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How to identify and fix draughts
Overview
Draughts can be a huge hassle during the colder months of the year – they let in cold air while releasing the warm air you’re working so hard to keep inside. Whether you own your home or are renting, don’t just live with draughts – identify where they’re coming from and fix them. It’s easier than you think – check out our helpful guide to tackling draughts.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs, gloves and mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Tools and materials
Steps
Find draughts with a lit candle
All you need to find a draught is a lit candle. First off, close any windows and turn off appliances that create an air disturbance (bar heaters, for example). Walk around any windows and doors with a lit candle, running it up and down every joint. If the flame flickers or blows out, you’ve found a draught.
Safety tip: Mind the candle flame and hot wax!
Re-caulk windows
Draughts commonly occur at the corner of windows or at the bottom of doors. For window draughts, the best thing to do is to re-caulk the windows. Using a caulking gun and interior sealant, slowly go along the edges of where the window meets the frame. From a styling perspective, ensure you’re using the same colour as the window frame, as this will blend in a lot better.
Place a new weather seal
Another way to fix a draught at a window is to install a new weather seal around each frame before every winter. All you need to do is rip the paper off the back of the seal, place on the edges of the frame and press down. For even more protection, you can also apply weather stripping around the underside of the vent cover.
Use UV silicone to close gaps
Don’t neglect the exterior of your home. Plugging any holes from the outside can also make a difference in stopping draughts. If you have weatherboard cladding, use UV silicone to close any gaps between your external weatherboards and window frames. (It’s the same motion and technique as re-caulking the windows.)
Install a door sweep
A door draught can easily be fixed by installing a door sweep at the bottom of any exterior doors around your home. Not only are door sweeps designed to seal your home against air, but they also provide protection against water and pests. To install this easy D.I.Y. feature, measure and mark the height according to the sweep, pre-drill and then screw into place.
Replace insulation
Removing any old insulation in your home and replacing it with new materials will also work wonders for keeping out draughts. As a rule of thumb, insulation should be replaced every 15 to 20 years, but this depends on a number of factors. If you are feeling a consistent draught from your roof, or if there has been water damage, you may need to act on this sooner.
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More D.I.Y. Advice
Health & Safety
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.