Maximum tightness of the refrigerator is very important for its operation. This tightness is achieved by installing an elastic rubber strip around the perimeter of the door. But nothing lasts forever, sooner or later it fails, and it becomes necessary to replace the seal in the refrigerator.
Content:
- Symptoms of seal malfunction
- Dismantling the old seal
- How to choose a new seal
- Installing a new seal
- How to repair an old seal
- Video instruction
Symptoms of seal malfunction
It is possible to understand that replacement of sealing rubber in the refrigerator is necessary with the naked eye. Over time, it begins to dry out, becomes less elastic, and crack. This is due to the temperature difference between the refrigerator chamber and the kitchen, as well as purely mechanical damage due to regular use.
But even if such signs of failure of the rubber seal, at first glance, are not yet visible, but from the doors are clearly blowing with cold air, and on the inner walls ice is very freezing, then repair work is also necessary. Otherwise, more and more warm air, which the device needs, will get inside. will cool, which will ultimately lead to overloads and engine failures, as well as excessive consumption electricity.
Dismantling the old seal
Replacing the sealing gum on the refrigerator begins with the removal of the old rubber. To do this, the refrigerator is turned off, the products are removed, and the door itself can be removed for convenience, if the design allows it, and laid horizontally. The further dismantling procedure will vary slightly depending on how the sealing rubber is attached.
- In the case of fixing the seal on the door in the groove, it is necessary to pull off its edge, insert a flat screwdriver into the slot and, prying the material with it, pull it out of the groove, being careful not to tear.
- If the old seal is glued, it is also gently poked around the entire perimeter with a screwdriver or trowel.
- With screws it’s even easier - you only need to unscrew them.
Further, the surface must be cleaned of dust and debris with a damp cloth, and also wipe off all glue residues, small adhering particles rubber etc. The glue can be perfectly removed with acetone, and it’s better to wipe the door clean with a solvent for acrylic paints or white spirit.
How to choose a new seal
Replacing the sealing rubber in the refrigerator will not work if the new material is unsuitable or of poor quality. New rubber should not have visible damage, heterogeneity of structure or color, sprains or lumps.
Of course, it is good if you can find a seal specifically for this model of refrigerator. But this is not always possible, and any suitable material can be purchased. The only thing is that it should be slightly longer in length and width than the old caked rubber. If the desired size was not in the store, then this is not a problem. The sealant in place can be adjusted by cutting off the excess parts and carefully gluing the joints with a strong adhesive like “Moment”.
As is the case with so many building materials, sealing rubber should be left in the room for about a day to give it time to get used to its microclimate.
Read also:
- Features device and principle of operation of the refrigerator. This article will show you how different types of refrigerators work.
- How to store food in the refrigerator: on which shelves, in what containers, what period of time and at what temperature?
- How to remove the smell from the refrigerator at home: https://sovetexpert.ru/kak-ubrat-zapax-iz-xolodilnika.html
Installing a new seal
It is not enough to choose a good material to replace the worn out one, you need to know how to replace the sealant. It is better to mount a new rubber band in the same way that the old one was attached.
- When mounting on glue, the bonded surfaces must be pre-degreased. You should choose only a quality product and follow the instructions for its use, because different adhesives may have their own characteristics when working, for example, different solidification times, etc.
- If the seal is screwed on, it may be necessary to use screws of a larger diameter if the holes for them loosen over time.
An important point: during the production process, the sealant is mounted by machines with great effort, and when replacing the sealing rubber on the refrigerator door manually, it is very difficult to apply the same effort. Therefore, if the old seal was inserted into the groove, then inserting a new one there, it is worthwhile to additionally fix it with glue or screw it on. Screw holes for this are drilled in increments of 10-15 cm.
Once the glue has dried, or the gum is completely fixed in other ways, the refrigerator can be plugged in and continued to be used as intended.
The first time after a new seal has been installed on the door, the refrigerator carefully follow in order to detect, possibly, not noticed during installation cracks or places of loose fit rubber. To make sure that everything was done correctly, it is possible if the door after opening the seal began to open with visible force.
To replace the sealing rubber on the refrigerator door as little as possible required, the refrigerator should be opened only by the handles, and do not pry rubber for this, regularly mechanically injuring it.
How to repair an old seal
Some minor damage can be repaired even without removing the seal from the door. If he needs a stronger repair, it is better to dismantle it. In the case when the rubber simply lost its shape over time, it is enough to warm it with a hairdryer at a moderate temperature or soak it for some time in hot water.
If separate fragments are peeled off from each other, they are fastened with glue “Moment”. Cracks in rubber are best repaired with an elastic and texture-like material. Suitable, for example, adhesive sealant or something similar to it.
But it should be understood that the repair, although it will extend the life of the seal, but not for long. Therefore, if it is really worn out, covered with mold, it is better to update it, especially since replacing the refrigerator seal is a simple process, and new rubber is cheap.
Video instruction
The video instruction tells about the process of replacing failed sealing rubber on the Stinol refrigerator. The master demonstrates the removal of the door, the dismantling of the old seal and the installation of a new, branded, designed specifically for refrigerators of this brand.
If there is any doubt that you will be able to do the work yourself, even though there is a video instruction, you can always call the refrigeration master. His services will also cost inexpensively.
In contact with
Google+
Classmates
