The seal for the refrigerator: the rules for choosing and replacing the sealing gum

The refrigerator should not only reduce the temperature in the cooling and freezing chambers, but also to support the selected mode. A big role in this is played by elastic band on the appliance door.

If it is loose, there is a frost, the compressor is turned on more often on internal walls of the chamber, consumes more energy. We look at how to choose a new seal to the refrigerator and set it on the door.

What causes gum fault?

Tightness of the refrigerating and freezing chambers is ensured by an elastic rubber tape with a magnetic insert inside. Its main function - at closing firmly "glued" to the body of the appliance door.

If it is not adjacent to the surfaces and remain gaps through which warm air enters chamber, there are failures in the refrigerator.

Workers in service centers say that 80-85% of all breakdowns units, in one way or another connected with ventilated seals. If time does not pay attention to the problem, the situation is only getting worse

The gap between the elastic body and the device enters the warm air. It contains particles of water vapor, which condenses when the temperature is lowered and deposited on the chamber walls in the form of droplets.

This water freezes. Frost is gradually formed and it becomes thicker layer.

This may result in that the temperature sensor fails. In order to maintain the desired mode, the compressor of the refrigerator more often, it lasts longer and is less effective than before.

The result is an increase in energy consumption and premature wear of expensive components. Consumers constantly have to pay the bills for the light, and then - to repair the damaged compressor.

Replacing the rubber band - a relatively cheap form of repair. But if time does not fix the damage, trouble Guaranteed: often have to defrost the unit, and later give in service

Timely restoration or replacement of the seal gum for the fridge - it's a simple and cheap way to avoid serious problems that will inevitably lead to major costs.

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

The first sign that should alert - frost. If in the refrigerator to take care and time defrost, growths on the rear wall should not be.

Intense frost, frequent switching of the compressor - all this indicates a malfunction of the sealing tape.

Sometimes the problem can be determined visually. For example, if the belt is cracked, has obvious defects, severe dents or moving away from the door, it is clear that it is time to do it.

Gum can abut loosely and because of poor care refrigerator. If the recess crowded crumb material expands in these locations, and then appears beside the slit.

Minor damage can be repaired by restoring the elasticity of the gum using hot water or stroyfena. But the cracked and yellowed sealant definitely have to change

The gap can be completely invisible, but still breathable. To determine a malfunction, the master service centers using special probes 0.1 mm thick.

But there is an easier way. Door open, insert the paper under it and try to move it up and down. If the sheet is firmly clamped, the seal is in order. If the paper is moved by a rubber band, the latter needs restoration or replacement.

Forms of the elastic band for a refrigerator

On old technology installed thick rubber bands, and are unlikely to be able to replace one hundred percent counterparts.

Modern seals made of polymers, although out of habit continue to name "gum". It is better to take just such a tape, making sure it is the right size.

Products are single and dvuhbalonnymi. In most established models seals the second type. They are provided with magnetic strips, which provide a better fit to the body of the door.

When buying parts need to know exactly the brand of your refrigerator. Even if there is no sale of products intended for this model, it will be easier to pick up a similar

Tapes different mode of installation. The easiest way to change the seal in the groove with fastening ( "herringbone"). If the refrigerator door does not need to deepen, you can put the gum on the screws and secure the adhesive composition.

Seal with fastening "herringbone" removable, so in case of cleaning or replacement will not be with him difficulties. Screws and glue secure the reliable, but these methods are more labor-intensive.

When screwing screws easily damage the plastic panel, and the adhesive composition poorly removed during subsequent replacement of parts - cut tape falls.

If there are slots for attaching the seal to the refrigerator door, replacement parts takes a minimum of time. Another plus: do not need any special tools to dismantle the old and install the new belt

When choosing a seal not be shy to ask questions and find out the details of the seller. If the product does not fit, it is necessary to look for new, and did not turn into an obsession with unnecessary costs. Immediately need to buy additional items - glue or fasteners.

Step by step instructions for replacing

To work may require such additional materials and tools:

• Screwdriver or screwdriver, if the tape is fitted on the screws;
• small spatula - to clean surfaces when the seal is adhered;
• Building a hairdryer;
• glue type "Moment", "BF" or silicone sealant;
• solvent or mineral spirits for degreasing surfaces.

If the old sealing strip secured in the slots on the refrigerator door, you only need a screwdriver to pry her, and hair dryers.

Step 1 - Preparation and dismantling gum

Refrigerator is disconnected from the network and stored in it take out the products. The easiest way to work, if you remove the door and put on the floor.

If this is not possible, it is necessary to change the eraser "on weight", which is not particularly convenient, and can affect the quality of the installation.

dismantling method depends on how old the item is fixed. If it is set "herringbone", the groove edge of a little push back on itself, and the seal is pulled up, trying not to break.

If necessary, between the edge of the panel and ribbon can insert a flat bladed screwdriver. Hooked it, it is easy to get gum out of the slot.

Remove the old gum from the refrigerator, do not need to hurry. This work is done carefully and accurately so as not to damage the plastic and metal parts of the door

To remove gum bolted with screws, only need a screwdriver or screwdriver. But with glued seal will have to tinker.

