Home Window Check Up Tips

For your home to keep running smoothly, it needs regular checkups and maintenance —and the best way to check for any potential maintenance issues is to run an annual home check. Since your windows provide possible passage for unwanted air leaks, it is essential that you check and make sure everything is working correctly. If you don’t know, you can easily prevent drafty cold spots in your house and also save money on your monthly utility bills by just checking and sealing the air leaks around your home windows. 

However, knowing where to check for those tiny air leaks that prevent your home from being energy-efficient is the key to success when tackling issues like this. Here are some simple tips for checking your windows and doors:

•   Take Your Time

Starting with a detailed visual inspection from both the in and out of your home is very important when checking your home windows for air leaks. When checking the outside, you should check for gaps between the windows and sliding that might be caused by cracks and old caulking has failed. If you have windows with single paned windows then be on the lookout for damaged glazing; the glazing is the hard putty that holds each pane of glass in place. If you find out that your window is not tightly sealed against air inflation, then your home is vulnerable to heat loss. When checking the inside part of your home, make sure the weather stripping around the windows is adequately fitted and look out for daylight signs.

•   Smoke Test

In some cases, you don’t need this step as many problem areas are apparent enough. But, in cases where the signs cannot be easily spotted, then a good way to detect this leaks is by using smoke test. To do this, close all the windows and doors in your home and also turn off your smoke detector, to avoid unwanted alarms. TO check for air licks kindly lit an incense stick close to the windows and check for any leakage. You can get someone to be on the other side to check. IF there is no smoke leakage, then you can assume that your windows don't lick.

•   Get Technical

You might want to call on the service of a professional for this. But, if you know about handling technical issues, then you can get an infrared thermometer at a store close to you. The infrared thermometer can help you measure the ambient air temperatures around window frames. For example, if there is a leak around the frame that leak cold inside your home, the thermometer will register the detection of colder temperatures, indicating the area that might be licking this cold into your home.