Eliminate Drafts in Your House

There is a never ending list of chores to keep homeowners busy, but fall is the time to see that your home is ready for winter weather. With heating costs on the rise, be sure that you will stay warm and comfortable with the least amount of expense. Replacing all the old stuff that’s not efficient is the ideal, but that’s not realistic for many people so make good use of mild fall weather to get your house ready for frigid winter winds.

Eliminate drafts.
Weather stripping is used for sealing windows and doors and there are different types for specific areas. Caulk is pliable and is used to fill gaps almost everywhere else in the house. Like weather stripping, there is the right caulk for each area or use and it even comes in colors. Caulk is usually applied with a caulking gun that can take some getting used to. Rope caulk is more expensive but is easy to use by pressing it into place with your fingers. Using the right product for a specific area will create a more effective seal.

Many homeowners can cut their heating cost by as much as 25% by eliminating drafts. A good way to check for drafty doors and windows is by holding a lit stick of incense and watch for movement of the smoke. (Be careful using lit incense around curtains.) Check caulking around windows and weather stripping around doors and repair or replace any that shows damage. Don’t forget basement and attic windows.

Electrical outlets are often a source of drafts and sealers are made specifically to fit behind outlet and switch plates to eliminate drafts.

Any pipes that enter the house through an exterior wall are a potential source of drafts. Seal these with weather stripping or caulking.

Weather strip around attic hatches and pull down stairs.

Seal basement windows with rope caulk. This can be removed easily if the window needs to be opened. If basement windows are single pane, consider covering them with plastic.

Check door locks for drafts and seal with weather stripping.

Duct work leaks in attics and crawl spaces are not uncommon, so don’t overlook them as a potential loss of heat.