Unexpected Summer Tips Part 4: Sealing
Sealing your home to prevent cool air from escaping is easier and cheaper than you think!
This summer series is brought to you by Austin-based Home Inspector Butch Gilley. Inspect with Precision aims to deliver bite-sized tips that are simple and affordable that can be taken week after week to summer-proof your home for 100+ degree weather.
Doors and windows are some of the biggest places in a home where hot air can invade during the summer time— but the number one door & area to seal might be an unexpected one.
Check the Door to Your Garage
Sealing the door to your attached garage is a top priority if you’re looking to increase energy efficiency in your home. Even if there is no light coming through, you’ll want to feel around the door frame for areas of heat to identify gaps.
Check Your Front and Back Doors
The second place is the more obvious; checking front and back doors for light & heat is a great way to identify low-hanging fruit to fix.
Three Options
Option 1: Insert a weatherstrip
A weatherstrip is a quick way to close drafts on older doors that works for the long term. While it’s a bit time intensive, it is simple and solves most problems related to drafts from doors. You’ll need a drill, weatherstrips (which are usually under $10), and screws.
Option 2: Adjust the door hinges and pate
Sometimes, the issue isn’t the frame, it’s the door itself. If you press on your door a bit more and the light shining through the gap disappears and the gap closes, you’ll want to move the door so it can get closer to the frame and close properly. Luckily you can accomplish this with a quick tutorial like the one below:
Option 3: Supplement or replace the seal
This option is the quickest and lasts the shortest— just until the 3M adhesive on the back wears off. Most people use foam seals or a similar material to adhere to the frame so the door cap is sealed. There are many custom options for corner gaps, longer gaps, or gaps along the bottom of the door. A quick google search will show options for foam strips that you can tape on to directly seal the gaps.
These changes will have a big impact on your energy bill this summer, especially if you’re seeing light coming in through your door frames.
That’s it for this week’s tips. Did you try any for yourself? Drop us a line or let us know on any of our social media accounts.
If you’re interested in taking the stress out of your home Central Texas home inspection, schedule your inspection with Butch from Precision Property Inspections here.