What Is a Door Sweep?
The strip along the door's bottom edge that closes the gap over the threshold.
The strip of rubber or bristle attached along the bottom inside face of an exterior door to close the gap above the threshold. Screw-on aluminum sweeps with slotted height adjustment outlast stick-on ones, and the blade should just touch the threshold. A dragging sweep tears itself off within a month.
Fixes that use this
Outdoors & Seasonal
How to Clean Gutters Without Falling Off the Ladder
Clogged gutters dump water at your foundation. Here is the safe ladder setup, the scoop-and-flush method, and the downspout test most people skip.
Time2–4 hrs Cost$0–$60 moderate
Walls, Doors & Floors
How to Fix a Sticking Door (Tighten the Hinges First)
Most sticking doors are sagging, not swollen. One long screw in the top hinge pulls the door back square, and it costs about fifty cents to try.
Time20–60 min Cost$0–$15 easy
Outdoors & Seasonal
Fix a Drafty Door in an Hour (Weatherstripping That Lasts)
That draft under the front door costs real heating and AC money. Find the gaps with a flashlight, then seal them with $15 of weatherstripping and a sweep.
Time45–60 min Cost$10–$25 easy
Outdoors & Seasonal
How to Replace a Worn Door Sweep Before Winter
If cold air comes in under the door, the sweep is probably torn or missing. Replace it in 20 minutes for $8–$15 and stop the floor-level draft.
Time20 min Cost$8–$15 easy
Outdoors & Seasonal
Seal Drafty Windows Before the First Cold Snap
Find the leak with a smoking incense stick, then match the fix to the gap. And never caulk the weep holes at the bottom of a vinyl window frame.
Time30 min–2 hrs Cost$10–$45 easy
Pests
How to Stop Ants in the Kitchen
Kitchen ants follow food, water, and scent trails. Clean the trail, seal the entry point, and use bait so the colony carries it home for good.
Time20–30 min Cost$3–$12 easy