Advice on Sealing Under Pocket Door to Prevent Pest Access

RedPete · 27-07-2025 05:42PM #1

Hi all,

I’m looking for some advice on how best to seal off an access point into the subfloor of my home - under a pocket door in the older part of the house.

I’ve had past issues with pests and after inspecting with a borescope camera, I found clear gaps under the pocket door.

The main challenge is access - pest control companies don’t typically deal with this type of sealing work, and while a carpenter could likely remove and refit the pocket door, I’m not sure that would give enough access to properly seal the gaps within the reach of that cavity

Has anyone dealt with something similar or have recommendations on?

The best method/tools for sealing these kinds of hard-to-reach gaps
What kind of tradesperson might be best suited for this in Dublin

Thanks in advance!

the_pen_turner · 27-07-2025 11:04PM

are they stud walls with a plasterboard finish.

have you a picture

is it a henderson type rail and have you access to remove the door without damaging the wall

RedPete · 28-07-2025 06:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123675973#Comment_123675973

Pocket Door_2.jpg

Pocket Door_1.jpg

Thanks for getting back to me - I'm not sure of the rail type (photo attached).

I could be wrong but I had understood you could remove this type of door when you take off the architrave/trim.

Appreciate any advice

RedPete · 28-07-2025 06:25PM

& yes stud walls with plasterboard finish thanks

the_pen_turner · 28-07-2025 07:13PM

not sure if you can open off those rollers the same as a henderson rail .

if you remove the slips on the frame is it as wide as the door. if so it will give you some room to push the door through the frame a bit

take off the arcitrave at the top and see if you can see the rollar adjusters ontop of the door. you might need to cut out some plasterboard. try to kep inside the line of the arcitrave so it covers it later.

take off the skirting and cut out the plaster slab below the skirting line and see if you can get acees that way.

RedPete · 28-07-2025 07:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123678401#Comment_123678401

Thanks for your advice with this - worried I'll make a meal of it so I might try to find a carpenter who would take this on

policarp · 28-07-2025 08:43PM

I would suggest brush draught excluders all round ,both sides.

But the bugs will still be there except out of sight.

GreeBo · 06-08-2025 04:25PM

Might be easier/better to take the floor up, depending on floor finish?

If its just carpet over a suspended wooden floor then I would roll back the carpet, take up some planks on which ever side of teh door gives you best access and seal it from below, depending on space you might be able to just glue/screw some OSB etc under the floor to close off the gaps.

Advice on Sealing Under Pocket Door to Prevent Pest Access

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