Caulking & Weatherstripping to Stop Drafts

Sealing drafts is cheap and cuts heating and cooling costs. Two materials do the work: caulk for gaps that don't move, weatherstripping for moving parts (doors, windows).

Find the leaks

• On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near frames and feel for movement
• Look for daylight around doors and attic hatches
• Check where pipes, wires, and vents pass through walls

Choose caulk

• Acrylic latex (paintable): indoor gaps around trim and baseboards
• Silicone: kitchen, bath, and outdoor — flexible and waterproof
• Polyurethane / elastomeric: larger outdoor gaps
• For gaps wider than 1/4 inch, fill with backer rod first, then caulk

Lay a clean bead

1. Clean and dry the surface; remove old caulk.
2. Tape both sides of the joint with painter's tape for a crisp line.
3. Cut the tip of the tube at a 45° angle, slightly smaller than the gap.
4. Push, don't pull — move the gun slowly to force caulk into the joint.
5. Smooth with a wet finger or smoothing tool.
6. Pull the tape immediately while the caulk is wet.

Weatherstripping doors

• V-strip or foam tape along the frame stops
• Door sweep at the bottom — there should be no light showing when closed
• Check the threshold for adjustability

Caulk shrinks as it cures. Re-check exterior caulk each fall and touch up gaps before winter.