Tips for Replacing a Refrigerator Gasket

A refrigerator gasket, or a refrigerator door seal, is a flexible elastic strip attached to the outer edge of a refrigerator or freezer compartment. This gasket is designed to form an air-tight seal that serves as a barrier between the cool air inside the appliance and the warmer external environment. The refrigerator seals function as temperature control, regulating the refrigerator’s internal conditions and helping to keep food fresh. As such, it is a simple but relatively important part of refrigerator design.

Damaged, malfunctioning, or broken refrigerator gaskets can be detrimental to the quality of the appliance. When the sealing material becomes worn, thin, brittle, or cracked there is a greater potential for air leakage. Without a properly functioning gasket, circulated air can escape past the insulated refrigerator or freezer doors, compromising the quality of food preservation and driving up electrical costs. For these reasons, periodic refrigerator gasket replacement is an important part of appliance upkeep. The following tips and suggestions can help owners perform efficient and effective gasket replacement.

Determining When You Need a Refrigerator Gasket Replacement

A refrigerator gasket often needs to be substituted long before the refrigerator itself needs replacement or repairs. Noticeable cracks or thin, brittle sealing strips are fairly obvious signs of a deteriorating gasket, but smaller side tears and loosening of the adhesive bond are also early indicators of gasket damage. Likewise, if the rubber hardens or the refrigerator door becomes difficult to seal, then it's time for a refrigerator seal replacement.

In some cases, refrigerator units will begin to function sporadically, turning on automatically or operating continuously for long periods, and this usually means leakage is occurring. If these warning signs are not addressed and the gasket becomes nonfunctional, warm air can seep into the refrigerator and increase the risk of food spoilage, the motor can overrun and eventually burn out, and electrical expenses can rise dramatically.

Step-by-Step Refrigerator Door Gasket Replacement Tips

Removing and replacing a deficient refrigerator gasket may seem a daunting task, but by following a series of simple steps, one can accomplish the project with relative ease. Before beginning, it is important to purchase a replacement strip that complements the refrigerator’s specifications. Gasket and appliance manufacturers can often assist with finding a matching unit. It is also useful to examine the refrigerator door liner beneath the seal. If the door is cracked or warped, a new seal will not adhere to it, and it will be necessary to replace both the gasket and the liner. Once the appropriate components and tools (a screwdriver or a nut driver) are ready, installation can begin:

• Soak the new gasket in a bathtub or sink filled with warm water. This will soften the material, making it flexible and easier to manipulate.

• Level the refrigerator to make sure it is steady and does not rock. Some find it easier to remove the refrigerator door entirely and lay it flat on the floor. If choosing this option, remove the door handle and carefully detach the door from its hinges, or consult the manufacturer’s manual for removal instructions.

• Fold the original gasket back, beginning at the top of the door and working down. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws holding the gasket in place, but do not remove the screws completely or the liner will detach. In some models, the screws hold the entire door together, making it important to leave them intact.

• Remove the old gasket from the door. Start at the top corner, and gently pull the gasket off the liner, being careful not to dislodge the door screws.

• Clean the area where the new gasket will go, if necessary. Dirt or corrosive substances may have collected under the old gasket, and removing these contaminants can improve the quality of the new refrigerator door seal.

• Fasten the new gasket to the door by sliding it in under the door’s metal retainer or clips. Begin attaching it from the middle of one side of the door, making sure to partly tighten the screws as the process moves along.

• Check for any gaps by closing the door and making sure the seal lies flat and straight against it all the way around. If the door was completely detached from the refrigerator at an earlier stage, reattach it in order to perform the check.

• Retighten the screws completely to fully attach the new gasket. The door may have bent slightly from the loosened screws, so be sure to flex it back into its original position as the screws tighten.

• Wrinkles and small gaps may be present, but they will either straighten themselves out from gasket use, or can be removed using hot air.

While these general guidelines are useful for some gasket replacement projects, other methods may be better suited depending on the model of refrigerator or type of gasket. In most cases, however, periodically replacing a gasket before it breaks down will help keep a refrigerator running smoothly throughout its product life.