When your home’s internal temperature is not at a desirable level, it might be a sign that there’s an air leak somewhere. Uncomfortable winds and temperature changes are consequences of an air leak, and it only gets worse as the seasons change.
In addition, you waste money on your heating bill when you don’t address air leaks. With that in mind, here is how to find and fix air leaks in your home.
Learn About the Most Common Sources of Air Leaks
The easiest way to locate an air leak in the home is by feeling it. For example, if you feel a slight draft and you aren’t near a fan or AC unit, there is most likely an air leak in the vicinity.
The most common areas for an air leak are near windows and doors, but sometimes the air leaks from a hidden location, such as through the wiring holes for cable TV, phone lines, outlets, plumbing vents, and attic openings. Other hidden spots include light sockets, furnace ducts, and knee walls.
Fully Inspect Your Home To Identify Where the Leak Is Coming From
Before you can know where the leak is coming from, complete a full visual inspection of your home to make a complete determination. Gaps in the walls are consistent leakage points, but any other opening is fair game.
There is a simple smoke test that you can do at home to find where the air is leaking. First, turn off anything that disrupts natural airflow, such as your air conditioner, dryer, fans, and water heater. Next, close all the doors and shut each window in your home.
Then, light incense and carry it to where you think the air might be leaking. If you can see the smoke escaping your room or if it wavers while you are holding it, you will know that’s where the air is leaking.
Obtain All the Equipment You Need and Patch the Hole
After locating your home’s air leak, now it’s time to patch things up. First, you need to obtain all the materials that you need. Spray foam and caulk are the most effective tools for sealing any gaps, but they are overbearing in some instances.
If the leak is coming from under a door or window, you can purchase weatherstrips that go along the perimeter of the frame. However, you don’t want to create another problem in your home by sealing yourself off completely.
Indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide or radon trap themselves in your home when there is no airflow, so open the windows and doors from time to time to let fresh air indoors. Nonetheless, using AAF Flanders air filters is another method for reducing pathogens in the air.
Overall, air leaks are an annoying occurrence, but they are easy to fix with the right knowledge and tools. Now that you know how to find and fix air leaks in your home, you can say goodbye to that pesky draft!
