I Cant Afford New Replacement Windows This Year, What Should I Do?

Properly sealing cracks and openings in any Minnesota home can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment.

Caulking and Weatherstripping Will Help

All Minnesota Home Performance Contractor’s agree on one thing, caulking and weatherstripping—two simple air sealing techniques—will pay for themselves in energy savings within one year. caulking and weatherstripping will also eliminate drafts and help your home feel warmer when our Minnesota winter sets in and it’s cold outside.

Detecting Energy & Money Wasting Air Leaks

You may already know where some air leakage occurs in your home, such as an under your exterior doors and windows, but you’ll need to find the less obvious gaps to properly air seal your home.

There are several ways to find air leaks in your Minnesota home yourself. First, look at areas where different materials meet, between brick and wood siding, between foundation and walls, and between the chimney and siding. Also inspect around the following areas for any cracks and gaps that could cause air leaks:

• Door and window frames
• Mail chutes
• Electrical and gas service entrances
• Cable TV and phone lines
• Outdoor water faucets
• Where dryer vents pass through walls
• Bricks, siding, stucco, and foundation
• Air conditioners
• Vents and fans.

Caulking Minnesota Windows

Caulk forms a flexible seal for cracks, gaps, or joints less than 1-quarter-inch wide. You can use a caulking compound to seal air leaks in a variety of places throughout your home, including around windows and door frames.

In addition to sealing air leaks, caulking can also prevent water damage inside and outside of the home when applied around faucets, ceiling fixtures, water pipes, drains, bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures.

Window Caulk Selection

Most caulking compounds come in disposable cartridges that fit in half-barrel caulking guns. Some pressurized cartridges do not require caulking guns. When deciding how much caulking to purchase, consider that you’ll probably need a half-cartridge per window or door and four cartridges for the foundation sill. Caulking compounds can also be found in aerosol cans, squeeze tubes, and ropes for small jobs or special applications.

Caulking compounds vary in strength, properties, and prices. Water-based caulk can be cleaned with water, while solvent-based compounds require a solvent for cleanup.

Application Of Caulk

Although not a high-tech operation, caulking can be tricky. Read and follow the instructions on the compound cartridge. Save yourself some trouble by remembering a few important tips:

Before applying new caulk, remove old caulk or paint residue remaining around a window using a putty knife, stiff brush, or special solvent. After old caulk is removed, new caulk can then be applied to all joints in the window frame and the joint between the frame and the wall. The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45°F (7.2°C). Low humidity is important during application to prevent cracks from swelling with moisture. Warm temperatures are also necessary so the caulk will set properly and adhere to the surface.