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beemerphile1's avatar
beemerphile1
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018

Refrigerator roof vent screen replacement

Doing some maintenance and discovered the screen in the refrigerator roof vent is crumbling in my 2006. The original screen appears to be aluminum and time has taken its toll.

The original screen was molded into the plastic of the vent and an easy fix isn't obvious to me. The plastic part is glued and screwed to the roof so replacement isn't desirable.

Have any ideas?

I need screen and a means of attaching it. The original mesh was substantially larger than window screening but small enough to keep mud daubers and the like out.

Edit:
I see there is a replacement screen for Norcold vents, unfortunately mine is Dometic.
  • Maybe something like this..... Galvanized Steel Hardware Cloth
    Home Depot $10.00


    Everbilt
    1/4 in. x 2 ft. x 5 ft. 23-Gauge Galvanized Steel Hardware Cloth
  • A smaller mesh would be better for keeping out smaller bugs. A small piece of aluminum window screen could easily be folded to make a "cap" that the vent cover will hold in place.
  • You can buy the entire roof base with screen for about $12.00. They are so easy to replace. It also gives you a chance to remove the base, inspect the roof at the vent (common area for leaks) and replace all the sealing material and screws with new. And for about $20 more, you might as well also replace the entire roof vent cover with brand new if it;s starting to show signs of wear and tear.

    Here is the base:
    Refrigerator Vent Base
  • buy a new screen base and get it over with. they really are cheap and easy to replace, buy some sealant while you at it and do the job right
  • Had that issue on my old, sold unit. I replaced mine with good old aluminum screening from the hardware store and pop riveted it to the plastic frame and applied some RTV to the edges. I know RTV is a no on campers but it's the vent, not a seal area.

    To replace the vent etails getting the old sealant off the roof and se-sealing the new vent.