How to Seal a Basement Bulkhead Door (3 Methods)

Giovanni Valle is a licensed architect and LEED-accredited professional and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is the author and managing editor of various digital publications, including BuilderSpace, Your Own Architect, and Interiors Place.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Whether you have a bulkhead door that has failed to function or one that has gaps that allow rain and debris to enter your basement, you’ve probably thought about sealing up your basement bulkhead door properly. Thankfully, there are many different ways you can do this correctly in order to keep your materials damage-free.

To seal your basement bulkhead door that is both quick and cost-effective, you could fill the gaps in your bulkhead door with a concrete sealant. You could also install a rubber seal around the perimeter to properly seal your door.

In this article, we’ll be going in-depth into the top 3 methods that will allow you to seal your basement bulkhead door properly. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, keep on reading to find out more.

Weather Stripping

Weatherstripping your bulkhead door is one of the most popular ways to keep unwanted leaks from building up in your basement. Thankfully there are plenty of different weatherstripping types available for those who choose to go this route.

Depending on the size of the gaps in your door, how certain materials will look on your door, as well as how easy installation will be, these are all determining factors on what kind of weather stripping material you’ll want to invest in.

Rubber weather stripping seals are an ideal option for your bulkhead basement doors, as they are easy to customize and cut into the length you need. Below we’ll list some of the best options available to you if you’re looking to add rubber seals to your bulkhead doors.

TRIM-LOK Ribbed Rectangle Rubber Seal

This rubber seal by TRIM-LOK is a highly-rated product on Amazon and is a top choice for those looking for durable and long-lasting material. This rubber seal comes in various sizes and lengths that will correctly fit any size crack or gap that your basement door may have. At the end of the day, this product will ensure that unwanted elements are kept out of your basement.

No matter what kind of maintenance you’re looking to do around the outside of your bulkhead door, this versatile rubber seal can easily be customized to fit the proper shape of your basement door.

This weather-resistant seal will ensure that all unwanted elements will stay out of your basement, keeping your property and possessions free of damage and unwanted leaking. Reviewers are raving about this product by TRIM-LOK, insisting that it’s not only easy to install, but keep water out of unwanted places for good.

Duck Brand Self Adhesive

This self-adhesive rubber seal by Duck Brand is a great option for those who are trying to accomplish a big job. If you’re looking to cover extra large gaps, this is an ideal product for you.

Installation of this rubber seal is quick and easy and can be done without extra tools or adhesives. Remove the paper liners and begin applying your rubber seal to the proper location.

You can easily cut into this durable material with a knife or pair of scissors to make it fit the gaps in your bulkhead door correctly. Customers have plenty of positive things to say about this product, stating that not only does this rubber seal ensure that unwanted leaks are kept at bay, but it also keeps out unwanted noises and debris.

Yotache Foam Weather Stripping Tape

This high-density rubber seal is another product that we highly recommend for several reasons. For one, this versatile material comes in a variety of lengths and sizes, making it an ideal match for all buyers no matter what big or small space you’re trying to fill is.

No matter what size and length fit you best, this product comes with two rolls of tape that both equate to 13ft in length. You can easily cut and bend this weatherstripping tape in any way necessary to help it fit your basement bulkhead door properly.

This weather stripping tape is also double-enforced with a strong grid adhesive backing, setting it apart from other rubber seals. Buyers are clearly impressed with how strong and durable this product is, with many noting how easy the application process was.

Bilco Door

Another method that will help users properly seal their basement bulkhead doors is investing in a Bilco door. This is an ideal product to install if your current bulkhead doors require lots of work, such as if they have begun to rust or rot.

There are various Bilco models available to consumers, all of which offer an unmatched design that will keep your basement free of any unwanted leaks or damages. These weathertight doors will definitely come in handy to those who have faulty or damaged bulkhead doors, and believe it or not, assembly is much easier than you may think.

You can watch a time-lapse of a Bilco employee installing a basement door in this simple one-hand operation in the video below.

While installing a new bulkhead door is a much larger task than simply applying a rubber seal, it may be well worth the time and effort for those who have damaged doors to begin with. If you feel as if rubber seals aren’t going to do the job, you may want to look into the high-quality basement doors that Bilco has available today.

Concrete Sealant

The last method we’ll be discussing that will help you properly seal your basement bulkhead door is using a concrete sealant. Once you have successfully located all of the cracks and gaps in your basement door, it’s time to go in with a concrete sealant.

Ensure that before you apply your sealant that the surface area is dry and free of any unwanted debris. It’s also ideal to check the weather before applying your sealant, as you’ll want to give your materials a few days to properly dry without coming into contact with water and leaks.

If you’re looking for a high-quality and top-rated concrete sealant on Amazon, this Siloxa-Tek 8500 Concrete Sealant is an industrial-grade solution that will keep unwanted leaks at bay. This product is also resistant to numerous climates and exposures, making it a must-have for those looking to seal their basement doors this way.

You can apply this solution with a sprayer or a rolling brush, making it an easy to use solution that won’t change the appearance no matter how you choose to apply. This sealant also dries clear, making it ideal for those looking to create a more subtle look while filling in their basement door gaps.

It’s recommended that you apply two coats of this sealant to receive the best results. It’s clear to see that consumers are very pleased after using this product, with many of them stating that this is a strong and solid product that stands up well against the elements.

Conclusion

In this article, we went in-depth into the top 3 methods you should use to seal your basement bulkhead door. We first went over how you can successfully fill in the cracks and gaps in your door with a rubber adhesive seal.

We also discussed Bilco basement doors and how installing this watertight option will definitely keep your basement free of leaks and damages. Concrete sealants are another tool to look into, as they are easy to use and will successfully fill any gaps your basement bulkhead door may have.