Walk-In Coolers and Freezer Maintenance:Why You Should Be Checking Your Door Seals

Damaged door seals are one of our most common repairs on walk-in coolers and freezers. Luckily, the repair bill for this service is pretty reasonable but door gaskets with cracks, tears, gaps and leaks can cause more problems than you think! 

A good door seal keeps your cooler’s contents at a safe temperature, prevents mold growth and reduces energy consumption. 

Maintaining door seals increases the lifespan of your cooler, as a poor seal will make the unit work harder to regulate the temperature setting. Running a cooler with bad seals will ultimately cause internal parts to break down from excess use as the cooler must run continuously to account for the temperature fluctuations caused by the leaky seal. 

Three Signs Your Cooler’s Door Seals Aren’t Doing Their Job:

There are a few noticeable signs of a bad door seal to watch out for. This is one problem you can diagnose yourself before you call a professional for repair. 

1. Excess condensation. Removing humidity is part of the cooling process. A little condensation is normal but if you notice an increase in condensation, there is something wrong and there’s a good chance it’s the door gasket. Controlling condensation in walk-in coolers and freezers is necessary to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Excess condensation will also make it harder for your cooler to control the interior temperature, which means increased utility bills and reduced the lifespan of the unit if the problem is not addressed. 

2. Higher energy bills. Leaky seals allow warm air from outside the cooler to seep in and displace the cold air inside, which means you’re paying to cool a lot of air that you’re not using. If you see a spike in your utility bills, take a look at the door seals before giving us a call.

3. Frost on the door. Frost on the door is a telltale sign of a bad spot in the door gasket. If you see this, first clean the gasket and then test it to see if it seals. If not, you’re likely going to require a replacement. 

How To Check Cooler Door Seals

If you have a piece of computer paper, you can check the integrity of your cooler’s door seal yourself.

First, you’ll want to open the cooler door and look for visible cracks, tears and flat spots. Then, close the door over the piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out easily, the door gasket should be replaced. For this technique, you will have to use the paper to check the entire perimeter of the door. Testing door seals regularly lets you catch and address problem areas before you begin to see any negative effects. 

How To Clean Cooler Door Seals

Cleaning door seals is easy and it will help lengthen the life of the gasket.

Door seals can collect dirt and debris, which can reduce their effectiveness and make it easier to develop cracks and tears. All you need to do is wipe the seals down with warm, soapy water until clean. Be careful not to scrub too hard that you cause a tear in the gasket! A washcloth is all you need. Don’t use harsh brushes!

Door seals should be checked at least once per month and cleaned as needed. 

Austin, Texas Location

Tri-Point Refrigeration, Inc

118 Iron Road Suite 100,

Hutto, Texas 78634

(512) 651-4565

Lubbock, Texas Location

Tri-Point Refrigeration, Inc

13805 Avenue P Unit B

Lubbock, Texas 79423

(806) 686-0050