If the door gasket of your refrigerator is old

The door of your refrigerator is arguably the part of the appliance that goes through the most wear and tear. Over time, being opened and closed countless times a day can cause the seal of the door--the gasket--to develop leaks or to deteriorate. You may not see any change with the naked eye, but your energy bill and the cooling capacity of your refrigerator will reflect the health of your door gasket. Find out how to determine if you have a faulty door gasket, and what to do if you find a problem. You may opt to replace the gasket on your own, or you may choose to contact an appliance repair services professional for help. Whichever way you go, make sure that you address any gasket issues as soon as you find them. Your refrigerator and your bank account will both thank you!

When you have a faulty gasket on your refrigerator door, you no longer have an airtight seal. This means your refrigerator has to work harder to maintain the appropriate temperature, thus putting strain on the appliance and raising your overall energy cost. Diagnosing a problem gasket is the first step in addressing the issue and getting the necessary refrigerator repairs underway. To start the diagnosis, perform an initial visual check. If you see parts of the rubber that are visibly deteriorated or worn out, that's a clear clue that you should replace the gasket. If you can't see anything but you suspect that there's a problem, you can test the strength of the gasket seal by putting a dollar bill half inside and half outside the fridge. If you try to pull it out and can't, the seal in that spot is probably fine. If you can easily remove it, however, your gasket is faulty. You should do this test around the perimeter of the door to make sure you find any and all problem areas. If you prefer to leave all if this in the hands of a professional, an appliance repair service can also perform a test of your gasket and any necessary repairs if you have an issue.

If you or an appliance professional find that you have a faulty refrigerator gasket, it's important to replace it as soon as possible. Timely appliance repairs are an excellent investment, as they maintain the health of your appliance over the long term. In terms of refrigerator appliance repair, replacing a gasket is an excellent job for a DIY enthusiast, or even a DIY newcomer, because it does not involve manipulating any electrics or moving parts. If you want to go the DIY route, the first thing you should do after identifying the problem is to procure the correct replacement gasket. Get one that exactly matches the make and model of your fridge rather than a 'one size fits all' gasket. If you don't know all the exact details of your fridge, you can cut out a small piece of the faulty gasket and take it to an appliance supply specialist so that they can match it. You can even temporarily glue that piece back in if you're not able to get the new gasket right away. Next, you should leave the new gasket in the same room with your current fridge for at least 24 hours so that it will match the temperature and humidity level of the existing gasket. After that, you're ready to remove the old gasket and clean the mounting area with a mild household detergent. You can then put the new gasket on and secure it in place according to your refrigerator manufacturer's instructions.

If you notice an issue with your refrigerator door gasket, you or an appliance repair professional should test it as soon as possible in order to expedite any necessary repair or replacement work. Staying on top of this type of simple repair issue can help you lower energy costs and avoid more costly refrigerator repairs in the future.

Maria Allen is a homeowner and an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, a leader in local online advertising.