Tightening Air Leaks and Start Caulking with Handyman

Leaky windows could account for as much as 35 percent of your home’s heat loss this winter. Check your windows for drafts on a windy day by moving a lighted candle around the window edges. While tacked-on spring-metal weather stripping lasts the longest, self-stick foam and taped-rolled vinyl and felt are easier to install. There are a lot of information about this process at www.handymansanantonio.com.

These interior weather-stripping steps generate few savings when gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior are left unattended. Check around door and window frames and wherever dissimilar materials meet, such as framing and foundation. Clean out any caulk or sealant and replace with new; check package instructions to determine which type suits your needs. Remember to wear gloves and wash up carefully afterward.

Start Caulking

Take a trip down the caulk aisle in any hardware store, and you will see a multitude of caulks and sealants crowding the shelves. Peek at the price tags. You will find they can cost you a little or a lot, depending on what type of job you’re doing and how much sealant you need.

• If you’re not sure what to use, silicone caulk is always a safe choice. After all, it remains flexible and impervious to water for up to 30 years. However, because it can be expensive, you may not want to plug your whole house with it.
• A more savvy approach is to save silicone for the small areas where you need exceptional adhesion and elasticity (such as around showers) and to buy cheaper caulks that will work as well for other jobs.
• Acrylic latex caulks are easy to use. When used inside, they last 2 to 10 years. Butyl rubber caulk is very durable for outdoor use, but application and cleanup can be difficult. The seal can last up to 10 years.
• Siliconized acrylic caulks are a hybrid. Like acrylic, they’re easy to apply and easy to clean up. Like silicone, they last for 20 to 30 years.
• Urethane foam, packaged in aerosol cans, expands after release, filling large and hard-to-reach gaps handily. Use around electrical outlets and new windows. The cost is high, and gloves must be worn during applications.

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