Leaky & Drafty Windows Repair Guide

One of the biggest problems we have in the winter is the home energy bill. Every year it seems like the cost of heating our homes is getting more and more expensive. There may be plenty of reasons why you are losing the heat from your home. The most popular reason is that your home has leaky windows.

It is a good idea to take care of those problems before winter starts. There are many different ways to seal up a leaky window.If replacing your windows is not feasible right now there are some other tried and true methods. Here are some less expensive and effective ways to fix your leaky windows.

The three most popular ways is to use a Window Sealant Kit, Instant Foam, Heavy Curtains and Storm Windows. Let’s take a look and see which method can help you save money this winter.

How To Install The Window Sealant Kit

The typical window sealant kit is the kind that comes with double sticky adhesive tape and plastic sheeting that is placed over the windows. The way this Window Sealant Kit Works is by using a dust rag, remove all of the dust from around the windows. Then by using the double-sided sticky tape, peel of from the roll very carefully. Line the window frame with the tape; make sure that you are close as you can to the glass of the window.

Then you will take the plastic sheeting from the Window Sealant Kit and carefully lay the sheet out flat. This is important since you want to cover the entire window with the window sealant kit. Sometimes the plastic will stick to itself. Once you have the plastic sheet laid out, carefully adhere the plastic sheet to the tape. It is easier if you have a friend or two help you. Once you have secured the plastic sheet from the window sealant kit to the tape, you will need a hair dryer. Start blowing the plastic sheeting you just placed around the window. The heat from the hair dryer will shrink the plastic around the window, creating a seal. This seal will block out any air from the outside from getting in and any heat from the inside from getting out.

How To Use Instant Foam Sealant

Another great way and less expensive way to seal up your windows at home is to use an instant foam sealant. There are many of these instant foam sealants on the market; one of them is the Great Stuff Big Gap Filler. You have to be very careful before you use this product since it is a glue-based formula. The use is easy, the first thing you will want to do is clear away any dust or debris from around the window area. Then you want to read the can because most foam sealants grow 2 or 3 times the size once you expel the foam sealant from the can.

Keep all window instant foam sealants away from children at all times. Using the spray aim for the area of the window where you want to seal and slowly expel the foam from the can. There is no need to use a lot of it, as we mentioned it will grow 2 times bigger than its original size. Once you have filled in all of the gaps around the window, do not touch! Remember the instant foam is a glue like substance and it will stick to your hands and close very quickly. If you have furniture around, make sure that you cover it with plastic or an item that you don’t mind throwing it out if you get the sealant on it. The instant foam will be completely set in a few hours. If there is excess foam, using a butter knife or paint scraper, remove the excess instant foam.

How Heavy Curtains Can Prevent Drafts

One of the safest methods of creating a fix for leaky windows are heavy curtains. There are actually curtains that are specifically made to help keep the heat inside during the cold winter months. If you have curtains already and your energy bills were high, then you will need something else. You can find these heavy curtains at your local Wal-Mart or Target. Curtains like Black Out Curtains are a good idea as well, they are also called Thermal Insulated Drapes. These heavy curtains are a good idea when you want to keep the heat in and the cold out.

Most heavy curtains are made with a waffle design; these will help keep sunlight out as well. These curtains are solid curtains, meaning that they do not have slots that separate them. They are a solid design, which are a great help with keeping in your heat. You would be surprised at how much money you could save with heavy curtains. The best part about using this method to help with your leaky windows is that it is very inexpensive and they look great in your home.

How to Use & Operate Storm Windows

One of the best ways to keep your windows from leaking is storm windows. Most homes already come with them but they are rarely used. The storm window is extra protection when it comes to keeping out the cold air as well as the snow from reaching your window. As soon as the weather starts to turn colder, remove the screens from the windows and install or bring down the storms. You should double check your storms and make sure that they are installed properly and securely. Even storm windows will leak if they are not secured properly. A lot of the newer storm windows are designed with energy efficiency. These windows are affordable and can be found in any home improvement store. By installing storm windows you can really start saving money right away. They are very affordable and will fit most windows.

It is always a good idea to winterize your home for the winter. One of these ways is to get leaky windows ready for winter. Winter is typically when your heating bills and energy bills start to climb. If you are looking for a way to save money on your bills then you should be doing something about it. By using each of these methods either individually or in combination with each other you will see savings on your very first energy bill of the season. All of these remedies can be found in your local Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe’s or Home Depot location. Make sure that any remedy that you choose is the right size for your windows.