Choosing the Right Dishwasher Gaskets: Watertight and Worry-Free

Katie Schupp • December 20, 2024

A leaking dishwasher can be incredibly frustrating and problematic for its owners, with the potential for damage to the machine itself and widespread water damage in the kitchen. For manufacturers, this makes utilizing high-quality dishwasher rubber seals and high-quality silicone gaskets for dishwashers essential for providing reliable performance without risking costly leaks for customers.


Types of Dishwasher Seals


Dishwashers actually utilize multiple types of seals to prevent leaks. The door seal and gasket is the most noticeable to users, as this creates a watertight seal between the dishwasher’s door and the tub. The tub gasket also plays a vital role in preventing leaks between the dishwasher tub and the surrounding countertop and cabinets. Finally, pump seals, hose seals, and spray arm seals help ensure the proper performance of these components by preventing vibrations and leaks.


Materials and Durability


Silicone and rubber are the most commonly used materials for dishwasher seals. These seals are exposed to heat, moisture, detergents, and food particles, which can accelerate wear and tear. Generally speaking, silicone offers better resistance to extreme temperatures, as well as oils, fats, and grease. However, rubber is more tear-resistant. As such, consider the dishwasher’s temperature settings and intended usage environment as part of your materials selection.


Signs of a Failing Dishwasher Seal


Even with the right materials and design, a dishwasher seal can fail over time. The most obvious sign of a failing seal is a leak – water pooling beneath the dishwasher. Mold growth, musty odors, or decreased cleaning performance could also indicate that a seal is deteriorating. Using high-quality materials and the right design will optimize the performance and longevity of dishwasher seals and gaskets.



High-quality water-resistant seals and gaskets are essential for preventing leaks and ensuring optimal performance in dishwashers. By emphasizing these elements during the design and manufacturing process, you can deliver quality outcomes to your customers. Contact Elbex today to learn more about how we can help produce dishwasher rubber seals and gaskets that meet your manufacturing needs.

