How to Seal an Air Leak in Eaves

Cracks can become prevalent in the eave of a house.

Air leaks in eaves can cause cold drafts to enter your house in the winter and warm air to come in during the summer months. The eave is the area where the roof meets the top of the side of the house. This can not only make the temperature in your house uncomfortable, but it can also lead to higher energy bills. Leaks in the eaves can be caused by cracks in the top of the house or gaps that were not properly sealed. This problem can easily be solved with the help of some silicone sealant.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Ruler
• White chalk
• Silicone sealant
• Caulk gun
• Utility knife
• Polyurethane spray foam

Instructions

1. Locate the gaps along the eave on the outside of your house. You'll need to climb a ladder to do the inspection. Measure the size and width of each gap and mark the locations with white chalk. Move the ladder and continue all around the house.

2. Insert a tube of silicone sealant into a caulk gun. Slide it into place and press down firmly to lock it in the gun. Cut off the end of the silicone sealant along the nozzle with a utility knife. Cut at a slight upward angle.

3. Press the trigger and run a bead of silicone sealant along all the cracks and gaps narrower than 1/4 inch along the eave of the house. Cover the gap with a small bead and move around the entire house until all the gaps and cracks smaller than 1/4 inch are covered.

4. Spray polyurethane foam into all of the gaps with widths between 1/4 inch and 3 inches. Connect the plastic nozzle to the top of the can and press down. Squirt a bead into the gap and move around the entire perimeter of the house until all the gaps are filled.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be careful when you are working outside on a ladder. Ensure it is on steady and stable ground when in use.

References

• "houselogic"; 8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House; Jeanne Huber; September 2009