How To Stop Draft From Attic Door: Step By Step Instructions Of Stopping Draft From Attic Door

Step By Step Instructions Of Stopping Draft From Attic Door

Attic doors are not used at regular intervals, due to the fact that they generally serve only to provide access to examine the attic or to add insulation. The majority of the attic doors commonly are sealed with layers of paint or a bead of caulk when you built the house. If the attic has ever been acquired or obtained for any reason, the seal is broken. Faulty seals authorize air to move down from the attic or up from the living space, which in turn results in heat loss. If you find out any crack, gap, loose seam or a draft coming from the attic door, you can simply fix it. If you are looking to stop draft from attic door, then you simply need to go through the below-mentioned step by step instruction carefully & achieve the desired result of your work:

Step 1: Check For Air Leaks And Wood Stops

There are numerous ways when it comes to checking air leaks & wood stops, such as, lit incense stick or a thin piece of toilet paper. If there are any signs of erratic air movement coming from your attic hatch, then it is best option to replace weather-stripping. You can also examine the weather-stripping as well as molding around your attic door in order to see if it is damaged. If the attic hatch rests on the molding, add 2 1/2 inch stops around the entire opening. These new wood stops offer a larger area when it comes to securing new weather-stripping. They also give you an easy area when it comes to adding hook fasteners, if necessary. The door/hatch should close completely, pressing down on the gasket in order to create a full seal.

Step 2: Inspect The Weather-stripping/gaskets Around The Attic Hatch Opening

If weather-stripping/gaskets are dried out or damaged, then you need to remove them before replacing them. Generally, you can simply pull them away from the frame. If the weather-stripping was fastened using nails or screws, then you will need more time to get rid of all of the fasteners.

Step 3: Install New Weather-stripping

After getting rid of the old weather-stripping or if there was none, then it is time to install new weather-stripping. Calculate or compute and cut through the bottom edge of the trim and around the other three edges as long as it fits snug on all four sides. It is important to buy self-adhesive weather-stripping. Again, if you need to add new wood stops, you can do so before applying new weather-stripping. You need to add the self-adhesive foam weather-stripping to the top edges of the new wood stops.

Step 4: Add Fiberglass Or Rigid Foam Board To Back Of Hatch

After replacing the weather-stripping, you need to cut a piece of fiberglass or rigid foam board to size and secure or attach it on the back of the hatch/door, using nails or glue. You can buy pre-cut attic door insulation material at your nearest home improvement store or online.

Step 5: Attach Hook-and-eye Fasteners

As soon as you have added new weather-stripping and cut a piece of insulation for the back of the door, then you can use a hook-and-eye fastener that compresses when you latch the hook. Double check that there is a full seal by taking a lit incense stick and taking hold of it around the perimeter of your attic door.