By David Garman November 14, 2025
Filling voids with reliable seals is a constant challenge in industrial environments. Without the right fit, seals won’t perform their job right, resulting in poor performance and even the contamination of sensitive environments. This is where Elbex’s ribbed rubber profiles come in. Our custom ribbed sealing profiles offer superior compression and sealing power by being tailored to your specific application needs. Here’s how our custom ribbed rubber profiles can make a difference for you. The Function and Superiority of Ribbed Sealing Profiles Ribbed sealing profiles play a vital role in manufacturing and industrial applications by filling voids or gaps between two surfaces to create an effective seal. However, ribbed rubber profiles take things even further, as their “ribs” significantly increase the profile’s ability to compress and fill irregularities. This results in a tighter and more durable seal than what you would find with a smooth profile, which also makes ribbed profiles far more versatile. Custom Design is Our Standard for Industrial Applications We are proud of our ability to deliver custom-manufactured ribbed sealing profiles that meet your exact requirements. We can work with you directly to develop the perfect custom ribbed rubber profile, as our extensive capabilities allow us to meet almost any design. Aside from the design itself, we use top-quality materials to help our seal products withstand harsh environments, including direct sunlight and chemical exposure, so the finished profile will deliver lasting performance. Leveraging Elbex's Comprehensive Engineering Expertise At Elbex, we are committed to delivering dependable support throughout the design and engineering processes. Our in-house tool and die design capabilities allow us to create custom ribbed rubber profiles in a way that meets your budget and timeline needs. Our design assistance can help troubleshoot issues with your existing seals, and we can also provide guidance on materials selection and technical resources to help fine-tune your design. We aim to be a true partner in these processes. Diverse Applications in Manufacturing and Beyond Ribbed sealing profiles can be used for a wide range of manufacturing systems, including pipe ramps, expansion joints, glazing system profiles, and other applications that require sealing and structural support. And with value-added services like cutting, splicing, printing, and taping you can count on Elbex to provide a fully finished and ready-to-use ribbed rubber profile. With our custom ribbed rubber profiles, you can expect superior performance manufactured to your unique application. Contact us today to request a quote or to learn more about our ribbed sealing profiles.
By David Garman October 31, 2025
Choosing rubber materials can make all the difference for the performance and longevity of your rubber extrusions. The wrong choice can lead to compromised performance and even product failure or costly redesigns – so it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by this decision. Fortunately, with Elbex’s data-driven material selection criteria for specific rubber extrusion applications, you don’t have to leave this chance. Here’s how we help you pick the right materials, every time. The Guiding Questions: Elbex's Strategic Selection Process Choosing the right materials largely comes down to asking in-depth questions to understand the application and its operating environment. Our engineers ask critical questions like: What will the part’s primary function be? What are the application’s temperature requirements (both high and low)? Will the part be exposed to specific chemicals or fluids? Will the part be located indoors or outdoors (UV, ozone, weather exposure)? Does the part need to meet any regulatory requirements, such as food-grade, fire-retardant? What is the target cost per part?  The answers to these questions allow us to select the right compound for each extrusion, ensuring optimal performance while still fitting within your budget. A Closer Look: Key Elastomer Properties & Their Applications When selecting rubber materials for different applications, we look at their distinct characteristics. For example, durometer (or hardness) directly impacts a material’s sealing and abrasion. You generally want a softer material for better sealing, but harder for durability. Here’s how some of the most common elastomers compare: Silicone rubber: Silicone rubber properties include solid performance in both extremely hot and very cold temperatures, excellent flexibility, and strong UV/weathering resistance. Silicone is often used in high-heat applications, as well as the medical and food industries. EPDM rubber: Common EPDM rubber applications include outdoor seals, gaskets, and weatherstripping. This material’s resistance to water, ozone, sunlight, and weathering make it great for outdoor use. Neoprene rubber: Neoprene rubber applications can be quite varied thanks to its resistance to oil, heat, and flame. This versatile, all-purpose material is often a good fit for industrial and automotive applications. Nitrile rubber: Like neoprene, nitrile rubber applications often include the automotive and manufacturing industries thanks to its excellent resistance to oils, fuels, and many chemicals. The Elbex Advantage: Expertise at Your Service Choosing rubber materials is a critical step in any project. With Elbex on your side as a true collaborative partner, you get the unparalleled expertise and guidance you need to make the right choice, every time. Our goal is to empower you with useful information and help you find value-driven solutions that balance your cost and performance needs. With our material selection criteria for specific rubber extrusion applications, you can have confidence that the final product will meet every performance, cost, and environmental need you have. Contact us today to get started!
By David Garman October 24, 2025
Modern architecture needs to deliver both aesthetic appeal and long-term building performance. This requires components that help buildings withstand harsh exterior conditions while maintaining their structural integrity. With Elbex, you get an expert partner who can produce a wide range of custom rubber profiles for architecture. Here’s how we can help. The Unseen Heroes: Functions of Architectural Rubber Architectural rubber extrusions play a variety of essential roles in modern buildings. They fill voids and seal surfaces to keep out air, water, and sound for energy efficiency and occupant comfort. UV-resistant rubber profiles for facades ensure a proper fit between different building materials. Many glazing systems and seals reduce vibration and prevent noise. All of these solutions work together to improve building durability and performance. A Crucial Differentiator: UV and Ozone Resistance UV and ozone resistant rubber extrusions for exterior architectural applications are especially important for building projects. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet rays and ozone can cause standard rubber to crack, become brittle, and lose its sealing properties. UV and ozone resistant profiles use carefully formulated material mixtures to prevent these issues and better protect the building's aesthetic and functional performance. A Portfolio of Precision-Engineered Solutions At Elbex, we produce a wide portfolio of rubber extrusions specifically formulated for architectural needs. Glazing systems set glass, provide environmental barriers and reduce vibration. Gaskets and seals protect against water, air, and sound. Bulb seals provide maximum sealing power for doors, windows, and hatches, while D-sections fill voids to provide sealing, vibration, and noise control. Setting blocks minimize uneven surfaces and provide support by positioning and seating materials. We also produce silicone sheeting, which can be used in a wide range of architectural projects. The Elbex Partnership: Advantages Beyond the Product At Elbex, our engineers work directly with your architects and building engineers to find the perfect solution for your project. This enables us to deliver architectural rubber extrusions that meet your exact specifications, while also meeting all regulatory standards and building codes to ensure lasting structural integrity. With our expertise, commitment to quality, and value-added services like vulcanized splicing, cutting, printing, and taping, you can count on us to help you get the job done. Contact us today to learn more about how our custom solutions will enable your buildings to stand the test of time.