How to Find and Fix Air Leaks Around the House

Stop letting money slip through the cracks in your house by finding and fixing those air leaks. This is a simple pressurized test that anyone can do to discover where cold air leaks are within their home. And once those air leaks are discovered, find out how to fix them with the easy DIY way.

Conduct a Pressurized Test

Prepare for the pressurized test by closing all the windows and doors. Close the fireplace flu and turn off all gas stoves and hot water heaters and any other combustion appliance.

Turn on all exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms and leave them on to suck all the air out of the rooms.

Wet your hand, pat off any excess water with a paper towel. Your damp hand will now become the tool that discovers air leaks. Run your damp hand around windows, doors, baseboards, wall outlets, recessed lighting fixtures and fireplaces. Write down any location where your hand feels patches of air that is cooler than the rest of the room. The air temperature drop is caused by an air leak and here are the easy DIY fixes.

Fix Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows

Seal interior gaps with weather stripping and/or caulking. Hang shades or insulated curtains over windows to further stop air leaks. Check the exterior of doors and windows and replace any old or cracked weather stripping and caulking.

Replacing old windows with more energy efficient windows is a big upfront expense, but worth the investment in the long run. If the budget won't allow for full replacement windows, low-E (low Emissivity) storm windows may be a budget friendly option.

Fix Air Leaks Around Baseboards

From the inside, gently pry off the shoe molding, apply caulk underneath the baseboard, then re-install the shoe molding. If you still feel cold air, fix the air leak from outside with a can pf spray foam insulation. Spray the foam insulation under the house siding right where it meets the house foundation.

Stop Cold Air Around Electrical Outlets

Cut off the power supply to the electric outlets and light switches before you begin. Remove the outlet covers and switch plates, then remove the electrical boxes. Tuck a piece of insulation behind them and replace electrical boxes and covers.

Clear Caulk and Spray Foam Insulation

For all other air leaks discovered in your home during the pressurized test, clear caulk or spray foam insulation will fix it. Use clear caulk on any visible area and use spray foam in any hard-to-reach area to stop all air leaks around the house.