Red oak or other hardwoods used to make wooden thresholds are susceptible to dampness, which can cause the threshold to decay over time. Dust, junk, and water intrusion find their way under the door threshold installation; concrete won’t degrade, yet you can still have gaps, which will affect your energy costs, and how clean your floors can remain.
Because concrete doesn’t deteriorate like ordinary subfloors, thresholds put on it are pretty simple to replace. This indicates that the task is restricted to the threshold unit. Numerous home improvement stores and door suppliers offer thresholds made of hardwood and aluminum. Mostly, replacing a rotten threshold is a quick process.
In our guide, you can learn more about sealing exterior door thresholds and how to fix your bottom-of-the-door problem and prevent moisture from seeping inside. Whether you have an exterior door threshold concrete slab or another floor, you’ll be able to use the same techniques to finish sealing a door threshold. (Learn How To Remove Cast Iron Pipe From Hub)
Fix Existing Threshold on Exterior Doors?
You can install a weatherproof rubber seal or apply a liquid seal around an existing threshold to adequately seal your door to concrete. Both procedures use similar steps.
- Inspect the threshold location
- Select a suitable seal for the threshold
- Fill in cracks and gaps.
- Verify that the current threshold is secure.
- Clean the threshold region.
- Apply a rubber seal or liquid waterproof seal.
- Allow sealant or glue to completely dry.
- Enjoy your new threshold.
Although sealing your door threshold might seem complicated, we’ll walk you through the steps and go over various sealing techniques.
Continue reading to learn why sealing your old threshold could be necessary and how to weatherproof your garage doorway or front door and doorframe.
1. Examine Your Current Threshold
You should carefully evaluate the area where you will apply the seal before deciding how to seal the door threshold. Decide what material to use after measuring the area that needs sealing.
You can also look for gaps and cracks to see if you need to fill them first. Lastly, if a threshold already exists, ensure it is secure and in excellent shape. It should endure for the duration of your seal.
2. Choose a Suitable Seal For The Threshold
Depending on the purpose and size of the space you are sealing at the bottom of your door frame, you might use a few seals.
If it’s a tight fit, you can use a waterproof sealant like concrete and mortar filler that doubles as a sealant to seal around the inside edge of your door threshold with a metal or wooden plate.
3. Repairing Gaps And Cracks
Before applying the sealant, make the required repairs after checking the inside edge area for gaps and cracks and selecting your supplies. With building putty or liquid cement, fill in any holes and cracks and let them cure. Then, to make the area smooth, sand or grind it.
4. Ensure the Existing Threshold is Securely Fastened
If there is an existing threshold, be sure it is secure before you apply or install your seal. The seal or caulk will lift and degrade because of a loose threshold, causing a repeat repair later on.
Replace the screws holding the threshold to the concrete or use an adhesive.
5. How To Secure A Door Threshold To Concrete?
- Measure and cut the threshold where the marks are with a hacksaw.
- Place the threshold, so the inside edge is up against the carpet or floor edge at the opening.
- Use a carbide drill bit to drill 1 1/2 inch deep holes in the concrete for the anchors using the manufacturer’s screw holes as a guide.
6. Clean Your New Threshold
Clean up any debris in the area after repairs have been done and the threshold has been secured. Your seal could become weak and useless due to loose particles. (Read Does Spray Paint Dry Faster In Heat Or Cold)
7. Apply Liquid Weatherproof Or Rubber Seal
Apply your seal once the area has been cleaned and dried. If working with an existing threshold, apply in a single, fluid motion down the concrete and threshold’s underside.
Make sure the applicator tip stays inside the opening and use the threshold’s edge as a reference to maintain a straight line. Remove any excess sealant quickly, or it will be a challenge to remove.
FAQs
How to seal a concrete sleeper?
Here is a quick way to see if your new threshold is correctly installed on the edge of your concrete slab and the edge of your wooden floor. Apply a sealant such as DAP Alex Plus on the panel edge to prevent water from running beneath the sill. Add putty to the rest of the bottom of the threshold and place it on the plate.
Replace Rotted Wood Threshold
1: Take the screws out.
Fully open the external door. A big flat-tip screwdriver is needed to remove the screws from the old threshold.
2: Remove the Threshold
A wood chisel’s point should be inserted between the threshold and concrete joint. You may need to tap the chisel with a hammer to remove your threshold from the concrete. (Read Wood Flooring Removal Guide)
3: Use a putty knife to remove sealant
Use the hammer to drive any elevated concrete anchors flush with the concrete’s surface. Use a steel putty knife to scrape any remaining sealant off the concrete’s surface.
4: Get your measurements ready
The door opening’s width should be measured between the inner sides of the door jambs. Measure the new threshold and mark it. Using a builder’s square, square the mark and then a handsaw or circular saw to cut the threshold.
5: Mark your Screws’ positions
Place the threshold, so the inside edge is against the adjacent edge of the flooring or carpet strip by the door opening. Mark the positions of new screw placements at intervals of 8 inches and 3 inches from each end.
6: Make Holes
Install a 3/16-inch carbide drill bit in a power drill. At each spot, drill a single hole through the wood until the bit’s tip makes contact with the concrete. Remove the threshold and drill a 1 1/2-inch hole at each mark. Push a 3/16-by-1-inch concrete anchor into each of the holes, and they are flush with the concrete’s surface. (Learn How To Change Wax Ring On Toilet)
7: Add silicone sealant
Apply a thin, even layer of external silicone sealer to the concrete’s surface to protect the insides from rain. Place the new threshold between the jambs again. Each hole in the wood should have a 3-inch stainless steel screw driven into the concrete anchor underneath.
Add Aluminum Threshold
- Get rid of the decayed threshold
- To reveal the manufacturer’s screw holes, slide the rubber seal out of the channel in the threshold.
- With a felt-tip marker, mark the aluminum threshold’s ends where they meet the corresponding inside margins of the door jambs.
- Place the threshold so that its inner edge is up against the edge of the carpet or flooring strip at the opening.
- Drill 1 1/2-inch deep holes for anchors using a carbide drill bit, using the manufacturer’s screw holes as guidelines.
- Fill with 3/16-inch concrete anchors.
- On the underside of the threshold, run a wet bead of external silicone sealant along both edges.
- Lay the threshold inside the doorway. Put the supplied screws into each hole’s corresponding anchor.
- Reinstall the rubber seal in the threshold’s channel to stop rain from flowing over the sill.
How To Install A Rubber Seal For A Garage Door
The procedure might be slightly different if you wish to weatherproof a garage threshold.
- A rubber threshold seal is a popular choice among homeowners.
- You can use these sealants in place of or along with silicone-based caulk.
- After inspecting, measuring, and cleaning the area, cut your weatherstrip, apply the glue, and press it to the concrete to complete the installation.
Why Seal A Door Threshold?
Even though it might seem like more work than it’s worth, keeping your door threshold properly sealed is crucial.
Besides preventing moisture damage, a strong seal on the bottom of the door (and windows) helps keep out pests and lowers thermal transfer, which lowers energy costs.
