How to Fix a Refrigerator

It happened yesterday...you came home late night after working hard...didn't have the energy to cook food...looked out for food in the refrigerator...yes, cooked vegetables and a cup of milk...you took a plate...started having...just to realize something was weird...the taste was weird...you smelt and realized that the food was stale...but how is it possible?...it was cooked in the morning!...you just ignored...ordered pizza...ate and went off to sleep...next day...same story...what the hell?

...I guess if you have experienced this, then be ready to repair your refrigerator as soon as you can. Refrigerator, I guess, is one of the most essential kitchen appliances that we rely on, don't we? It is hard to believe that it can get screwed up, which happens mainly because of lack of maintenance, of course! Generally, the most common troubleshooting is related to the door seal. If the seal is not working properly, then the refrigerator temperature range gets disturbed, so you need to fix it on time.

Fixing a Refrigerator Seal

Fixing a refrigerator seal or the door gasket is not a big deal if you follow the steps given below. Although, you need to know how does a refrigerator work beforehand.

• Step #1: First of all unplug the refrigerator. Next, keep the door of the refrigerator open and check out the seal of the refrigerator. You need to be assured that the seal has been damaged. How to know? If the food isn't remaining cold and fresh for a longer span of time, then yes, you are going in the right directions.
• Step #2: Now that you know the problem, order a new door seal online or buy it from a kitchen appliance store. Be sure you buy the right size which fits in properly according to the refrigerator dimensions.
• Step #3: Next, try to locate the screws which have holding the door seal. Locate them and loosen them one by one. Once, many of them have been loosened, you would find it easy to remove the old refrigerator seal.
• Step #4: Next, take the new seal and fix it behind the plastic liner and do it from the corners. That would make it simpler for you. When the seal is somewhat in place, then start fixing the screws so that the seal remains firm and aligned.
• Step #5: Now to solve the problem of twisting of the rubber door seal, apply any powder (talcum will make do) on all the sides of the seal so that the rubber material does not stick to the metal surface of the refrigerator after closure. Close the door and see.
• Step #6: Next, is to assure whether the seal would work efficiently or not. For this, place an electric battery inside the refrigerator and close the door and see if any light is coming out. If you can't then, congrats, you have been successful in your mission. Otherwise, seal the gaps with the help of weather-stripping or rolled up paper. Alternatively, you can insert a screw driver temporarily inside the seal to tighten it. Also, see to it that you go for seals which have magnets inside them so that when they come in contact with the metal, they are tightly fixed onto it.

Depending on what problem the refrigerator gives you, here are some general tips that you can follow.

• One of the minor issues would be the light bulb inside the refrigerator. If the bulb is not switching on properly, then you need to change the bulb or otherwise need to replace the switch.
• Another thing is the thermostat. It is a necessity that the thermostat should work properly only after which the required temperature would be maintained. So, for checking the efficiency of the thermostat, keep it in the OFF position. Next, if you observe the compressor running, then the thermostat is at major fault and needs replacement.
• If the thermostat is absolutely working fine, then check for the working of the compressor. It should not run if the thermostat is working properly. But if it does, then call an expert since it would require replacement.
• Another minor problem would be with the working of the condenser fans. After prolonged use, the fan blades might get clogged and would not work efficiently. If you see such a thing, then clean the blades properly. Also, if you find these bent then fix them back to their original shape using pliers.
• Next major issue is with the leakage of the refrigerator which might be because of several reasons. Most commonly, there is leakage because of a damaged door seal which calls for a replacement. Next, the drain pan which is located at the lower back end of the refrigerator might have been damaged. You can fix this by cleaning the drain pan properly or you can replace it as well. See to it that you place it properly. Sometimes, the leakage could be due to faulty or a damaged ice maker. For this, you need to change the water tubing which might have got leaked.
• Now, the last of all would be to check the refrigerator compressor or the motor. For this however, you need to call an expert at home since its inspection and replacement requires skill.

There you are; done with fixing the refrigerator! But be assured that you clean the refrigerator properly and that the parts that have been replaced are in proper working condition! For this, go in for good brands that sell leakage proof seals and other materials, and follow the refrigerator repair tips as well.