Drafts in your home aren’t just uncomfortable; they drive up heating bills and can signal deeper issues with insulation or construction. If you’re wondering why your house feels colder than it should, the problem is often surprisingly easy to identify – and even easier to fix. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits, according to contractors and weatherization specialists.
Hidden Draft Sources: The Usual Suspects
Many drafts come from overlooked areas, such as electrical outlets, gaps in flooring, and unsealed penetrations in walls. These are often the first places to check when dealing with a cold house.
Outlet Leaks: A Shockingly Simple Fix
Electrical outlets are a common source of drafts. The gaps around the faceplates allow cold air to seep in. The solution? Socket sealers are inexpensive and easy to install, fitting snugly behind the outlet cover to block airflow.
Gapped Floorboards: An Old-House Problem
Older homes with gaps in floorboards are prone to drafts, especially if the subflooring isn’t properly sealed. Area rugs provide instant insulation and can quickly address this issue.
Leaky Penetrations: Where Pipes & Wires Enter
Houses are full of holes for pipes, wires, and vents. These penetrations are often left unsealed during construction or the sealant deteriorates over time. Caulk or low-expansion spray foam effectively seals these openings, preventing drafts.
Insulation Issues: The Core of the Problem
Poorly installed or failing insulation is a major source of drafts. This can stem from improper sizing, detached vapor barriers, or simply not enough insulation in the first place.
Failed Insulation: A Hidden Weakness
If your walls feel cold despite having insulation, the problem could be improper installation. Adding insulation in accessible areas (attics, crawl spaces, open walls) is straightforward. For closed walls, a professional can blow in additional insulation on top of what’s already there.
Obvious Draft Sources: Doors, Windows, & More
Doors and windows are the most obvious culprits, but often the easiest to fix.
Windows & Doors: A Quick Fix for Energy Waste
Draft seals installed around doors and windows significantly reduce energy loss. This simple fix can lower heating bills by minimizing the need to constantly adjust the thermostat.
Attic Leaks: Heat Rises, So Does the Problem
The attic is a primary source of heat loss. Heated air rises, and poorly insulated attics allow this heat to escape. Seal gaps around light fixtures, vent pipes, and wires with caulk or expanding foam.
Open Dampers: A Chimney’s Double-Edged Sword
A fireplace damper left open acts as a direct pathway for cold air to enter the house. Always ensure the damper is closed after use. If it still leaks, consider a chimney balloon, an inflatable device that seals the flue.
Recessed Lights: A Ceiling’s Weak Spot
Recessed lights create holes in the ceiling, allowing drafts from the attic to enter. Install insulated, airtight covers over the fixtures in the attic, or use IC-rated (insulation-contact) lights that can be safely covered with insulation.
Unexpected Draft Sources: Plumbing & Foundation
Some drafts come from surprising places.
Empty Plumbing Traps: A Sewer Gas Leak?
If you smell sewer gas with the draft, your plumbing drain traps might be dry. Flush toilets and run water in sinks, tubs, and showers to refill the traps and create a water seal.
House Settling: Cracks in the Foundation
Older homes settle over time, creating hairline cracks in walls and around windows. Seal these cracks with flexible caulk for smaller gaps, and expanding foam for larger ones.
In conclusion: Drafts are a common problem, but often have straightforward solutions. By addressing these hidden and obvious sources, homeowners can significantly improve comfort, lower energy bills, and ensure their homes are properly sealed against the elements.
