How You Apply Weatherstripping And Caulking Affects Your Level Of Success

In Northwest Arkansas, summer temperatures and humidity levels soar. If your home is not well sealed around windows, doors and in other areas where there may be cracks, holes or gaps, the sticky, hot outdoor air can seep into your home. That makes for a very uncomfortable indoor environment. Therefore, it’s essential to apply weatherstripping and caulking in these areas, not only for your comfort, but to conserve energy and reduce your energy spending, as well.

It isn’t enough to slap up a piece of weatherstripping, and call it done. If it is installed properly, you can have a tight, energy-efficient home where the cool, conditioned air stays in — and the hot, humid air stays outside, where it belongs.

How should you apply weatherstripping and caulking for the greatest benefit? Here are a few tips:

• Choose the type of compound that’s suitable for applying caulking around windows. Silicone and butyl rubber are good choices for this application.
• Clean the area you plan to caulk carefully, as caulk will not adhere well otherwise. Remove any old paint or caulk, and dry the area before you begin. When applying caulk, hold the caulking gun at a 45 degree angle. Try to avoid stopping and starting again, and apply in a straight, continuous line. When finished, check both sides of the crack to ensure the gap is filled, and that it adheres on both sides.
• Ensure that your doors and windows will open and shut easily when you apply weatherstripping. It should provide a good seal when the window or door is closed.
• Clean and dry surfaces prior to applying weatherstripping. For best results, the temperature should be above 20 degrees.
• Measure twice, cut once. Before you ever make a cut, measure the area to be stripped twice. Apply the strip against both surfaces until the fit is snug. When applied correctly, the weatherstripping material will compress when the door or window is closed.

This summer, keep the cool air in and the hot air out while enjoying substantial savings on energy costs. Have questions about how to apply weatherstripping? Give Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal a call today. We’re happy to help!

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about applying weatherstripping and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Paschal Heating, Air & Geothermal services Northwest Arkansas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!