Drafty Mail Slot
This week, while looking through Avista’s DIY Home Energy Savings Tips, one item stood out to me. “Find and plug draft leaks.” This is advice not only for the winter months, but in the summer, when we are trying so hard to keep the house cool while the temperature reaches 100 degrees outside.
Drafty Mail Slot
My old 1910 house leaks like a sieve, and this is an ongoing project for me. A couple of weeks ago, I placed gaskets inside my electrical outlets and light switches. Before that, I installed door sweeps along the bottom of my front and back doors.
We moved into my house in January 2019. It was cold outside, and we kept feeling a large draft near the stairs.
The Mail Slot features an 11 in. Wide opening and spring-loaded front plate with an interlocking flap for tight closure. It can be easily installed as a replacement for an existing slot or new when combined with the Mail Slot Sleeve. This durable Mail Slot will provide outstanding service in all types of weather. Mounting hardware is also provided.
It was the mail slot on the wall next to the front door. One tiny metal flap that taps against the house when it’s windy is doing a fairly poor job of keeping out the drafts.
Our initial solution was to stuff paper towels in the slot. But after the mail comes, if we’re not home that doesn’t do us much good, since the paper towels and the mail are now on the floor.
I’ve been looking for something to cover this with since we moved in. I’ve checked hardware stores and searched on the internet, but I haven’t really found a good cover for these. I finally found something online that I hope will work.
- A draft free mail slot – a central vac sweep door – a counter top garbage trap: Three of the most useful SLOTS you have ever seen. Slots are simply small passageways through something. In this segment we looked at three very nifty Slots — all completely different. The counter top.
- Apr 13, 2011 What sets the Draft Dodger apart from ordinary mail slots is their insulation and dirt stopping barrier. Both interior and exterior flaps are insulated with seals to keep the cold air out of the house and the hot air in. Not only are these mail slots insulated with seals around the flaps but also with a thick layer of brushes between the two flaps.
It’s a mail bag. Its made from quite thick material, so I’m pretty sure it can keep out the drafts. I placed two Velcro strips above and below the mail slot. Then I attached the bag. Super easy solution—It didn’t even require me to use any tools.
Drafty Mail Slots
This solution is also pretty handy, since it collects the mail in a bag instead of all over the floor.
Lisa, an Avista customer, bought her 1910 house because she loved the old-world character, some of which doesn’t make her house very energy efficient. Lisa is sharing her experience on taking some simple do-it-yourself improvements to inspire others to do the same. You’ll find her stories right here every Tuesday morning.
Slots are simply small passageways through something. In this segment we looked at three very nifty Slots -- all completely different.
THE INSULATED MAIL SLOT
Baldwin Brass Mail Slot
How about a through the door mail slot that does not give you cold drafts?
The Draft Dodger has two gasketed and spring loaded doors, one on each side of the door to really keep out the cold air.
It even has brushes to block the cold air if someone left a letter in the middle of the slot rather than pushing it all the way through. And the double doors helps increase security for the door, you can't reach through from the outside easily.
You can purchase this great device from the Insulated Draft Dodger Mail-Slot Store.
COUNTER TOP GARBAGE CHUTE
The counter top butcher block is cut into the counter. A small frame under the counter holds it in place and at the right height.
Place a garbage can under this 'slot' and all you have to do is tilt up the board and all the scrap slides into the garbage. Nothing falls on the floor. This is a great idea for salvaging a counter top where you have burned the laminate. Cut out the burn and install this cutting board. You could even just put a garbage tray on a shelf below the slot to maintain storage space.
Mail Slot Home Depot
BASEBOARD VACUUM DOOR
Central vacuum cleaners are great but there are times when it is just too much trouble to haul out that long hose to pick up a spill in the kitchen.
Install this 'VacuSweep' trap door, compatible with all models of central vacs, and use your old fashioned broom to sweep the junk right into the central vac.
Lift the lever with your toe, it opens the slot and activates the vacuum cleaner. Sweep in the general direction of the Vac Sweep and it sucks up whatever is thrown it's way. Push on the lid with your toe and it closes the slot and shuts down the machine.
TIPS FOR CUTTING SLOTS
When you are cutting slots there are some tips to make the job easier. If your slot will show, that is there is no flange to cover the edges like with the counter top butcher block, you will need to drill your blade holes well inside of the slot outline and then go back with the jig saw and clean out the corners square after you cut the slot. However, if you have a flange, like on both the Vac Sweep and the Draft Dodger, drill the holes centred right at the corners of the slot. This will actually give you clearance for the corners of the insert as well as make the cutting job quicker and easier.
Drafty Mail Slot App
When cutting on a surface that you do not want to scratch, cut out a piece of construction paper slightly larger than the slot. Place this over the work and have the jig saw ride on this protective covering. You will have no scratch marks on that newly painted door.