Get Reliable Window Weatherstripping in Mooresville & the Lake Norman

Any home has to contend with the weather, and some homes are better at it than others. Regardless of wind, cold weather, or blistering heat, a well-maintained house should sustain a consistent indoor temperature so residents can stay comfortable. Does your house feel drafty or struggle to keep up with heating or cooling? If so, you might need some weatherstripping.

Mr. Handyman is happy to help our neighborhood by providing window weatherstripping in Mooresville, Statesville, Cornelius, Huntersville, and the whole Lake Norman area. By tackling this small, simple task, Mr. Handyman helps homeowners keep their indoor spaces comfortable. And, as an added benefit, homes that are properly weatherproofed are more energy-efficient (that means lower utility bills!) and pest-resistant.

Weatherstripping is the process of sealing small gaps around items in the house that move, like windows and doors. Whereas a gap around a water pipe in a wall might be sealed with caulk, homeowners can’t caulk their doors (unless they never want to leave!). Door weatherstripping, and by extension, sliding glass door weatherstripping, can stop moisture and air from sneaking through the cracks surrounding entrances and exits.

Low-quality or non-existent exterior door seals are not the only culprits behind drafts and moisture intrusion; windows are another big offender. Garage side door seals are equally important, as a home can leak heating or cooling into the garage through these small cracks. Don’t forget that cars also produce carbon monoxide, which is dangerous for human health. No one wants that encroaching through a doorway into the house!

How Is an Area Weatherproofed?

The process for weatherstripping remains fairly similar no matter where in the house it’s being done. First, if any old attempts at sealing the gaps remain (such as worn-out weatherstripping), they need to be removed. Then, Mr. Handyman will repair the area as necessary to make it sturdy and ready for a new seal.

Once the surface is prepared, the installer will add weatherstripping using an adhesive. The strip must be cut to the exact side of the gap to ensure there are no obvious seams. The stripping may need to be adjusted repeatedly until the door or window seals snugly but smoothly.

At this point, many homeowners also choose to have a door sweep installed, which is a flexible covering on the bottom of the door. The sweep seals off the gap at the bottom while still allowing the door to swing open and close freely. If you need weatherstripping near you, the reliable team at Mr. Handyman makes the whole process fast and easy.

Weatherstripping is the best choice for closing the gaps around doors and windows in a home. However, there are other options to boost the climate control of a space and make sure outside air stays outside. It’s a great idea to tackle some of these alongside a weatherstripping project!

• Window replacement – Older windows might not be made of materials that provide good insulation. Newer windows can keep a house more temperature-regulated. Mr. Handyman can swap your windows for you and install new weatherproofing around them at the same time for the most complete seal.
• Painting – A layer of paint might not seem like a defense against outdoor air intrusion, but it plays a bigger role than you might think. If your home is full of chipped, bubbling, or worn-down paint (which are signs of moisture damage), it could be sucking air from the outdoors inside through a nuanced process called conduction. Moisture on the outside wall that penetrates inward is a great conductor of heat, which means it easily transfers both heat and cold from outside into the house. If the paint indoors is damaged, this moisture can reach all the way to the exposed wall, leading to small areas with different temperatures than the indoor ambient. Fixing up the drywall and then repainting can keep a wall protected from moisture and the small temperature fluctuations that it can bring.
• Flooring – Anyone who has set foot on a cement floor knows that it feels a lot cooler than standing on carpet. Different flooring types handle temperatures differently, and those wanting to control the climate in their home would do well to consider repairing existing flooring or installing a new type that better matches their needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace window weatherstripping myself, or should I hire a professional?

Weatherstripping might seem like an easy task for a weekend DIY project, but the professionals can provide a better final product. Many homeowners are surprised to find that they either cannot remove their old, worn-out weatherproofing strips (because the adhesive has become gunky) or that the wall behind the weatherstripping is damaged. Sometimes, they even damage the wall themselves by trying to remove stubborn stripping! Professionals can fix these issues, and they also have the tools to accurately measure and cut new stripping to a door or window’s exact specifications.

What are the signs that my window weatherstripping needs replacement?

The first sign that people usually notice about old weatherstripping is drafts. Simply holding a hand up to a window or door is often enough to detect a draft, which indicates the weatherstripping is no longer functioning. Other signs include flaking or missing pieces, stripping that is no longer straight, or weatherstrips that are starting to peel away from the wall.

Are there specific weatherstripping materials recommended for historic or wooden windows?

Not all windows respond to weatherstripping the same way. Old windows tend to do better with spring bronze products, and many wooden windows rely on V-strips for the best seal. A reputable team should be able to choose the right weatherstripping material according to your project’s unique details.