tape is deformed only on the outside of the door, it can be removed and attached with the damaged area to the inside.

A seal that has serious defects, numerous cracks, and especially mold, cannot be repaired. Restoration is only possible as an “ambulance” option until new material is purchased

A damaged seal should be replaced in a timely manner, without waiting until the door fails due to a loose fit thermostat or motor-compressor. Violations in the insulation of the refrigeration machine threaten not only food spoilage and huge energy bills, but also breakdown of the equipment itself.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Finding and replacing the seal on the refrigerator door is all a troublesome, albeit simple, undertaking. If you don't know where to start, check out the video selection.

We have collected the best videos in which the craftsmen give detailed explanations and demonstrate each stage of the work. We especially recommend materials devoted to moving the rubber to the other side of the door. This is a temporary measure, but it will make life easier while you find the right seal and prepare for the replacement.

Detailed instructions for replacing the element. Necessary tools, materials, work technology:

Tips on how to change the seal on the refrigerator freezer door:

Restoration and restoration of sealing rubber instead of replacement:

Replacing the sealing tape on the refrigerator door is not difficult. Even for an inexperienced master, this procedure takes no more than an hour. It is important to choose the right material, remove old gum efficiently and prepare the surface well..

The rest is a matter of technique. If you know how to hold a screwdriver and a hair dryer in your hands, you can definitely handle it.

Do you want to tell us how you changed the seal on the door of a refrigerator cabinet with your own hands? Would you like to share technological nuances that will be useful to site visitors? Please write comments in the block below, post photographs related to the topic of the article, and ask questions.