A commercial refrigerator may be one of the most valuable assets to a business and they are considered to be a long-term investment. To get the most value from your investment, it needs to be maintained and evaluated periodically. When do you think it’s time to replace your door gasket? Let’s dive into what you’ll need to replace your commercial refrigerator gasket, the step-by-step process of when you shouldn’t replace a door gasket, and the benefits of replacing gaskets for the prolonged life of your commercial refrigerator door.

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Supplies You'll Need

You’ve discovered that your commercial refrigeration door gasket needs to be replaced. Here are the supplies you’ll need to get started:

  • Warm water and mild detergent to clean off any excess water or fluids in the groove, which will ensure the new gasket will remain completely dry before installation.
  • Soft cloths to wipe off any excess fluids and clean the new gasket.
  • The new door gasket, of course. If you haven’t ordered one already, click here to view our available stock gaskets.
  • A heat gun or hair dryer to heat up the new refrigerator gasket to ensure an easier, more flexible installation.
  • A flat-head screwdriver can be used to pry out the gasket if necessary. You can also use the screwdriver to carefully clean out the mounting channel of the retainer strip on the door after removing the gasket.

 

Why Should I Replace My Refrigeration Gasket?

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When commercial refrigeration gaskets aren’t working properly, a domino effect can occur. First, a refrigeration unit may have to work three times as hard to maintain its correct temperature. When a commercial refrigerator uses more energy to maintain the same temperature, it can lead to much higher energy bills along with wear and tear on the equipment. Other issues that can come to light are spoilage/loss of products, condensation that leads to leaking, higher maintenance costs, or a commercial refrigeration unit that breaks down completely.

 

Installing a Gasket: Step-By-Step

Here are the steps you need to take for a successful replacement and installation:

  1. If you have the time and space to do it, soften the new door gasket. Soak it in hot water for about 10 minutes to make the installation easier. Once time’s up, dry it with a towel to continue. 
  2. Remove the old gasket. Pull the old gasket from the door grooves. Note that some door models may require you to remove the handle to safely remove the gasket.
  3. Clean the grooves. Use warm water, mild detergent solution, and a soft cloth to clean the grooves and remove any built-up dirt or grime. 
  4. Locate the gasket dart. Find the dart shape bump on the back of the gasket, which shows which way to insert the new gasket into the door’s groove. The dart on the door gasket should go into the groove of the door to install properly.
  5. Insert the gasket at the top. Firmly press the gasket dart into the grooves at the top corners of the door first. Press down and make sure the gasket remains in place. 
  6. Insert the gasket at the bottom. Firmly press the gasket dart into the grooves at the bottom corners of the door. Press down and make sure the gasket remains in place.
  7. Insert the gasket into the sides. Carefully insert the gasket dart into the sides and any remaining grooves around the door. Start at the middle of each side and work your way toward the respective corner. Firmly press down on the gasket to make sure every inch has been pressed into the groove.
  8. Check and verify your installation. Check every corner and side of the door to make sure the gasket was properly installed. Close the refrigerator door and ensure it seals properly before use. Some gasket profiles need time to “relax” and will seal completely within a few hours. Once mounted, you can use a heat gun to speed up the process.

 

Benefits of Replacing Your Refrigerator Gaskets

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Replacing your door gasket will help ensure the commercial refrigerator will maintain the correct interior temperature and prevent future malfunctions. It will not only help maintain lower energy costs and safely store perishable food products, but it will also help sustain the lifespan of the refrigeration unit. When you maintain the life of a high-value investment, it can boost the reputation of your business with both customers and product suppliers.

 

Replacing Your Gasket in Cold Weather?

Unfortunately, the weather is one thing we won’t be able to control. However, drastic drops in temperature can affect your installation efforts when replacing your commercial refrigerator gasket. Not to worry, we have a few tips and tricks that will help when installing door refrigeration gaskets in cold weather.

READ MORE

 

Order Your Gasket Supply Easily at Breakaway Enterprises

Breakaway Enterprises has helped customers find the right commercial gaskets they could not find before since 2006. Are you looking for a custom-made gasket for your commercial refrigeration unit? Click here to get started!  

Do you have questions about a particular gasket? Feel free to contact us at 888-824-1160 or email us at info@breakawayent.com to find your next commercial refrigerator gasket today.

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