My Hot Point dryer has a large groove around the inside door?

Question

Small, thin items, wash cloths, dryer sheets get stuck in this groove that goes all the way around the opening, then it's hard to pull out and covered with rusty stains.

It's a fairly new problem, but seems to be getting worse.

Is this something a technician can fix? My husband wants to tape it up, but I said no way. I think duct tape glue would get all over everything after it gets hot!

The dryer is only a few years old, is the groove likely expanding with age?

The seal probably wasn't there to begin with. It's sister, the washer, came without some kind of gasket thingie that made terrible noise and made the washer jump from the beginning. It was under warranty, so that was repaired within a week or so of purchase.

Thanks for all of the help, everyone.

Yes, I have removed all duct tape from the garage and placed it in a husband-proof area.

Answer 1

You dont have to guess. http://appliancequickfix.com/ will
tell you how simple it is to fix yourself, if you are just a little handy. You didnt give much information, but I suspect that is
is a Frigidaire style dryer. You can take a putty knife and pop
the top up and take a look and if it has a felt seal strip on it, it is only about 18 " long and just peels off and the new one just
glues on, in its place. To get at it, unplug the dryer and remove a screw on the inside on each side and unplug the door switch wires and let it fall forward enough to work on it.
Peel off the old strip and reglue the new one in place with the
special glue that comes with it and let it sit for an hour to dry
well and carefully put it back together. Good luck.

Answer 2

Uncle Johnny is close, the felt seal that should surround the door opening to the tub is most likely chewed up and gone, at least to the bottom of the dryer. Once you have the screws removed that hold the front of the unit in place, you will most likely have to completely remove the front in order to install a new seal. The glue used to hold these things on is quite good and most of it will probably still be on the area where the seal used to be. It would be nearly physically impossible to clean it all off and install a new seal with the front still attached to the bottom of the rest of the case. When the top part pops out from the main part of the case, take hold of both edges of the front panel and pull upwards with a little tug. That should release the catches on the bottom, then you can lay the front panel flat somewhere while you work on removing the old glue, before applying the new stuff. Fingernail polish remover sometimes works well.

Answer 3

Does sound like the rubber seal is gone. Does any one remember removing it?

You can maybe cal a used appliance place and see it they can replace it.

Now a days it can cost as much as a new appliance to fix it.

Please Take the duct tape from your husband. Keep it under lock and key. It should only be used by professionals. LOL
Tell him to watch > The Red Green Show. We have it here on PBS. Its all about duct tape and a riot.

Answer 4

There should be a seal around the door, and it sounds like the seal is gone. You are right (again), the tape is a BAD idea! Call an appliance parts store.