The rubber band on the refrigerator door is torn, what to do

In the refrigerator, even the motor and capillary tubes break down, what to speak of such a modest component as sealing gum. You can deal with this breakdown on your own, without resorting to the services of an expensive service center. In the article, we will consider what to do if the rubber band on the door suddenly breaks.

What is the danger of damage to the seal

At first glance, the rubber band is not the main part of the refrigerator, but the optimal and uninterrupted operation of the equipment depends on the density of its fit to the body. When the seal has come off, peeled off, moved out or torn, warm air from outside passes into the chamber.

What’s happening? It becomes too warm in the chamber, the sensors constantly transmit information about the air temperature to the controller, and it sets the operating mode of the compressor.

The motor starts to work at full strength, and due to the fact that it is not possible to cool the constantly incoming air, it wears out. The refrigerator or freezer does not do its job well – the food deteriorates, and you risk the health of the motor and the entire refrigerator as a whole.

You should not sound the alarm, as you can reanimate or replace the rubber band on the refrigerator door, if it is torn, with your own hands.

What to do if the seal is worn out

It is not necessary to immediately change the part – you can try to restore working capacity with improvised means. All known methods are cheap and simple, so the help of a master and spending on repairs will not be needed. Many life hacks have been known since the times of the Union, but are still relevant today. Consider the main methods of gum repair further.

Boiling water will help

Remove the seal from the doors. The procedure depends on the make and model of the refrigerator. There are two ways to dismantle the gum:

1. In modern models, the rubber on the door is attached with foam, so its dismantling will not cause difficulties. Also, the part can be installed in a special groove.
2. Soviet models are cunningly designed – the seal is attached to nails, so there may be problems with removal. Be careful not to deform the part, otherwise you will have to look for new rubber.

Now heat enough water to boiling point and scald the rubber. Leave in water until it cools down. Usually this procedure allows you to restore the dried material.

Attention! The method helps the seal to swell so that it can perform its functions. It will be relevant for refrigerators that have stood for a long time without operation.

Dry the item and hang it in place. Now the rubber should fit snugly against the body, and the tightness will be restored.

Paper and other handy tools

The method will help only in situations where the seal moves away from the door by no more than 2 mm. Measure the gaps so as not to waste work. Arm yourself with a small piece of paper or cardboard (any material similar in structure and density will do) and place it in places where there are voids.

Important! This is a temporary measure to buy time if buying a new seal is out of your budget.

Door rehinging

What to do if the above methods are not suitable or did not help? Try to move the door in the opposite direction, if the model of the refrigerator allows it. Before carrying out work, consider the location of kitchen furniture and the possibility of free opening of the door in the other direction.

Important! This is the 50/50 way – it may or may not work. Therefore, before you start a permutation, be prepared for the fact that the effect will be zero. It all depends on the novelty of the model and on the degree of wear of the sealing material.

gluing

If the deviations are minimal, then you can try to glue these places. The effect will be temporary or durable – it also depends on the glue, on your diligence and skill.

Ask the store which adhesive is best suited. In the network on professional forums, we found the following options:

• “Moment”;
• silicone (it is used, but due to toxicity, masters do not recommend it);
• shoe “88” and other options.

If the elastic band is not damaged, but the door cannot be closed, and the food spoils and thaws on the shelves, check the strength of the door fastening. The hinges could have come off or the screws could have come loose – fix them and check if the situation has improved.

Gum replacement

If you find cracks and fistulas on the part, if the gum is torn or rotted, do not try to repair it. Only replacement with a similar part will help.

The first thing to do is to determine the mounting method and type of part, in accordance with the manufacturer of the refrigerator. Sometimes in different models of the same brand there are different mounts and types of seals. If the gasket is glued, screwed, or slotted in, you can easily replace it.

Important! You can purchase a suitable component in the service center or a specialized store. If there are no problems with the new model, then to the Soviet refrigerator, such as “Dnieper” or “Oka“Finding a new and even old, but serviceable rubber is unrealistic. Of course, there is a way out of any situation – purchase a longer sealing tape, cut to the desired size and install.

In general, the replacement process looks like this:

1. Remove doors from hinges.
2. Lay it horizontally on a table or floor.
3. Remove the defective part using a utility knife or other sharp object. Cut the joints.
4. Remove the rubber band from the slots using tweezers to help you. Be careful not to damage the doors.

Now install a new elastic band using a spike or hairpin. If you made your own old fridge seal, cut out four pieces – 2 vertical and 2 horizontal. Secure the joints with glue, double-sided tape (use the car, it is “more powerful”) or adhesive tape.

To sum up:

• sealant – a cheap but functional part of any refrigerator;
• you can replace the tires yourself;
• can be repaired without buying a new one;
• for an old refrigerator, you can cut strips of the desired size.

Happy renovation!