How to Find Air Leaks Around Windows & Doors

You can find out if there are any leaks around your windows and doors by completing a few easy tests. All leaks should be sealed to prevent the heat from leaving your home. A home that has leaks has the potential to increase your heating and cooling bills. Some leaks are not visible which means you have to search them out. Sealing a leak is not very costly and will not take too much time.

Things You'll Need

• candle
• flashlight

Instructions

1. Look around the edges of your doors and windows for visible signs of deterioration, rotting and holes in the wood and surrounding area. These are the obvious leaks that need to be sealed. Once the surface has been scraped and cleaned sufficiently, putty should be applied to the surface and then smoothed over. This will give the area around the windows and doors a smooth texture.

2. Place your finger along the edges of the windows and doors. Check the bottom of the door as well. You will be able to feel any cool area coming inside the windows and doors. Run your finger along all of the sides and edges. Your fingers will be sensitive to the cool air. It should be easy to detect if any air is coming through any part of the windows and doors.

3. Light a candle and let it stay lit for a few minutes. Now blow the candle light out and you will be able to see the smoke. Now hold the candle around the edges, sides and top of the doors and windows. The smoke will start to blow in the same direction that the air is blowing if there is a leak.

4. Get someone to go outside. While they are on the outside take a flashlight and shine it around the edges of the window and doors. If the light penetrates and shines through on the inside of the house you have some leaks that need to be sealed. Do this same process near all areas of your doors and windows to make sure you can find all of the leaks.

5. Take a piece of paper and lay it on the floor in the doorway. Close the door on the paper. Now pull the paper from between the floor and the door. If you are able to perform this task without the paper ripping, you have an air leak that needs to be sealed.

6. Sit by your windows on a cool, breezy day. You will be able to tell if you have a leak because you will feel the cool air coming through any cracks. Chances are the air will blow right into your face.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not comfortable checking for leaks you may want to call a professional to handle the job.

References

• find leaks around doors and windows
• detecting air leaks