Caulking and Sealing Your Home

Keeping the inside in and the outside out

The time and money you invest in weather-stripping and caulking windows and doors can pay off faster than almost any other home improvement you can make, even when your house is already well insulated. From 15 to 60 percent of the heating and cooling your house needs is due to air exchange. Warming the air that leaks into the house in winter, or, conversely, cooling the air that leaks into it in the summer, takes energy and costs you money. In addition to the benefits of energy savings, caulking is the easiest and best way to prevent water intrusion, which can lead to rot, decay, mold and termite infestation.

Where to Caulk: Exterior

Sealing exterior cracks and seams is an important part of home  maintenance. It reduces entry of air, dirt, and moisture into the house and contributes to lower heating and cooling costs.  Among the most important exterior areas of a house requiring attention are:    

• Joints between chimney and siding
• Joints between eaves and gable molding
• Joints between window sill and siding
• Joints between window drip cap and siding
• Joints between window sash and siding
• Joints between windows and masonry
• Door frames
• Joints between masonry or concrete parts (steps, porches, etc.) and main part of house
• Inside corners formed by siding
• Any and all penetration through the exterior veneer 

Where to Caulk:  Interior
Sealing each room on the inside is the only way to prevent jets of air from coming inside. A good interior caulking job will increase the comfort of your home immeasurably. You may find gaps so wide that foam caulk is required. Tape a piece of tissue or plastic wrap to a pencil and check the following places for air leaks:   

• Where pipes enter
• Where vents exit
• Around duct vents
• Between fireplace and walls
• Between sheets of paneling
• Baseboards (even if you have wall-to-wall carpeting)
• Door frames
• Windows
• Fur downs
• Built-in cabinets
• Inside closets

Outlets and Switchplates (Gaskets for outlets and switchplates can help prevent air leakage through the walls. Several types are now available and are easily installed. Remember to cut off electricity to the switch to prevent a shock hazard.)