Close the gap between the door and the frame to keep out rain.
Your home's front door should keep out the elements, but sometimes the weatherstripping around it is poor, damaged or nonexistent. You might have as much as a 1/8-inch gap between the door and the frame and the door and threshold, allowing drafts and sometimes even rain to enter. Affixing weatherstripping to the door frame and replacing the rubber weatherstripping at the bottom of the door only takes a few minutes and you save in your heating and air conditioning costs. It will also protect your entryway from the effects of puddled water from rain. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Door Frame
1. Measure all sides of the door frame and record the measurements. Cut the spring-metal strips to size using the tin snips.
2. Wipe down the door frame with the cleanser and rags to create a clean surface for the adhesive to cling to.
3. Hold the strips in place on the door frame without removing the backing to ensure its fit. Hold the ends of two strips together where they will meet in the door frame corners so they fit snugly. Trim as needed.
4. Peel the adhesive backing from one of the spring-metal strips. Place it on the door frame so the flared edge nearly touches the doorstop. Press the strip into place and run your fingers up and down to eliminate puckers. Repeat with the other strips until all metal strips are in place.
5. Use the screwdriver to pry open the flared end of the spring-metal stripping. Open and close the door a few times to ensure that the stripping is firmly pressed against the closed door.
Door Bottom
6. Remove the front door by removing the hinge pins with a punch and hammer. Recruit some help in lifting the heavy door to your workstation. Set the door on a dropcloth where it can lean against something sturdy so you can have easy access to the bottom weatherstripping.
7. Pull out the old weatherstripping by prying one end out with a screwdriver. The rubber weatherstripping sets inside two grooves in the bottom of the door. Grasp the end and pull gently. Discard the worn weatherstripping.
8. Measure the new weatherstripping against the door, trimming it for the tighest fit. Press the rubber ribs into the grooves at the bottom of the door. Ensure the rounded end, or gasket, of the weatherstrip faces the outside. Apply pressure so that the ribs are forced into the grooves.
9. Use a rubber mallet to tap the ribs deeply into the grooves and so the weatherstrip is tightly in place. Tap all the way along the bottom of the door to ensure no sections are hanging down.
10. Rehang the door, with assistance, then test the door a few times by opening and closing it. When the door opens and closes smoothly and securely, the new weatherstrip will prevent any water from entering the home.
Tags: door frame, bottom door, into grooves, between door, between door frame, door frame