The purpose of caulking your home is to seal cracks and gaps that are no more than a quarter of an inch in width. Air leaks (drafts) can be closed by using a caulking compound. The process can be done around the windows and door frames. These are areas where you will find most of the drafts.

Caulking can keep water from seeping in and your home. The caulking compound can be applied on ceiling fixtures, water pipes, drains, faucets, bathtubs and other areas in relation to plumbing.

Before you start, make sure that you have found all of the air leaks in your home. You will also need to figure out how much ventilation you will need for the inside of your home.

You will need a caulking gun to start the process. A disposable cartridge with caulking compound goes in the half-barrel caulking fun. The best kind of caulking gun to have is one that has an automated release. However, there are some cartridges that are pressurized will not need a caulking gun. You can also purchase caulking compound that comes in squeeze tubes and aerosol cans.

Caulking - Keep in the warmth!

There are different types of caulking compounds. They come in different strengths, properties and of course, prices. If you use caulking that is water based, you can just clean it up with water. However, if it is solvent-based, it has to be cleaned up with a solvent.

Weather-stripping

Weather-stripping is used to seal air leaks in your home. You will find many air leaks in windows and doors. You will have to measure the perimeters of the windows and doors that need to be weather-stripped.

Before you start the weather-stripping process, you must find all of the air leaks and see how much ventilation you will need in your home in order to have the best quality of air.

The weather-stripping that you use will be able to endure inclement weather, varied temperatures, and any wear and tear while it is installed. Whatever kind of weather-stripping that you get should remained sealed where it won’t peel off.

Check for air leaks

If you find any air leaks (drafts), note them on your list. You can save up to 30% or possibly more per year once you get those taken care of. Look for things such as baseboard gaps, gaps at the edge of the floor, gaps in walls and ceilings. Check those areas to see if you feel air coming through. You would be amazed at the items you may find that need repairing.

Other places where you should check for drafts include:

Window frames
Electrical outlets
Doors that have weather stripping
Attic hatches
Fireplace dampers
Air conditioners that are mounted to a wall or window
Pipes and wires
Seals in the foundation of the home

If you can rattle windows and doors, there may be a possible air leak. Daylight in a door or window frame can constitute an air leak. Use caulking or weatherstripping to seal up the air leaks. Make sure the storm windows in your home are not broken.

If your home has old doors and windows, you will eventually need to replace them with those that are of high-performance and are durable.