6 Signs to Watch For

1. It’s Warm Inside
If you notice the temperature inside your fridge feels warmer than usual—especially when you reach for perishable items like milk—it could be a sign of a seal issue. A damaged seal allows warm air to enter, making it harder for the fridge to maintain the correct temperature.

2. Produce Spoils Too Quickly
When your fruits, vegetables, or other perishable items go bad before their expiration date, it may be a result of a fridge that isn’t cooling properly due to a faulty seal. This can pose food safety risks, so it’s important to address it quickly.

3. Your Energy Bills Are Higher
If your electricity bill has been climbing without any clear reason, a damaged fridge seal could be to blame. A leaky seal forces your fridge to work harder, as the thermostat keeps triggering the compressor to compensate for the warm air entering.

4. The Seal is Damp
If you notice moisture or condensation forming on the fridge seal, it’s likely due to warm air leaking in. Over time, this can lead to mold growth and further damage to the seal.

5. Your Frost-Free Fridge is Ice-Building
A common sign of a failing seal in a frost-free fridge is an excessive build-up of ice on the evaporator coil. While the defrost heater may try to clear it, it won’t be able to manage the excess ice caused by humid air entering from a broken seal.

6. Puddles on the Floor
Water pooling around your fridge—whether from condensation or melting ice—can indicate that warm air is getting in, raising the internal temperature. This often happens when the seal is compromised.