An old lid gasket on a freezer can allow condensation to form inside the freezer. This can result in the formation of ice on the food that you have stored. It can also increase the energy consumption of the freezer since cold air will be escaping from the interior of that freezer. It is therefore advisable to replace that old gasket as soon as you notice that it is defective. This article discusses some helpful tips that you should keep in mind during that repair so that nothing goes amiss.
Soak the Gasket
It is advisable for you to soak the new lid gasket in warm water for several hours before you install it in your freezer. Why is this step necessary? The replacement gaskets usually become creased in their packaging. Those creases become more pronounced the longer the gasket takes during storage or shipment to you. You will therefore have a hard time making the gasket to fit properly if you don't remove those creases before you start the installation process. Soaking the gasket is the best way to make it ready for installation.
Observe the Gasket
It may not be easy for you to get the new gasket to be properly aligned the first time that you attempt this repair. It is therefore prudent for you to shut the lid and observe the gasket closely after you have installed it. Check for any gaps in its alignment with the top of the freezer's cabinet. Smooth out any kinks that may be preventing the gasket from forming a seal on the freezer.
Use Petroleum Jelly
Have you ever wondered why some freezer lid gaskets fail after a shorter time than similar gaskets that were installed on another freezer? One of the reasons for gasket longevity is lubrication. Smearing the new gasket with a light layer of petroleum jelly achieves two key objectives. First, that lid will open and close more easily. Secondly, the jelly will form a protective coating that will shield the gasket from premature wear. You should therefore have some petroleum jelly nearby as you install the new lid gasket on your freezer.
Remember that any repair that you attempt to perform on your freezer puts you at a high risk of being harmed by that electrical appliance. You should therefore make sure that you have the appropriate protective devices, such as rubber gloves as you conduct the repair. Alternatively, hire an electrician or a technician to help you if you don't have any experience in repairing that particular appliance.
Share11 July 2017
Hello, my name is Fred and this is my appliance blog. I will be completely honest with you - until last year, I didn't think twice about the appliances in my home. I would open the refrigerator and expect the light to illuminate a cold can of beer or I would switch on the microwave and expect it to burst into life. However, one day this did not happen. I opened the refrigerator and nothing happened. I reached into the darkness and pulled out a warm can of beer. I was horrified. Thankfully, my brother who is an appliance repair guy came around and explained how to fix the problem. He had since given me lots more advice about maintaining my appliances.