How To Replace a Refrigerator Door Seal

Introduction

A proper seal is an essential for refrigerator cooling and maintaining energy efficacy in your appliance. If your refrigerator is room temperature or warmer, consider seeing if your seal is broken. If it is damaged or warn, you may notice your refrigerator temperatures fluctuating or higher energy bills due to lost energy.

Symptoms like visible cracks, tears, or difficulty closing the door properly may be an indication of not being able to close the door properly. A replacement would be necessary if cleaning or simple fixes hasn't fixed the issue.

In this guide, I will guide you on how to safely replace your refrigerators door seal, including instructions applicable to all refrigerators models. This requires patience and handling of new gaskets. Replacing one doesn't have to be difficult, it is a relatively straight forward process.

Before starting, always unplug your refrigerator and remove any items inside the refrigerator. Removing the old seal may cause a temporary loss of heat, so try to minimize temperature loss. Always be gentle and patient during the entire process, as excessive force can damage the doors mechanisms.

By following this guide and taking precautions, you can successfully replace the door seal on your refrigerator efficiently and easily.

What you need

Step 1 Refrigerator Door Seal

How To Replace a Refrigerator Door Seal, Refrigerator Door Seal: step 1, image 1 of 1

Use a soap and water solution and clean the surrounding area to remove any dirt, debris, or buildup around the seal and door frame to prevent contamination.
Make sure to clean the area softly and don't overclean.
Start at a corner where the seal meets and pull the seal firmly out of the channel with consistent, gentle pressure.

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Step 2

Check for cracks or any damage in the gasket channel that might affect the new seal.
Verify the channel runs straight and check for any sagging, or any misalignment that can create gaps or pressure points for the new seal.

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Step 3

Put on your gloves and use a baby wipe with water & soap to remove any loose dirt, or sealant remains.
Apply the water and soap mixture to remove any remaining dirt, and then dry it with a cloth.
Use a hair dryer on a low setting to dry the channel.

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Step 4

Allow the new gasket to reach room temperature by removing it from its packaging and let it sit out for an hour.
Having it reach room temperature will allow the gasket to be more easier to install in the later steps.
Have it soak in warm water for one minute to soften the material.
Put on gloves and safety glasses to prevent any cuts.

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Step 5

Install the gasket by starting at the corners and make sure it is aligned around the door perimeter. Then, begin at a corner point and work around the door frame, and ensure it fits properly.
Do this carefully or the gasket will not properly install. Follow the instructions closely.
Use the hair dryer to warm any potential stubborn ends that may appear.
Press firmly with gloved hands to securely push it into the channel. Be firm but not too aggressive so it is installed well.
Apply petroleum jelly around any areas that may resist installation.

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Step 6

Check for proper closure by using the paper test. Grab a piece of paper and try to fit it in between the gap of the seal. If it can fit, it is not installed properly and repeat step 5 again. If it is, then you may proceed.
Test multiple areas around the area, put more of your attention toward areas that are the hardest to install.
Make sure to test all areas and focus more on the hardest spots. The testing must be done in a careful manner.
Adjust gasket positioning if needed. When it fits, it won't be a satisfying click like putting a puzzle piece together. So, ensure it is fully positioned and finished before finishing. Retest if needed. If it is complete, then you are done.