It is necessary not only to tear the metal, but also to remove adhering small pieces of rubber crumbs. The surface must be completely clean.

Step 2 - Selection tape replacement

If the new seal will not work, all efforts are useless, so it is important to choose the right product.

When buying pay attention to such nuances:

1. Mark and the serial number of the refrigerator. If the sale is gum on the model you want, select the problem can already be considered solved. The tape should be ideally suited for the size and type of attachment. If not, you can pick up similar.
2. The size. If you can not buy a sleeve for a particular brand of refrigerator, you need to carefully measure the old, to determine its type, and select a suitable environment available. Such difficulties often arise owners of outdated or unpopular models.
3. The state of New Tape. New seal may be defective. To avoid unpleasant surprises in the future, should be carefully examine the purchase. It should be free of cracks, damages. Quality material has a uniform smooth texture and even color. Lumps and stretching are not allowed.

Sometimes you can not find gum on old models of refrigerators. In this case, use of any other suitable sealant.

Size customized, cutting off the extra pieces and glue the joints. Such a replacement - the worst option and resort to it only in desperate situations.

After buying the tape for a day left in the room where the work will be carried out. During this period, it can not be cut and moreover mounted on the door. The material must adapt to the microclimate

If you need to stick the tape, then care should be taken to choose the composition. Experts recommend "Moment". He holds the surface of the well and eventually does not lose its properties.

The only caveat: on the cover of the door may leave traces, so work very carefully, immediately wiping away drops of glue. An alternative to the "moment" - "BF".

There is a wizard who prefer silicone sealants. They are really reliable, easy to use, is flexible and excellent adhesion to most materials.

When choosing the best prefer compositions, on the packaging which is marked on the frost.

Phase 3 - setting the seal on the door

When mounting tape is not desirable to experiment and find a way to mount than he was before. If the old rubber band inserted into the slots, then a new set as well. The only case when you have to reinvent the wheel - in case of breakage of the door elements.

Production gum fastened in the groove by means of special equipment. You can not manually repeat the process with the same effort. Therefore it makes sense to err and additionally fix adhesive tape or pressed screws

Depending on their situation, will use one of three methods of installation. It is important to do everything carefully, without disturbing the integrity of the components and sequence of steps.

The following options are possible:

1. gluing. The most important stage of work - cleaning surfaces. They should be carefully degrease. Glue is applied and dried according to the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. The door can not close until the composition is completely dry.
2. screwing the screws. If the refrigerator is very old and is "native" seal on it, it is likely that the fasteners become loose and poorly kept. To this did not happen with a new band, it is mounted on the larger diameter screws.
3. Insert into the grooves. Fastening tape from "herringbone" is inserted in the slot, and further put on the adhesive or pressed screws. Screws screwed at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other.

When the work is finished, it is necessary to examine a new sealing gum, make sure it is not damaged during installation. If everything is in order, the products are returned to the refrigerator and include it in the network.

When properly installed, the tape door must be opened with some effort, and next to it should not be felt cool. You can again perform the test with a sheet of paper.

As dirt accumulates recesses tape. It needs to be cleaned out, and the surface cleaned with detergents and disinfectants without acids, abrasives in the composition

To seal served for many years without repair and replacement, the door should be opened for the handle, without touching the gums.

When washing the refrigerator it is necessary to clean the recess with an old toothbrush tape with a soda solution.

After drying, the gum can be treated with silicone grease. But oil should be avoided: they reduce the elasticity of the material.

Recommendations for repair seal

If the damage is local and should be returned to the elasticity of the old tape, it is possible to resort to tricks:

1. Places where gum leaves from the door, sized "moments" or silicone sealant.
2. Deformed or has lost elasticity sealing piece is soaked in the basin with hot water. Option - a moderate warming stroyfenom throughout.
3. If there were a few cracks, they sealed with sealant or other adhesive composition, safe for humans.

Another point - only if the belt is deformed from the outer side of the door, it is possible to remove the damaged area and attach to the inside.

The seal, which has serious defects, numerous cracks and even more so mold can not be repaired. Restoration is only possible as a variant of "first aid" until the new material will be bought

Useful videos on the topic

Search and replace the seal on the refrigerator door - all this troublesome, though simple measures. If you do not know where to start, check out the 'video.

We have collected the best videos, which give a detailed explanation of the master and demonstrate each stage of works.

Especially recommended materials on a permutation of rubber on the other side of the door. This is a temporary measure, but it make life easier, until you find the correct seal and ready for replacement.

Detailed instructions for element replacement. Necessary tools, materials, technology works:

Advice on how to change the seal on the door of the freezer of the refrigerator:

Reconstruction and restoration of the sealing rubber bands instead of the replacement:

Unexpected, but working way to solve the problem - a permutation of gum:

The sealing strip is replaced by the refrigerator door is no big deal. Even an inexperienced master this procedure takes less than an hour. It is important to choose the right material, high quality gum to remove the old and prepare the surface well. The rest - a trick. If you know how to handle screwdriver and stroyfen, be sure to consult.