A rubber door seal has been used to protect objects of all shapes and sizes from harmful outside elements that may damage them in the long run. They have been used in a lot of items — anywhere from storage compartments to boat hatches, sun roofs to exterior doors, cabinets, skylights, car doors, campers – the applications are endless. They keep dust out of machines’ internal mechanisms, stabilize temperatures and provide a water or air tight sealant.

A rubber door seal comes in a variety of specially designed forms to fit any usage and application. They are usually made up of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) sponge rubber compounds, with an adhesive for easy attachment. This adhesive comes in two forms: the HT or Standard Pressure Sensitive Adhesive; and the BT or 3M Bonded Tape System. The former is an acrylic based adhesive that is recommended for use in stationary objects or those which are seldom moved about. The latter is more ideal when one wishes to create a tight moisture and air barrier. It is, however, trickier to use and requires a longer standby time to harden and fully bond to the surface.

One of the most popular uses of a rubber door seal is to insulate cars from very high temperatures and weather changes (i.e. rain water from pouring into the interiors, etc.) It also serves as a cushion between the car door and automobile body. Metal banging is never a good sound. The rubber seal prevents this from happening. On a refrigerator, this rubber seal also serves an important function by keeping cold air in the unit, thereby reducing the amount of electrical energy used to keep food inside cool. On front-loading washing machines, these seals keep water inside the units and prevent them from leaking out. It also serves the same function as when placed inside a shower door.

A rubber door seal should always be inspected regularly for any signs of leaks of faulty functioning. A leaking seal usually needs only a simple adjustment and good cleaning. However, in some cases, a replacement may also be in order. Attaching a new seal on an appliance is not a daunting task. Simply remove the old rubber seal by removing the adhesive or other implement used to keep the seal installed on the device. Clean the appliance’s surface with a soft clean cloth and warm, soapy water. Try to remove as much dirt as possible and wipe dry. Allow to completely air dry before attempting to install the new rubber seal.

Attach the rubber seal by slowly pealing off the adhesives and turning all the screws and clips on tight. In cases wherein the seal is longer than needed, most manufacturers have developed their products allowing users to trim down the rubber seal to the required length. Just be sure to carefully read the package instructions on how to go about this. After installing, wipe dry with a clean cloth. Rubber door seals are necessary and important parts in a lot of our everyday appliances and machines. Ensuring that these seals are always kept in good working order is detrimental to a device’s proper and efficient functioning.

Author Bio: William I. Neil is an architect, providing home improvement information and business directory listing about rubber door seal also categories, e.g. door gaskets

Category: Home Management
Keywords: rubber door seal, door seal, door sealing, door, doors, home improvement, home