In short: follow the profile instructions, clean the retainer and seat the gasket evenly without stretching it.
Photograph the old corners before removal. For a push-fit profile, remove it gently, clean and dry the channel, then press the new foot fully into place. Handle corners as specified and do not guess the cut or joining method.
Do not use unapproved glue or lubricant. If fitting requires door dismantling, welding, bonding or heavy-leaf adjustment, use qualified service.
Tools and materials
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Bucket of warm water | Softens the new gasket; cleans the channel |
| Soft cloth | Cleaning |
| Utility knife | Trimming a continuous strip to length |
| Measuring tape | Confirming length before cutting |
| Screwdriver | Only if the gasket is screw-retained |
| Food-grade silicone lubricant (optional) | Eases fitting; keeps freezer gaskets supple |
Avoid petroleum greases and solvents — they swell and degrade the elastomer.
Replacement procedure
- Warm the new gasket. Soak it in warm water for 10–15 minutes. A warm gasket is far more flexible and seats into the channel without fighting you. Do not use hot water, which can deform the lip.
- Remove the old gasket. Start at one corner. Unscrew any retaining screws first; for push-fit gaskets, pull the lip firmly out of the retaining channel and work along each side.
- Clean the channel. Wipe out all dirt, debris, and any old sealant with the warm damp cloth. A clean channel is essential — trapped grit holds the new gasket proud and breaks the seal.
- Position the new gasket. Start at the top centre. Press the gasket lip firmly into the channel so it seats fully.
- Work around the perimeter. Continue down both sides and across the bottom, checking the lip is fully home at every point. A second pass pressing along the whole length catches any partially seated sections.
- Handle corners carefully. Do not stretch the gasket around a corner — a stretched corner thins and pulls back over the following weeks, opening a leak. Leave slight excess and ease it into the corner.
- Refit screws (if applicable). Replace retaining screws snug but not over-tight — crushing the gasket distorts the seal face.
- Test the seal. Close the door and run the paper-note test at multiple points around the perimeter.
- Adjust the hinges if needed. If the gasket compresses unevenly — tight on one side, loose on the other — the door is out of alignment. Adjust the hinges before assuming the gasket is at fault (see Door problems).
Related articles
- When to replace the door gasket
- How to order the correct gasket
- After fitting a new gasket
- Door problems & troubleshooting
- Cleaning procedures
Replacement gaskets are matched to your MTH Algor door profile and supplied cut-to-length or as pre-formed frames. Questions? Contact [email protected].
