If you’ve ever wondered why your house is so drafty, the causes are easy to pinpoint.
Solutions can be as simple as adding foam insulation or installing outlet sealers.
Here are 10 solutions from contractors and weatherization experts for fixing a drafty house.
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Gapped Floorboards
Drafts may seep between gaps in floorboards, says contractor Docia Boylen.
It’s a common problem with older houses with gapped floorboards or inadequate subflooring.
The solution to floorboard drafts is toadd area rugs, Boylen says.
Area rugs are instant insulation that take minutes to roll out.
Many drafts come from improperly sealed penetrations, says Glenn Gault of Gault Heating & Cooling.
These are often left unsealed during construction or the sealant has failed.
Apply caulk or low-expansionspray foam insulationaround larger openings where pipes or wires enter the wall.
The insulation may be the wrong size for the wall cavity.
Or, the vapor barrier might be improperly stapled to the studsor detached.
“By installing draft seals, homeowners can easily insulate their home and stop drafts,” Bujnovsky says.
Attic Leaks
The attic is a major source of heat loss, Gault says.
Heated air passes upward through a poorly insulated or sealed attic.
Drafts can pass downward, as well.
Stop the drafts by applying caulk or expanding foam to seal these gaps from above.
Open Damper
A chimney rapidly carries smoke up and away from the house.
It can do the reverse by bringing outdoor drafts into the house.
The problem may be that the fireplace damper is not closed or doesn’t seal properly.
double-check the damper is closed, Boylen says.
It’s easy to forget that the damper is open after the fire has gone out.
If the damper is closed but it still leaks, install a chimney balloon.
A chimney balloon is an inflatable rig that seals the flue and costs $25 to $45.
Recessed Lights
Recessed lightsare an avenue for drafts in a house, according to Gault.
Recessed lights penetrate the ceiling, and the attic is usually draftier and colder than the level below.
Install insulated, airtight covers directly over the fixtures in the attic, Gault says.
If the drafts faintlysmell of a sewer, the plumbing drain traps are likely missing the water.
Thepurpose of a drain trapis to create a water seal to prevent sewer gas from entering the home.
Water may evaporate from the trap if the gear hasn’t been used for a while.
Flush the toilet to fill the trap.
“This creates hairline cracks in walls and around windows and doors, letting in cold air.”
Methods and Materials for an Airtight Building.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
