In short
We replace the weatherstrip on your door jambs and add or replace the sweep at the bottom, so drafts, dust and bugs stay out. We match the type to your door and check it still latches without a shove.
Your photo checklist
- The door from inside, lights off, showing gaps
- The bottom edge
- The jamb weatherstrip
- The old sweep, if one is still on the door
- The threshold under the door, from outside
Covered on a Rosemead visit
- Kerf-in foam and bulb weatherstripping replaced on exterior door frames
- Door sweeps and door bottoms added or replaced
- Threshold caps and adjustable thresholds set to meet the door
- Garage-to-house doors sealed against dust and fumes
- Strikes and hinges adjusted so the door presses evenly on the new seal
- Window sash and slider seals where replacement strips are available
Outside what we take on
- Cutting new openings for doors or windows.
- Glass replacement; a glass shop handles panes and sealed units.
- Garage door openers, springs and tracks.
Why sealing pays in a Rosemead summer
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide calls air leaks “among the greatest sources of energy loss in a home” and says that by sealing them “you can save 10%–20% on your heating and cooling bills.” In a valley summer that mostly means air conditioning, and an exterior door with a gap underneath is one of the easiest leaks to close.
Doors in houses from around the city’s median build year of 1959 have often been painted many times, which can glue the old strip in place or build up the jamb so a new door no longer closes evenly. We clean the stop, fit the right profile for the gap, and adjust the strike so the door is easy to latch with the new seal in place.
How a door gets sealed
Find where the air gets through
We close the door and look for light at the head, latch side, hinge side and bottom. A strip of paper closed in the door at several spots tells us where the seal is touching and where it is not.
Match the profile
Exterior doors use several kinds of strip: kerf-in foam, bulb, V-strip or a magnetic seal on steel doors. We pull a sample of the old strip and fit the same style in a size that fills the gap without making the door hard to close.
Close the bottom
The gap at the threshold is usually the biggest. An adjustable threshold can be raised to meet the door, and a sweep or door bottom closes what remains. We finish by adjusting the strike so the door latches with a light push.
Where our work stops
We seal and adjust doors and windows you already have. Replacing a door or window, rebuilding a rotted sill or jamb, or blown-in insulation goes to a door, window or insulation contractor.
While we’re out for this, Rosemead customers often add door threshold replacement, storm door installation, interior door repair, sliding glass door repair, window screen repair, lock and smart lock installation or door leak repair.
What to text
A photo of the door closed from the inside showing any light around it, a close-up of the bottom, and whether it is a front, back, patio or garage door.
Weatherstripping questions
How often should weatherstripping be replaced?
When it's flattened or cracked, often every few years.
How much does it cost to fix weatherstripping?
Depends on door count. Send photos.
How can I tell if my door needs weatherstripping?
Look for daylight around the closed door, or feel for drafts near the edges.
Do door sweeps work on uneven floors?
Yes, flexible ones do. A sweep with a flexible fin or brush conforms better to uneven thresholds.
Does weatherstripping help with dust and bugs too?
Yes. The same gaps that let cool air out let dust, ants and spiders in. A sealed door bottom and a full perimeter seal close most of those paths.
How do I know my weatherstripping is worn?
Light around the closed door, a draft you can feel with a hand, rattling in the wind, or a seal that is flattened, cracked or missing in spots. The DOE guide also suggests holding a lit incense stick near the frame on a windy day: if the smoke drifts sideways, air is leaking.
Will a new sweep make the door hard to close?
It should not if it is fitted right. We set the sweep so it brushes the threshold, and adjust the threshold or strike if the door starts to bind.
Can you seal the door from the garage?
Yes. Garage entry doors often have no sweep at all. Sealing them keeps out dust and car exhaust as well as heat.
What about my windows?
Many sliding windows use pile strips that can be replaced if the profile is still made. We bring samples to match.
How do you replace a door sweep?
We unscrew or slide off the old sweep, cut the new one to the door width, set it so it lightly touches the threshold, and screw it on.
What weather stripping seal is best for a door?
Kerf-in foam or silicone bulb strips last longest on wood and steel doors with a slot. Adhesive foam is easier but wears faster.
Jobs that pair with this one
- Door threshold replacementThresholds.
- Door leak repairLeaks.
- Window caulkingDrafts.
- Interior door repairDoors.
Related guide: Weatherstripping and door sweeps tips from our guide to weatherstripping exterior doors.
Nearby: weatherstripping and door sweeps in Alhambra, and weatherstripping and door sweeps in San Gabriel for homes on the San Gabriel side.
Door tips for Rosemead homes
- Sealing drafty exterior doorsLight, dust or drafts around your front door? How to check weather stripping, sweeps and thresholds on Rosemead homes. Text a photo for a free estimate.
- Simple fixes that help the house handle summer heatRoutine repairs and upgrades that help a Rosemead ranch home stay cooler in summer, from ceiling fans and door seals to window coverings and bath fans.
Jobs like this one are everyday work for our Rosemead handyman service, from the blocks off Garvey Avenue to the streets near Rosemead Park. A photo by text gets you a quote first.
Part of door and cabinet repair. You can also browse all our services or read about repairs in postwar Rosemead homes.