DIY refrigerator seal repair

In detail: do-it-yourself refrigerator seal repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Often, on old and "seen" refrigerators, the sealing gum on the door breaks down. It begins to poorly perform the tasks assigned to it and deforms (breaks), while opening free access to warm air in the refrigerator or freezer. Of course, a slight gap will not critically affect the operation of the refrigerator and the restoration of the sealing gum of the refrigerator can be postponed, but if the sealing gum is strongly stratified and holes appear in some places, then this issue should be taken care of. Such a malfunction can lead to overheating of the relay and failure of the entire compressor. Refrigerator repair and compressor replacement services cost a lot of money, so it’s better to prevent breakdown by replacing the gum on the refrigerator.

It is worth paying attention to how tightly the sealing gum adheres to the body. The service life and quality of the refrigeration equipment directly depend on this. You can check the gap with a regular sheet of paper, about 0.2 mm thick. It should not move from side to side after entering the gap between the metal and the elastic. If it moves freely, so to speak, "walks", then this is one of the signs of delamination and the need to replace the seal.

The first way is to soak the gum in water. Carefully, avoiding tears, you remove the rubber band from the refrigerator body and place it in hot water. After the "water" procedures, no less carefully than the previous time, you put the rubber seal in place.

The second way is to warm up the gum with a hair dryer (70-80 degrees will be enough). After thoroughly warming up, it is necessary to stretch the rubber band while still hot in those places where the gap was found. After that, close the door tightly and wait until the elastic hardens (15-20 minutes). This method is especially effective if the deformation was small.

Video (click to play).

The refrigerator should stand horizontally, straight, without distortions, check this point before starting work.

First, it is better to clean the gum: apply 2 drops of ammonia and detergent to a sponge and wipe it along the contour of the gum. Removes dirt, grease and gives elasticity.

You need to check where the gap is by pressing a strip of paper with the door.

In places where it is, slip something under the elastic. If the gap is no more than 2mm, then it helps.

Hot gum exposure:

Heating the gum with a hair dryer (70-80 degrees) and then giving it the desired shape, it should "fall" into place. Don't forget your mittens!
Hot water, washing with hot water, from a kettle or other container, then shaping it. Do not forget to put a rag under the refrigerator to collect water, and also wipe it dry!
A more complicated way is to take an iron and process the gum with hot steam.

Check for leaks better - with a flashlight - put the included flashlight in the refrigerator and look around the perimeter of the door where the light breaks through.

The refrigerator must not only reduce the temperature in the cooling and freezing chambers, but also maintain the selected mode. An important role in this is played by the elastic band on the appliance door.

If it does not fit snugly, ice appears on the inner walls of the chamber, the compressor turns on more often, consumes more energy resources. Let's figure out how to choose a new seal for the refrigerator and install it on the door.

The tightness of the refrigerating and freezing chambers is ensured by an elastic rubber band with a magnetic insert inside. Its main function is to firmly "glue" the appliance door to the body when closing.

If it does not adhere to surfaces and there are gaps through which warm air enters the chambers, the refrigerator will malfunction.

Warm air enters the gap between the rubber band and the device body. It contains particles of water vapor, which condenses with decreasing temperature and settles on the walls of the chamber in the form of drops.

This water freezes. Frost gradually forms, and its layer becomes thicker and thicker.

This can lead to the failure of the temperature sensor. To maintain the desired mode, the refrigerator compressor turns on more often, runs longer and is less efficient than before.

As a result, there is an increase in energy consumption and premature wear of an expensive part. The consumer has to constantly overpay on electricity bills, and later - to repair a damaged compressor.

Refurbishing or replacing the refrigerator gum on time is an easy and cheap way to avoid serious problems that will inevitably lead to high costs.

The first sign that should alert you is ice. If the refrigerator is properly looked after and thawed on time, there should be no growths on the back wall.

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

Sometimes problems can be identified visually. For example, if the tape is cracked, has obvious defects, severe dents, or comes loose from the door, it’s obvious that it’s time to tackle it.

The elastic band can also be loose due to poor care of the refrigerator. If crumbs are crammed into the grooves, the material expands in these places and then a gap appears next to it.

The gap may be completely invisible, but still allow air to pass through. To determine such a breakdown, the masters of the service centers use special probes with a thickness of 0.1 mm.

But there is also 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.

Thick rubber bands are installed on the old equipment, and it is unlikely that they can be replaced with 100% analogs.

Modern seals are made from polymers, although they continue to call them "rubber bands" out of habit. Better to use just such a tape, making sure it fits.

Products are available with one and two-cylinder. Most models have type 2 seals. They are equipped with magnetic stripes, which provide a better fit between the door and the body.

The ribbons differ in the way they are installed. The easiest way is to change the groove seal (“herringbone”). If the refrigerator door does not have the necessary recesses, you can put an elastic band on self-tapping screws or a reliable adhesive.

The herringbone seal is removable, so it will be easy to clean or replace. Self-tapping screws and glue are more secure, but these methods are more laborious.

