Home Decorating Ideas - Put the Freeze on Cold Air Drafts this Winter

(ARA) - Before the winter winds put a chill in your air, pull out your gun (your caulk gun that is) and stop air leaks dead in their tracks. Air drafts around the home are more than just a comfort issue; they can contribute to many unnecessary dollars added to your heating bill. In fact, did you know that caulking around windows and doors can cut heating and cooling bills by 10 percent?

Caulking is one of the quickest and easiest ways to stop air leaks around the interior of the home. The first step to a great caulking job is to choose the correct product. Most do-it-yourselfers prefer to use a water-based caulk because they are easy to use and clean up with soap and water. Polyseamseal All-Purpose Adhesive Caulk is always a great choice among the water-based caulks because it provides a permanently flexible weather-resistant seal against air, moisture, dirt and dust and adheres to almost any surface.

So, before the cold air rushes in, grab your gun filled with Polyseamseal All-Purpose Adhesive Caulk and follow this checklist to be sure your home is properly sealed.

Windows Frames

Small gaps and cracks around windows not only allow energy to escape from the house, but also can cause damage to your insulation and framing from dampness. Luckily, caulking around windows can tackle this temperature and water problem easily. Just be sure that the surface is clean and dry before you start caulking.

Perimeter Walls

Perimeter walls often suffer as your home shifts, creating small cracks. While they may look small and not very menacing, they are yet another culprit for cool air to sneak in and warm air out. For small cracks, just fill in with caulk. However, for large gaps and openings fill the joint with a foam joint filler, such as PL VersaRod. Filling the crack with joint filler seals gaps, prevents loss of caulking, and helps the cured material to expand and contract without rupturing.

Door Frames

Did you know that a 1/8-inch gap around two door frames can let in as much cold air as leaving a 12-inch window opened 6 inches all winter long? So be sure to check around door frames to close any possible leaks. It is often a good idea to remove any old caulking before you start to create a more aesthetic caulk bead and to ensure a better seal.

Attic Openings

With limited insulation in most attic areas, it is important that you keep a tight seal around these openings since they are just as important as windows and doors that lead to outside. Be sure to check all framing and caulk for any possible gaps.

For more information on caulking projects, call (888) 445-0208 or visit www.polyseamseal.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content