I'm looking for a replacement door sweep for an exterior door. The type I removed had one spline centered down its length to push up in to the door. It had a long fin on the outside, two medium fins in the middle, and one short fin on the inside. It was mashed almost flat though. The problem I'm having is that the gap under the door is so narrow that I can't find any sweeps thin enough that will allow me to close the door. I don't see markings on the door that say what type it is.

Rain blows hard against this door, so I need to find a really good seal for it. It's already ruined my kitched floor once. I'm worried an outside only solution won't keep the water out.

If you know a sution to my situation, please share. My wife really wants to be able to use this door again.

Thanks!

 

Replacement sweeps are a dime a dozen on line, sure you can find something that is close. Assume you have an inswing door. It is therefore important that the weather strip seals well the whole length of the door. There are inserts that help seal the extreme bottom of the side weather striping on the door jamb. The threshold should be sloped to allow any water to sheet to the exterior side and be caulked along the perimeter. A simple side mounted sweep should stop the majority of any rain driven water. What your door really needs is a drip pan underneath to catch any of the blow by before it ruins your flooring. A properly installed door with pan should not leak to the inside. You also want to make sure it is sealed across the top of the door either with molding that is caulked or with flashing/drip cap that prevents water from getting past the siding and into the wall cavity. A quality storm door will also minimize the quantity of water that can get through to the inside.

 

Since you've already had one floor ruined, I'd want to do more than just rely on a door sweep - a decent fitting storm door should help to insure enough rain water doesn't get inside to test the weatherstripping.