When screwing in the screws, it is easy to damage the plastic panel, and the adhesive composition is poorly removed during the subsequent replacement of the part - the tape has to be cut out.

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

The work may require the following additional materials and tools:

a screwdriver or screwdriver, if the tape is set on self-tapping screws;
small spatula - for cleaning surfaces if the seal is glued;
construction hair dryer;
glue like "Moment", "BF" or silicone sealant;
solvent or white spirit for degreasing surfaces.

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

The refrigerator is disconnected from the mains, and the food stored in it is taken out. It will work most easily if you remove the door and put it on the floor.

If this is not possible, you will have to change the rubber band "by weight", which is not particularly convenient and may affect the quality of the installation.

Read also: DIY oka 1113 engine repair

If you screw the structure onto self-tapping screws, this method can damage the door or the seal itself. It can be glued, but it will be difficult to tear it off afterwards. Therefore, it is better to choose a suitable rubber band for the refrigerator model.If the repair did not bring the desired result, then you will need to buy a new sealing rubber for the refrigerator. The replacement process takes place in several ways. This mainly depends on how the seal was originally installed. Consider several ways to replace sealing rubber:

First you need to remove the refrigerator door and place it on a surface. Cut the old seal in the places where it joins the door and tear it off. We cut off the new sealing rubber so that its edges do not go beyond the door. The new seal can be fitted onto double-sided tape.

To remove the old seal, you need to take a spatula and, lifting the seal, carefully remove it from the groove. Therefore, remove all old material. The new sealing rubber is installed in the grooves, for this you can use a screwdriver. Also, in order for the seal to hold more reliably, it can be glued to superglue.

If the sealing rubber has been planted on the foam, then a chisel or a knife can be used to dismantle it. First, remove the refrigerator door and set it on a flat surface. Cut the seal and tear it off. We thoroughly clean the door from polyurethane foam. In order to fix the new sealing rubber, holes are drilled around the door for self-tapping screws. Cut the rubber to the required size and fit it onto the self-tapping screws. We fasten the seal loosely, without tension. We put the door in place and with the help of awnings we adjust it so that it fits snugly and evenly to the refrigerator.

So, repair or replacement of some elements of the unit can save it. There is no need to throw away the refrigerator right away, only one part in it can be repaired and it will work as before.

Replacing household appliances with new ones is a problem even for the middle class. A refrigerator is a rather expensive and important element of any kitchen. Its breakdown can seriously affect both the budget and the morale of the family.

The most common breakdowns are door skew and seal lag. How to solve these problems will be discussed in this article.

Refrigerator door seal

There are several explanations for this. By visual inspection of the door, the cause can be determined. Physical damage, deformation of the door (dents, distortions of the metal, and not of the fasteners), due to which the door does not close. This kind of breakdown can only be repaired in a workshop or replaced with another. Deformed metal, which is used for external cladding of equipment, is very difficult to level at home. To do this, you must completely disassemble the door as a part and walk over it with a special power tool, and then assemble it back. It is not recommended to do this “on the knee” at home.

Loose or deformed fasteners.If the door curtains have signs of damage or the bolts (sometimes rivets) do not hold tightly, this is a clear sign of the door skewing. Its elimination is possible at home by one person.
A rotten, loose or cracked seal is also the cause of this problem. After inspecting the rubber pad around the perimeter, you can find the problem area. If, after a little pressure or tugging on the rubber, the seal crumbles or begins to sag, it's time to start replacing it.

Replacing the seal in the refrigerator door

Refrigerator curtains are a very tricky detail. They are attached to the door plane with pins. In order to remove the door and get to the mounting bots, you need to put the refrigerator on its side, curtains up. Do not put on the back wall - there is a chance of damaging the thin tubes that conduct the cooling agent. This is fraught with serious consequences.

Having examined the bottom, it is easy to notice the small bolts that secure the lower door curtain. Removing it, you can literally "pull" the door out of the upper groove. After that, the bolts (less often self-tapping screws or rivets) of the upper curtain will have free access. Sometimes they are closed with a plastic cover - it is easy to pry it off with a knife, and put it back after the repair is completed.

The backlash of the curtains is determined quite simply - if, with a small load of curtains, it "walks" from side to side, turns or makes a knock, it must be fixed more firmly or replaced altogether. Bent pins and cracks are a sign of wear on a part - get a new one.

Bolts - it is necessary to set the curtain at a level (90 to the level of the bottom, in line with the lower curtain) and tighten with a wrench. Sometimes a thin counter-washer is used to strengthen the structure, which does not allow the bolt to unscrew.
Self-tapping screws - a similar procedure, only here you need a flat or Phillips screwdriver.
Rivets are a bigger problem. Riveting can be done using a special set of tools similar to a center punch for metal. If possible, replace the old rivets with screws or bolts. This way you will quickly repair the door without damaging the refrigerator box.

If a crack was found in the area where the bracket was attached, it’s not scary. Most refrigerators allow for mounting on the opposite side. To do this, you need to remove the doors, free the nests for the pins from the plastic plugs on the other side and assemble the refrigerator, install the curtains on the other side. Cracks or holes in the old place for fastening must be closed with plastic covers (supplied with the refrigerator) or treated with epoxy resin (cold welding) in case of a serious crack.

