Replace A Torn Gasket Seal On A Freezer Compartment's Door

Posted on: 10 May 2017

If your freezer compartment's door will not stay shut because the gasket seal running around it is torn, remove the seal and install a replacement by completing the steps below. Afterward, maintain the condition of the gasket seal so that you can continue to safely store food inside of the freezer.

Materials

  • screwdriver
  • measuring tape
  • white vinegar
  • mild detergent
  • water
  • spray bottle
  • sponge
  • lint-free cloth
  • replacement seal
  • putty knife
  • metal pry bar
  • talcum powder
  • narrow paintbrush

Remove The Damaged Seal And Clean The Door's Edges

Open the freezer compartment's door and locate hardware pieces in the corners of the interior panel. Loosen the hardware with a screwdriver. Grasp the top edges of the panel and pull them towards yourself to slightly separate the panel from the door. Lift the edge of the gasket seal and pull the seal over the panel. Measure the length of the seal to ensure that you purchase a replacement that is the proper size.

Prepare a cleaning solution by adding equal amounts of white vinegar, mild detergent, and warm water to an empty spray bottle. Shake the contents in the bottle for several seconds before applying the spray to the freezer door's edges. Wipe the treated surfaces with a damp sponge. Once the door's sides are clean, dry them with a lint-free cloth.

Install The New Seal And Dust It With Powder

Hold the replacement seal next to the interior door panel. Lift one corner of the seal up and over the door panel. Continue moving along the length of the seal, lifting each portion over the panel and aligning it so that it lays flat around each side of the door. If it is difficult to pull the entire seal around the panel, use a putty knife or metal pry bar to assist with guiding the seal in the proper direction. Once the seal is lined up properly, press against the door panel. Use a screwdriver to tighten the hardware pieces. 

After closing the freezer compartment door, open the door to ensure that the gasket seal is operating properly. If you have difficulty opening the freezer compartment and have to use excessive force when pulling the door's handle, use a narrow paintbrush to apply a thin coat of talcum powder to the gasket's surface. The talcum powder will absorb moisture that is on the gasket and prevent the freezer door from sticking. Maintain the gasket seal by wiping it off with a soapy cloth when it is dirty. Follow up by drying the gasket's surface with a lint-free cloth.

If you don't feel comfortable replacing gaskets on your own, contact a company such as A OK Appliance Service. 

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