Our estimates show that a small 1/8-inch gap under an exterior door lets in as much outside air as a 2.5-inch hole punched through the wall. You wouldn’t accept a hole, so why ignore the door gap?
The Usual Suspects: Where Door Leaks Come From
You don’t need expensive and specialized equipment to diagnose a leaky door. On a cold or windy day, just hold your hand near the edges of an exterior door frame (the top, sides, and especially the bottom). If you feel airflow, then ring the alarms.
More important than detecting a leak is identifying the root cause and implementing the proper door repair. The usual suspects include, but are not limited to:
- Worn or Missing Weatherstripping: The foam or rubber seal running along the door's edges compresses and degrades over time. Once it loses its shape, it can no longer form an airtight seal.
- A Damaged or Poor-Fitting Threshold: The threshold is the strip at the base of the door that the door bottom presses against. If it's warped, cracked, or simply worn smooth, then expect cold air to move right underneath.
- Misaligned Door: Doors that stick, don't close fully, or have visible gaps in the frame are often structurally misaligned. No amount of weatherstripping will fix a door that doesn't close correctly.
- Compromised Materials: Wooden doors can warp with temperature and moisture changes, and older doors may lack the insulating cores that modern doors feature.
The handymen at Mr. Handyman come prepared to handle most of these issues the first time around. Plus, we’ve got a talented team of pros who can handle a wide range of repairs. Let’s get the job done.
Proper Door Repair Pays Off
Unlike window replacements or HVAC upgrades, addressing door issues typically requires modest materials and skilled labor… and the return on investment is immediate. Once air infiltration is stopped, your heating and cooling system doesn't have to run as long or as hard, and your monthly energy bills reflect that directly.
Beyond the financial benefit, a properly sealed home is simply a more comfortable one. Drafts near doorways make rooms feel colder than they actually are. A simple improvement by a trained handyman makes a real difference in your day-to-day life.
Hiring uniformed handymen won’t break the bank, either. In fact, Mr. Handyman offers transparent pricing and a 1-year workmanship guarantee so you can rest assured.
