With spring just around the corner in Massachusetts, many homeowners are taking a look around their home, and seeing what sorts of maintenance need to be performed. One of the most common issues that homeowners across the country deal with when it comes to home maintenance, is drafty windows. A leaking window can quickly reduce the energy efficiency of your home, whether it’s letting out heat in the winter, or AC in the summer. This means that locating & sealing drafty windows is a top priority on any home maintenance checklist, particularly because drafty windows often form as a result of moisture damage to the frames. If you’re interested in learning a bit about how you can easily located & seal a window draft, keep reading our blog for more information!
Locating A Draft
In order to seal a window draft, you’ll first need to locate it! While this may seem like an intimidating task, the truth is, finding a sealing a drafty window is simple & easy! One of the tried & true methods that homeowners have been using for decades is the candlestick trick! All you need to do is get a candlestick, one that isn’t surrounded by glass, and gently move it around the frame of your window while it’s closed. If the window has a draft, as you run the flame along the perimeter of the window, you will notice it swaying in the wind that is coming through your frame. This will allow you to pinpoint where the leak is coming from, which is the first step in repairing the issue.
Sealing The Draft
Once you’ve been able to locate the draft, you will want to seal it! This can be achieved in a number of different ways, depending on the season. The easiest methods, which most homeowners can do themselves at home, is to use caulking or weather-stripping, if the leak is minor. This will allow you to quickly seal up the leak and move on with your day.
However, if the the leak is more severe, there are other methods you may want to employ. For a window that is generally leaking, rather than from a particular spot, you can choose to seal the window with wrap during the winter, which will help to reduce energy loss. During the summer this method isn’t desirable, as it prevents you from using the unit, but it is an option for leaky windows that doesn’t require replacing the entire unit.
Contact Us Today
If you’re ready to replace your home’s windows this year, our team at Ciarlone Brothers is ready to assist! You can contact our team today by calling us at (781) 337-9183 or by filling out our online contact form below! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your window replacement needs!