How to Stop The Draft in Your Front Door

Doorsweeps wear out and let cold drafts in through the bottom of the door. Sealing these up can really make a difference in your utility bill and your comfort level. Heres some advice to do the job properly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drill
• Screwdrivers
• Hacksaw
• Doorsweep
• Screws

1. Remove the screws from the old weatherstrip. Open the door and grab the old door sweep with both hands and pull it off the bottom of the door. If its been there for a long time, it may be hard to remove. Be patient, rock it back and forth and loosen it until it comes off easily

2. 
   New Door Sweep

   Make sure you buy a new door seep that's a bit longer than your old one. Lay the new door sweep down in front of the old to make sure you have a door sweep that's going to fit.

3. 
   Using wood to stop doorsweep edges from cracking

   Hold the old door sweep over the new door sweep and mark the new to show where you need to cut it. When you cut the new sweep, it does not matter if you use a power saw or a hacksaw, but use a piece of lumber pushed inside the sweep to stop the edges from cracking. The old doorsweep will also have notches cut out. You will also have to cut these same notches in the new sweep. Use wire cutters to do this or a sharp utility knife.

4. Most new doorsweeps come with screws provided by the lowest bidder. They break easily and can rust. Take the screws to the local hardware store and buy new stainless steel screws to match. These will not break as easily and will not rust. This is very important if you have to use screws on the outside of the door.

5. 
   Adjusting Doorsweep

   Slide you new door sweep in place and screw it on. The new door sweep will likely have slots already punched in it for screws. If you have a drill with a screwdriver attachment, you can push on the bottom of the sweep with one hand while drilling in the new self tapping screw with the other hand. This makes sure the sweep is high enough for the door to close properly.

Resources

• Additional information and pictures

[lilmissrooroo]

on 12/8/2008 great tips thanks

[Dino1353]

on 12/7/2008 I have the same draft and am going to install the door sweep.

[vikki9]

on 12/6/2008 This is great to know. Thank you.

[2besure]

on 12/6/2008 Thanks for the tips! I have a cold draft coming from by bedroom closet. I swear it's a vortex to another dimension!

[nancysoffice]

on 12/6/2008 Great info, that reminds I have to add one to the back door and replace the one to the front door. Thanks.