Caulking and Weatherstripping

First of all, check all doors and windows foe weatherstripping and tightness of fit. If they are not tightly fitting, the doors and windows will lose heat and cause uncomfortable drafts. Moreover, all window sashes, exterior and interior doors or hatches leading to unheated ares – attic, basement or crawlspace, for instance – should be weatherstripped on their sides, tops and bottoms. Check the condition of the weatherstripping material on a regular basis, because in time some types of weatherstripping will deteriorate, wear, tear or crack and require replacement.

The best time to check the condition of the caulking on the exterior joints is during your energy audit. Pay particular attention to the joints between the exterior siding and the door and window frames, the joints at the inside and outside corners formed by exterior siding, the ones just under the bottom side of the exterior siding at the foundation wall, the joints between different siding materials, the ones where the chimney meets the siding, and, lastly, the joints where storm windows meet the window frame (except for drain holes at the windowsill). The joints should be recaulked if the caulking is too old, brittle, broken or missing. All exterior joints should be checked on an annual basis, especially since fuel costs keep surging.

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