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Now, that winter is upon us, our kitchen feels super cold. Part of the reason is that nothing is under it (it was the back porch at one time before someone added it on who knows how many decades ago). I have a rolled up towel at the back door & the basement door which stops a lot of the cold coming in but I noticed that there is a draft coming from under the stove. At first I thought that I could just roll up another towel to put in front of it but when the oven is in use...well, I really don't want to burn down my house. I know at some point, we are going to have to turn off the gas (it is a gas stove), move the stove and really address the problem-but in the meanwhile, can anyone give me some ideas stop the draft that won't burn down my house?
I think you found the problem already. Check the gas line coming into the house. My bet is there is a bigger hole than needs to be where the line enters the house. Pick up a small can of foam sealant, and have at it.
If it is the gas line, I just realized that we can address that from the outside-A DUH! But, if it is not the gas line, then something else needs to be done.
If it's accessible from underneath seal ALL penetrations with expanding foam. Then insulate the floor with R-19 batts, cover with plywood, caulk all the seams, and paint.
If it's accessible from underneath seal ALL penetrations with expanding foam. Then insulate the floor with R-19 batts, cover with plywood, caulk all the seams, and paint.
does the stove have a vent built into it? Meaning, when you're cooking, is there a feature that lets you turn on an exhaust fan to remove the smells while you're cooking? If so, it may be connected to an outdoor exhaust "flapper" that is stuck open and the cold air is coming in that way. If that's the case, might be as easy to fix as dislodging the stuck flapper door outside. Or, if the flapper is ok, but maybe not enough weight to it to keep the wind from blowing it up/open, then just tape a quarter to it for a little extra weight to keep it down. That should do the trick.
This is not a hard fix. I have done it many times. First move the stove away from the wall. Ideally there is enough slack with the gas line that you can fit back there. Then stuff "foam backer rod" into the gap around the gas line and wall / floor. It is cheap -- M-D Building Products 1/2 in. x 20 ft. Caulk Backer Rod-71480 - The Home Depot
Then top off the foam rod with spray foam -- Loctite 12 fl. oz. Tite Foam Insulating Foam-2045981 - The Home Depot That brand is designed to not expand so much and results in a denser more durable finish. LET IT CURE FOR AN HOUR OR SO. You ought to be able to sort of trim away any excess and that helps to keep it neat.
Move stove back -- NO MORE DRAFTS!!!
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