How to Find Air and Water Leaks in Windows and Doors

Higher cooling costs are, more or less, a given in summer. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to reduce your power bill. Insufficient ventilation and an ill-suited roofing system are usually to blame for spikes in power consumption. But there’s another thing homeowners overlook—their windows and doors. 

Cool air may have been leaking out of gaps in your windows and doors while warm air enters through cracks, increasing the strain on your HVAC system. How then can you know if these leaks are to blame for rising power costs? The commercial roofing contractors at Larry Walty Roofing share some tips below. 

Shut all the openings in your home, including windows, doors, air vents and dampers. Afterward, light an incense stick and hold it near your windows and doors. If there are any unknown openings or leaks, smoke from the incense should drift in their direction. 

The next step would be to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. Large cracks should be easy enough to pinpoint. Tinier cracks, on the other hand, are harder to find, but pointing a flashlight at your windows and doors at night should do the trick. Light, as well as water, should be able to pass through even the tiniest of cracks. 

If you can’t find any cracks, the locking mechanism may be the problem. Try shaking the window frame gently and see if there’s a rattling noise. A rattling noise indicates your windows aren’t completely shut, creating gaps that serve as an entry point for warm air and potentially water as well. 

For doors, check if the hinges are screwed tightly and the entire door is the right fit. If it isn’t, you’d need to replace it. Whether you need new windows or doors installed or roof repair work done, it’s always a good idea to hire a certified and experienced contractor. 

Haven’t found an experienced and certified contractor in your area yet? 

Larry Walty Roofing, a family-owned contractor with an OSHA certification and more than three decades’ worth of experience, offers window installation and commercial roof repair services. To get a free estimate, call us at (316) 779-2058 or leave us a message on this form. We serve homeowners in Andover, KS. 

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