5 Easy Ways To Block Drafts and Improve Your Home’s Insulation

Keeping your home warm and cozy during the colder months doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. There are several simple Home Insulation Solutions you can implement yourself to help block drafts and increase the overall efficiency of your home. By sealing air leaks and adding insulation in key areas, you can significantly cut down on energy costs without major renovations.
Check Your Gutters
Clogged or damaged gutters are one of the most common sources of drafts around your home. When gutters don’t drain properly, water can overflow and seep behind siding and into attics and basements. This constant moisture leads to rot, mold growth, and degraded insulation effectiveness over time.
Make sure to clean out your gutters at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. Clear away any leaves, debris, or buildup that is blocking proper drainage. Also inspect the gutters for any holes, cracks, or other damage. Repair or replace problem areas before winter arrives. Keeping gutters flowing freely is an easy home insulation solution that prevents far more serious issues down the road.
Weather-strip Around Doors and Windows
Drafts from leaky doors and windows account for a significant amount of heat loss in many homes. Fortunately, adding weather-stripping is a simple fix that just about anyone can do. Make sure to inspect all exterior doors and check for gaps around the frames. Apply self-adhesive foam or vinyl weather-stripping to create an air-tight seal. For windows, check that the sashes meet tightly when closed and weather-strip as needed. You can also install window insulation kits with plastic film and bubble wrap to provide an extra barrier against drafts.
Add Caulk Around Exterior Walls (Home)
Caulk is your friend when it comes to sealing air leaks. Look for cracks or openings around your home’s siding, stairs, electrical outlets, vents, attic hatches – really anywhere two different materials meet on an exterior surface. Clean out old caulk with a utility knife and apply new silicone or acrylic latex caulk to form an impenetrable barrier. This is another simple project you can do yourself on a weekend. It’s astonishing how many drafts exist in tiny openings you may not even realize are there.
Caulk Basement Walls and Floors
Like attics, many basements lose heat and reduce comfort due to cracks and gaps. A drafty basement allows conditioned air to escape and colder outside air to infiltrate your home. Take time to fully inspect and caulk all penetrations through concrete walls or the floor rim joists above. Laying a poly vapor barrier over dirt floors also eliminates moisture wicking. It’s also important to have proper drainage and perimeter insulation installed around the exterior of basement walls. Direct sunken light wells away from the house with gravel.
Plug Minor Air Leaks Indoors (Home)
While the focus is often on exterior sealing, there are drafts lurking indoors too. Outlets, light switches, plumbing penetrations – anything that goes through walls can let conditioned air circulate behind surfaces. Get into the habit of looking for drafts throughout your home and using caulk or foam sealant to plug inconspicuous gaps. It’s also wise to seal recessed lights that are no longer airtight with insulation kits. Ditto for larger openings around attic doors, dropped ceilings in bathrooms, and crawl space accesses inside the house envelope.