As the weather cools off, you may begin to notice drafts caused by air leaks throughout your home. Because these leaks can cause discomfort and other serious problems, it’s important that you add caulking these trouble spots to your to-do list for fall preventive maintenance.

Why should I invest time and money in caulking?
Air leaks can do more than just give you the shivers. These may be located around openings in your home, like around windows and doors, or in the basement, crawlspaces, attic and other places. These leaks can suction the warm air that your furnace has produced from your home, causing uneven heating and requiring your furnace to over even harder. This creates problems with inefficiency that could raise your utility bill by as much as 20 percent. Air leaks are also known to cause moisture problems, and cracks in your basement walls or foundation can result in costly damages. Taking the time to remedy these leaks will add up to significant savings.

How can I seal air leaks with caulking?
Caulk is a great material to use for sealing off air leaks in your home and improve efficiency. To avoid overdoing it, though, it’s a good idea to work with a professional HVAC contractor to determine your home’s ventilation needs before beginning. A professional may also be handy in finding and sealing tricky leaks that are hidden behind layers of insulation.

Before using caulk to seal leaks, be sure clean all areas for optimum adhesiveness. The area should also be dry to avoid sealing in moisture. The best method is to hold the caulk gun at a 45-degree angle and apply evenly and consistently. Seal each crack completely and push any oozing caulk back into place with a putty knife for best results.

For more expert advice on caulking, contact the professionals at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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