Guides4Homeowners Useful Information & Guides
Whether it’s air or water leak, you need to make sure that your windows are properly sealed. You wouldn’t want the air to enter your home, especially during the winter season, as you’ve probably spent your hard-earned money heating your home only to find it’s all escaping through a small gap in your window sealant, but also in summer as you might get bugs trying to get in!
You have to test your home windows for leaks because it can mean you lose heat which will drive up your energy bills at significantly more cost to you.
To save money and avoid paying high energy expenses, here are a couple of ways to seal your home windows.
Steps to DIY Window Sealing
For those who want to seal their own home windows and save a bit of money, you can do it yourself and it’s fairly easy. It can be done in three simple steps.
- Test for leaks
- Prepare your window for a retouch
- Apply new glazing and caulk
The first step is testing your window for air leaks. During winter, you may feel drafts of cold air flowing through your windows. To test exactly where this is coming from you can get a candle, light it, and hold it close to your window. If the flame moves or bends, it means that there is air movement from outside. You should do the same thing to check all your windows around the house.
To prepare your window for retouching, check the outside frame of your window. Usually, exterior caulk and glazing dry out because of heat. If you see that there are cracks and gaps, there is a big possibility that they are letting water or air into your house. Scrape away old caulk and glazing so you can apply a new coating.
Materials and tools such Silicone Remover & Silicone Jointing Tool, Multifunctional 8 in 1 Professional Silicone Tool Scraper Set
The last step is applying the new glazing and caulk. Ensure that the surfaces where you will put the new sealant is clean and dust-free. Typically, window glazing is in little tubs and tubes. If you will apply it to small spaces, it is best to buy the one in a tub and use a scraper so you can squeeze the glazing and make a tight seal. It will take a few days to dry, so make sure you don’t touch it in the meantime.
Next, apply the caulk using a caulk gun. Note that caulks are usually in tubes so you really need the gun to make the application more convenient. You also have to cut the tip at an angle that will fit into your window seam. Fill the spaces and wait for approximately 15 hours to dry.
Struggling? Call a sealant company
Since not everyone is into DIY, calling a sealant company is another option. You won’t have to undergo all the steps if there is someone who will do the work for you. Just make sure to find a company that you can afford sealing should be relatively inexpensive!
