I have a question about sealing around my entrance doors

Marie DeSalvo
by Marie DeSalvo
I have gaps that I would like to seal from the cold winter that is coming here in Buffalo, NY. I went to Home Depot and the guy told me that it is too late to use silicone because it is too cold already. He said it wouldn't cure. Can you suggest something I can use? It would be adhering to concrete and wood.
  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 25, 2015
    Maybe for now get some weather stripping to aid in the drafts.
  • Ann Ann on Oct 25, 2015
    I made some tubes from heavier fabric and filled them with rice. They work great. They lay on the floor against the door to block the cold air. Measure the width of the door sew up a tube or if you don't sew use fusible web and iron the seams. Large bags of rice are economical. Don't make them to fat or you will use 5 lbs. of rice each which is what I did.
  • Rhonda B Rhonda B on Oct 25, 2015
    Great Stuff insulating foam can be applied if the temps are above 40 degrees. Just make sure to store the product at room temp (at least 70) before you use. It works great to seal large or small gaps inside or out. Good luck!
    • See 4 previous
    • Marie DeSalvo Marie DeSalvo on Oct 27, 2015
      @Rhonda B Thanks. Will try that.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 25, 2015
    Use a flexible silicone that does not cure but pulls out easy, so next Spring who you can use a more durable product, it will close the gap for now.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Oct 26, 2015
    I'd say try the foam.anyway. Then in the Spring/Summer you can do a more permanent fix. I used to live in Buffalo longggggg time ago an I don't envy you. Good luck.
  • Marie DeSalvo Marie DeSalvo on Oct 26, 2015
    Still have to try the spray foam.
    • Rus1058682 Rus1058682 on Oct 31, 2015
      @Marie DeSalvo When using the foam, there are two types, I would go for the "minimal expanding" foam, as the other type can get real messy, real quick.. I know this from experience... Good Luck.. R
  • Comet Comet on Nov 01, 2015
    There are "temporary caulks" that you can use NOW and they can be removed in the spring and then you can address this more permanently. You can also use pieces of the pink "wool" insulation to press into cracks--use a chopstick or similar to get the stuff in there! You can also get a "caulk" that is like a "putty"--you warm this up in your hands and make a "rope" out of it (It might be called rope caulk) and press it into the crack-=-good for window gaps. An old fashioned remedy for this is to wait til it is freezing all day and use a wet rag to stuff into the crack--this will freeze in place and help block drafts. Two of my kids live in Buffalo==I do not envy you even tho I live at the opposite end of New York State and get pretty wicked winters!
    • Marie DeSalvo Marie DeSalvo on Nov 02, 2015
      Thanks @Comet That's a good suggestion. Will try that since I do have some of that In the basement.