rubber gaskets are everywhere and you don’t even realize it. In fact, several common household appliances actually use them. Here are four common items you will often find rubber gaskets in:
- Toilets
- Sink drains
- Washing machines
- Refrigerators
Changing the rubber gaskets on your refrigerator is one of the easiest ways to start saving money on your electric bill. If your refrigerator is more than a few years old, it may be time to change the rubber gaskets. Here are some step by step instructions:
1. Look for the make and model of the refrigerator inside the edge of the door. This will help you identify what kind of rubber gaskets you need to buy.
2. When you’re ready to switch out the old for the new, pull the flange part of the gasket away so that you can see the metal gasket holder underneath. Loosen the screws so that you can pull the old rubber gasket off.
3. Starting at one of the corners, carefully pull the old gasket off.
4. Once the old rubber gasket is off, start at one corner and begin inserting the new gasket underneath the metal part. It will be easy to tell which way the rubber gaskets should be inserted because they only fit one way.
5. Once the gasket has been inserted under the metal piece, check the alignment of the door and the rest of the refrigerator to make sure that they are aligned properly. In some cases, too much wear on the rubber gaskets is caused by doors that are not aligned with the rest of the refrigerator properly.
6. After you are certain that everything is positioned properly, it is time to tighten up the screws on the new rubber gasket.
You may also find it necessary to use petroleum jelly to lubricate the hinge of the refrigerator door near where the gasket touches it. This will cut down on the friction and should make the gasket last longer.
Since rubber gaskets are a major part of so many common household units, it is very important that you know how to change them. The process is fairly simple and somewhat similar for all types of rubber gaskets. Blaylock Gasket provides rubber gaskets and all other types of gaskets for every possible need. They also provide mechanical packing, custom fabrication, and more.