For quick installation of the sealing gum on the refrigerator door, you do not need to remove it from the hinges. However, it is necessary to work in a well-ventilated room - the smell of toxic glue can be detrimental to your health.

So, if the problem is in the seal, then the first step is to remove it. Factory rubber bands are one piece that is glued to metal using a multi-purpose glue. It is easy to remove the gasket - it is worth prying it off with a sharp knife and pulling it by hand. In most cases, you will be able to remove a large piece with one jerk.

After that, it is worth removing the remnants of industrial glue. A rag with soapy water or a coarse sponge soaked in rubbing alcohol will work well. For particularly strong types of adhesives, you will have to use chemical solvents. The choice of solvent should be based on toxicity - only those that are safe for the respiratory system should be selected.

Having removed the old layer of glue, you need to order or make yourself a new seal. It is not difficult to find a suitable one for the popular models of refrigerators. The rubber part should be looked for by the exact model name of your device. For older models, rubber band gaskets will work.They are sold in hardware stores by meter or in special rolls of fixed length.

Rubber band gasket

The best option is Moment glue for rubber, metal, and ceramics with an average strength. Too strong glue will be more difficult to remove from the door leaf after unsuccessful pasting or at the next repair.

New seal on the old refrigerator

Some types of rubber bands have a groove connection or are screwed on with self-tapping screws. In this case, no glue is needed. The gluing takes place in two stages:

Applying a thin layer of glue to the corners of the rubber square, leveling with a water level, stretching.
Bonding the entire perimeter with small portions of glue.

It should be borne in mind that rubber glue sets in 15-20 minutes. This is sufficient time for the seal to align and stretch. When gluing the perimeter, firmly press the rubber to the metal - the strength of the gluing depends on this. Use clamps if possible. After complete drying, it is necessary to remove bubbles and wipe everything around the perimeter with detergent. The refrigerator is now ready for further use.

Replacing an old seal in the refrigerator is a simple task for an experienced craftsman. However, it is important to know how to care for your home appliance to avoid re-breaking.

Compliance with the defrosting schedule (for outdated models);
Periodic check of units and parts for rotting, unpleasant odor, crumbling;
Avoiding overheating or hypothermia (especially important for equipment that is not currently being used, but stored in a warehouse or garage.

By observing these simple rules, you can avoid the need for repairs and extend the service life of the equipment. It is important to note that a huge amount of cold escapes through the slots in the seal, which adversely affects the quality of the products and makes the refrigerator work in an enhanced mode. This has a detrimental effect on its resource. Even a small gap, into which the corner of A4 sheet will freely pass, is a potential problem and has a bad effect on work.

Here is a problem - the rubber seal of the refrigerator door has dried out. The refrigerator is very old (ZIL, but it works great), the seal is not magnetic - ordinary rubber.

The question is - is it possible to somehow restore (soften) the rubber of the seal or do something that would close the gap formed (For example, a layer of silicone sealant. But will it not be harmful?).

Give the address of at least one such store (in Moscow time).

2OK:
Chain of stores Iceberg, Morena.
But! quality - hmm, hmm, choose carefully and good luck.
Is Zil round? then it is more difficult - for a long time I have not seen rubber on them. A long time ago.
G!

I doubt very much about buying a new seal.
Zil is still that, he has a handle like old cars. and he is like that. with rounded shapes :)))
In general, as long as I can remember, I have watched it so much.

At the expense of ammonia, you might think, but kerosene definitely disappears - you can never get rid of the smell: (((

2DMC:
Try it - But definitely! this is one of the most reliable x-kov. Practically not killed!
G!

Refrigerators may be indestructible, but spare parts for them and the complete set are mortal, like all of us :)))

It remains only to find the required amount of ammonia, but I will try the silicone first, KIM-TEK 301.

Two years ago I called on an ad in an advertising newspaper, which is thrown into the mailbox, asked what kind of refrigerator you have, a week later we arrived with a sealant and replaced it. They just make them to order, this can be seen from the fact that the rubber is glued together from several pieces, but very neatly. An old ZIL refrigerator with a rounded door. It was in Nizhny Novgorod.

The best way to repair a gasket on an old refrigerator is to find an antique refrigerator repair shop and replace the gasket with a new one with the help of a specialist in that shop. In such workshops there are seals for old ZILs. Either they make them themselves, or they dug up a warehouse of antique spare parts somewhere.

If you want to fix the refrigerator yourself, then try these recommendations on how to reanimate the seal of the old refrigerator.

1 way how to repair the seal of an old refrigerator:
how to warm up the seal with a hair dryer, and then stretch it in those places where a gap has formed. Close the door tightly and wait a few minutes for the seal to cool down.

2 way how to repair the seal of an old refrigerator:
Remove the seal and soak it in hot water. Better yet, in a solution of ammonia. Old rubber will regain its former softness and elasticity. After that, the seal must be wiped dry and again glued to the refrigerator door or installed on self-tapping screws.