By sealing cracks,
holes and drafts, you can make a world of difference in your heating
bill. Consider these fix ups:
- See if exterior doors close tightly: Do they sag? Do they rub
their door frames? Are latch plates or hinges loose? If the answer
is "yes" to any of these questions, spend some sweat
equity to straighten the way your doors hang.
- Replace worn-out weather stripping. To see if it's time to replace,
try this test: hold up a piece of tissue near any cracks. If the
tissue blows around -- you have cracks that need sealing. Add weather stripping
around doors; foam sealant may do the trick for
hard-to-reach cracks. If you can't find exact replacements, spring
plastic strips, V-strips, or tubular gaskets make good alternatives.
Also, check with your local utility companies; some will provide
free weather stripping to help tighten up your home.
- Repair air leaks around windows. On a windy day, use a lighted
candle to find air infiltration. Make sure storm windows are in
place. Fix broken caulk around window exterior. On old leaky
windows, consider using plastic sheet insulator kits.
- Examine your foundation for signs of termites. A deteriorated
foundation will probably have cracks, air leaks, and drafts.
Add foam sealant to cracks.
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Page: Interior Checklist
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