Money Saver

This little dollar store item could save you $$$$. Problem is it doesn't work properly. It is repairable though.

I shall put my tongue firmly in my cheek as I create this entry in the Sew Tough competition ;-)

Step 1: What's the Problem?

The main problem is, the basement door was cut when the floor was carpeted. Now that we have gone back to the original 1864 hardwood, cold air escapes. You may not think this would be much of an issue, but it costs money to run the A.C.. Its like having a toilet that runs or a faucet that drips. It adds up over time.

Step 2: The Attempted Fix.

While wandering the dollar store I spotted this door seal. The wife liked the look of it, it matches our house's decor. Problem is its to light. You can put it against the door but only parts of it make contact.

Step 3: What's in It?

As you can see. Its filled with light fluff. It must be removed.

Step 4: What Should It Contain?

My pantry contained a large bag of rice. You could use a grain like oats or wheat. Since we stopped raising sheep we have no grain, so rice it is.

Step 5: Ok Now What

Now that it contains rice, how to close it up. I dig out the heavy duty case I found at Value Village for $5. It contains the heavy duty Singer sewing machine I bought for $150 a few years back at Canadian Tire They cost a bit more now.

Step 6: Sew It Up.

OK this machine has heavy duty parts, lots of power and can run at high speed. It can also do lighter work easily. There are lots of stitches and adjustments for someone like myself. All of them manually adjusted. No electronics to deal with. Place one end of the seam under the foot. Sew to the end then push down on the reverse tab and back up to the starting position. This completes the sewing portion of my Instructable. Impressive, wasn't it?

Step 7: Hurry Up and Block That Leak

Now that the redesign is complete, put the air dam in place. Notice how nicely it seals the opening. The savings are now adding up.

Comments

[snowf7]

To fill these quicker you can use the foam plumbing tubes that are meant to insulate water pipes.

[DanPro]

That would fill quick but to light and rigid I think. The effect that rice, grain or beans gives seals quite well and stays put.
Even during the Southern California earth quakes it didn't move a bit. Maybe being in Southern Ontario had something to do with that though.

[snowf7]

Hi DanPro; I live in South Western Ontario. LOL. The ones we have purchased have two spaces where a foam tube is inserted. There is a space between them and the space fits below the door so that there is a tube on each side of the door. These were sold at Showcase. It is basically two very long narrow pillow cases connected with a strip of material the thickness of the door. The foam tubes slip in on each side and there is a flap that folds over the open end. The flap is anchored with Velcro. I really like the idea of the rice though and if I ever get the time, I will definitely try it your way.

[DanPro]

Hi snowf7, I am a South Westerner as well. Brr!
That sounds like a great idea! It floats with the door, its also nice and light.
The rice version is more manual in its operation. It only takes a moment to slide it into place with the side of your foot. When you push it into place you know its nice and tight to the opening. When filled with fluff it just didn't seal well. Two of them stitched to a spacer would have done the job better. Your Velcro design would allow for washing as well. Hmm this may be a project for after the garlic harvest. Still 4000 to go and only one shovel.

[snowf7]

Hi DanPro;
LOL I hope it is a big shovel. With this heat wave, I sure do not envy you.
We use these draft stoppers even in the summer to keep the bedrooms cooled with "portable" air conditioners. They help to seal the rooms and keep the cost down. Now you have me wondering how well the double sided draft catcher would work with rice. I will not be sweating over the sewing machine until this heat wave is past. It has been an average of thirty degrees for at least a week now.

[attosa]

Wonderful :) My mum made me one when I was a kid. She added a Dachshund head and tail to either side to be cute. Really very helpful, too!

[DanPro]

Fun idea. The print of this fabric would make a pretty odd looking Dachshund, although people do make coats for their pets.
Hope the So Cal earthquakes last week didn't shake you up to badly.

[attosa]

One of my pups loved coats when it rained out-- funnily enough he was a Dachshund, as well :) The earthquakes were mad! Can't believe we had so many! Thank you!