How to Seal Drafts from a Door
The smallest door draft can allow a lot of heat to escape. It's important to seal door drafts to conserve both heat and energy dollars. Weatherstripping for doors is simple to install and takes very little time. The type of door and how much use it gets can help determine the best weatherstripping products to choose to seal door drafts. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate the leak. As you hold a tissue by one corner, move it along the cracks in the door. If it flutters, you have an air leak. Confirm the problem by shining a flashlight from outside the house to the inside. If your partner on the inside can see light, you know where the door draft is.
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Remove any damaged weatherstripping. Pull out nails, staples or tacks that hold it in place. If it's the kind of weatherstripping that sticks on, use a putty knife to gently pull it up.
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Clean the old adhesive off the doorjamb with soap and water. Allow the doorjamb to dry completely before proceeding.
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Measure the length of the doorjamb. Cut weatherstripping to the right length. Peel the backing off of foam weatherstripping material to attach it to the doorjamb. If you are using a type of weatherstripping that you attach with tacks, position it and hammer in the tacks.
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Adjust the threshold to the door to help seal door drafts under the door. Raise it enough to ensure a good seal.
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Use a hacksaw to cut a door sweep to fit the bottom of the door. Attach a door sweep to the inside of the door. Use the screws that come with the sweep. Drilling pilot holes makes it easier to get the screws into the door. The sweep needs to meet the threshold along the bottom to be effective.
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Tips & Warnings
Use protective equipment, such as goggles and hearing protection, whenever you use any type of power tool.
References
- Photo Credit tuscan door image by Martin Sproul from Fotolia.com
