8 Common Drafty Spots to Check for (and Seal) Ahead of Cold Weather
Learn how to pinpoint chilly drafts and seal up the gaps for good.
Drafty gaps in windows, doors, attics, and basements can make heating your home more expensive than it has to be. In severe cases, your furnace may even struggle to keep your home warm, leading to discomfort during the colder months.
Doors and windows are the most obvious culprits, but there are plenty of other often-drafty spaces you might be overlooking. Ahead of colder weather, do a walk-through of your home to make sure all the gaps are sealed tightly. We’re sharing eight common spots to check for drafts, along with steps for finding the source of the draft and sealing them up for good
Common Drafty Areas to Check For
Uncovering a mysterious draft can seem overwhelming, but there are some common areas to check first. Before cold weather hits, check these areas.
Windows: Windows are one of the most common areas of the home that causes drafts. This is more likely on windows that open, but all windows can become drafty—especially as they get older.
Doors: Like windows, doors are notorious for being drafty. Exterior doors that are used frequently and those in older homes are the most common offenders.
Attics, basements, and crawl spaces: Unfinished areas of the home are more susceptible to drafts. Drafts and gaps in these spaces often go unnoticed, as you spend less time in these areas.
Chimneys and fireplaces: Fireplaces and chimneys are a gateway to the outdoors. This often results in gaps or cracks that lead to drafts.
Vents and fans: If you notice drafts around vents or fans, you may need to repair some of your HVAC components. Drafts are often caused by ductwork that has come loose from itself, the unit, or the vents.
Plumbing: Pipes going in and out of the house can lead to gaps, causing drafts and serving as a highway for pests.
Electrical outlets: Gaps around electrical running in and out of the home can be the source of drafts. You may even notice a draft if you hold your hand up to an outlet.
How to Find Drafts in Your House
Some drafts are obvious, while others can be hard to pinpoint. Here are some tips and tricks for locating a draft.
Use a flashlight: One of the simplest ways to find a draft is to turn out the lights and shine a flashlight around the area where you suspect the draft is. Position someone else on the other side and, if they see any light shining through, this is likely the source of the draft.
Use a candle: If you can’t get the area dark enough to accurately locate the draft using a flashlight, a candle may be more suited for the job. Simply hold the flame up to various points. If it begins to flicker, you’ll know you found your draft.
Rent a thermal camera: For hard-to-find drafts, a thermal camera may be necessary. This tool scans the area and shows you the surface temperature differences in real time. However, these tools can be pricey, so we recommend renting one.
How to Seal Drafts Once You Find Them
There are several different methods for filling gaps and fixing drafts. You should choose your method of attack based on where the draft is located. Here are some of the most effective ways to get rid of the drafts in your home before cold weather arrives.
Re-caulk the windows.: On older windows, the caulk or glazing may be failing. For best results, remove any old caulk or glazing before applying the new product.
Replace old windows with energy-efficient versions: If you can afford it, replacing your old windows with modern, energy-efficient windows can make a major difference in your home’s energy use.
Apply weatherstripping around windows and doors: To stop drafts coming in around windows and doors, open them and replace the weatherstripping around the opening. Over time, weatherstripping compresses and wears, compromising its ability to seal the gap.
Install a door sweep: Mounting a door sweep to the bottom of exterior doors can make a major difference in the door’s draftiness while helping to keep pests out of the house.
Fill small gaps with expanding foam spray: Holes and gaps around pipes, electrical wires, and other utilities going in and out of your walls can be filled with expanding foam spray. If the gap is too large to fill with spray foam, you may need to shore it up and make repairs to the surrounding materials first.
Insulate attics, crawl spaces, and basements: Install insulation in the unfinished areas of your home to combat drafts. If you can locate the source of the drafts, it may be effective to simply block off those areas during the colder months of the year.
Cover the fireplace when not in use: If you aren’t using your drafty fireplace, invest in a quality fireplace draft cover to help curb the draft.
Install electrical outlet weatherproofing gaskets: To cut down on drafts around electrical outlets, install weatherproofing electrical box gaskets. These specialty gaskets seal the area around the electrical box to stop air movement.
Replace screen doors with storm doors: In moderate temperatures, screen doors are great. However, when the weather turns cold, replacing screen doors with storm doors can cut down drafts and help your home be more energy efficient.
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The post 8 Common Drafty Spots to Check for (and Seal) Ahead of Cold Weather appeared first on feeds.distribution.dotdashmeredith.com. Author: Kamron Sanders.
