The Best Way to Deal With Drafts & Air Leaks This Fall

Before winter begins, it’s important to make sure all areas of your home are properly sealed against the outdoor elements. It usually isn’t hard to locate drafts or air leaks in any room inside your house. But to find the source of the drafts and properly seal them, you may need the help of a professional to ensure all your bases are covered. To learn how to deal with air leaks and drafts, Entergis Testing and Sealing, LLC shares what you need to know here:

Check your doors & attic. When the weatherstripping around entry doors is poorly installed, damaged or broken, it can cause drafts to flow into your house. It’s important to check your weatherstripping for any sign of cracking or dry rot, and if you notice signs of wear and tear, make sure to replace it as soon as possible. You should also consider sealing the small gap around your pull-down attic hatch or stairs, as this will let through the same amount of air as an indoor heating duct. The best way to do this is by caulking between the stair frame and the rough opening. You can also use foam weatherstripping around the perimeter of the attic opening.

Add more insulation. Heat naturally rises, so without adequate insulation, you’ll experience a lot of heat loss during the winter season. Many older homes tend to have insufficient insulation as well since they fall below the minimum R-value. Most modern homes should have an R-value of around R-38 in the attic space to prevent indoor heat from rising and dissipating too fast. 

Consider spray foam insulation. If you find any holes or drafty areas around your windows, doors or other areas of your home, you can’t go wrong with spray foam insulation. Low-expansion polyurethane foam in a can is great for sealing holes that are about ¼ inch to three inches wide, and can also be applicable as a gap-filler if you’re fixing a wet basement. However, these are often just short-term solutions; if you want to ensure your home is truly sealed in the long run, make sure to work with a trusted contractor!

Entergis Testing and Sealing, LLC is your best choice for air leakage testing and sealing services! Call us today at (225) 445-2362 or fill out our convenient request form online.