The windows in your home play a big part in maintaining the interior temperature of your home. If a window has a bad seal, outdoor temperatures can start to enter the home and lead to higher heating and cooler bills overtime. Window leaks also put you at risk of water damage around the window. If you suspect your window may have a bad seal or it’s been a while since you checked, use these methods to locate and seal a leak quickly and effectively!
Stand by the window and see if you can feel a draft coming from it. It’s easiest to detect a draft during extreme hot or cold temperatures. Those harsh temperatures will be a stark contrast from the temperature you have your thermostat set to, so feeling them should be no problem. You can run your hand along the edges of the window to get a more specific location of where the draft is coming in.
Take a walk around the exterior of your home and inspect the edges of each window. If the window appears to be separated from the frame or siding, there’s likely a bad seal to blame. Note any cracks or holes you find so you can repair them all at once later!
If the temperatures outside aren’t extreme enough to feel a noticeable draft inside, fire is a great way to find the leak. Hold a lighter or candlestick and trace along the edges of your window. If the flame starts to flicker, it’s because air is coming through the window seal. You can speed up the process by having someone go outside and trace the window frame with a blow dryer or small fan while you conduct the flame test inside.
You can repair a window leak using caulk in a caulking gun. Clean the area first using soap and water and allow it to dry completely. Then, apply the caulk to the area that has a bad seal. You can use a putty knife to smooth the caulking and improve the appearance once you’re done sealing the area. Let the caulk dry completely and apply a second coat if the leak still isn’t sealed. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the window where it opens instead of around the frame, apply weather-stripping to the base of the window. Weather-stripping acts as a barrier between outdoor drafts and the interior of your home, without hindering the windows ability to open and close.
If you’re interested in replacing your home’s windows this year, our team at All Weather Exteriors is ready to assist! You can contact our team today by calling us at (603) 496-0244, or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your installation needs!
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