How to Install a Door Gasket on a Refrigerator

If you find that your refrigerator just doesn't seem to seal properly anymore, it may be time to replace the door gasket. Any air that leaks from a bad seal can cost you more money on your energy bill. Refrigerator seals are quite easy to replace and they don't take much time at all. 

Step 1: Door Liner

The first thing you must do is to check the door liner first. It is located behind the door seal. If you see any cracks or splits in the door liner, then you will have to replace it along with the door seal.

Step 2: Make and Model

Model number locations can vary for your refrigerator. Check at the top or bottom, in the very front of the unit. Also check on the sides, near the door hinges. Sometimes the model number is behind the crisper. You will need the exact make and model in order to purchase the proper replacement door seal.

Step 3: Prior to Installation

New seals are quite stiff when you first purchase them. Imagine how many years your old door seal has been fully compressed in place. Take the new seal and soak it in hot water for about thirty minutes to one hour in order to soften it up.

Step 4: Removal of Old Door Seal

Lift up on the door seal near the top and see what kind of screwdriver or nut driver you will need to remove the old seal. Start in the front and top corner and begin to loosen the screws that hold the seal in place. Don't loosen the screws entirely because they hold on the door seal and liner. You don't want the door liner to fall off the refrigerator. Gently pull back the seal as you move your way around the entire door.

Step 4: New Seal Installation

Push the new seal in place by pushing it beneath the metal retainer that holds the door seal and liner in place. As you push the new seal in place, slightly tighten down on the screws. Don't tighten them down entirely just yet.

Step 5: Check For Gaps

Once the screws are tightened down just enough to hold the seal in place, shut and open the refrigerator door a few times and make sure the seal is laying completely flat all the way around. If it binds in any place, then looses or tighten down on the screws near that area until the seal is nice and flat.

Step 6: Door Liner Adjustment

The door liner helps the door skin from flexing and holds it in shape. When you loosened the screws holding the door seal and liner in place, you probably allowed some flexing to take place. You may have to flex the door liner back into it's original shape before you tighten all the way down on the screws.

Step 7: Seal Tightening

Now you can tighten down all the screws holding both the seal and liner in place. You may notice some wrinkles, but the seal should not be bunched up in any way.

Refrigerator door seals can be replaced quite easily as long as you match up the seal correctly and don't entirely remove the screws when you are removing the old seal.