Most winter heating loss doesn't come from a single big problem — it comes from a handful of small gaps that are cheap and quick to fix if you catch them before the cold arrives. Here's what to check.
Check doors and windows for drafts
Run your hand around the frame of exterior doors and windows on a breezy day. Any spot where you can feel air movement is a spot losing heat all winter. Worn weatherstripping is usually the culprit and is one of the cheapest fixes on this list — a roll of replacement strip costs a fraction of what the wasted heat does.
Recaulk gaps around trim and siding
Caulk around window and door trim, siding seams, and where pipes or wires enter the house shrinks and cracks over a few years of temperature swings. Once it cracks, it stops blocking air and moisture the way it's supposed to. A quick walk around the exterior with a caulk gun addresses most of these before winter moisture gets behind the siding.
Inspect the attic hatch and outlets
Attic access hatches and exterior-wall electrical outlets are two commonly overlooked draft sources. An attic hatch without a gasket can leak as much air as a window left cracked open, and foam outlet gaskets behind switch plates are a five-minute fix that noticeably cuts drafts in older homes.
Don't forget the garage door
If the garage is attached to the house, worn bottom seal or side weatherstripping on the garage door lets cold air into a space that often isn't well insulated to begin with — and that cold then works its way into adjoining rooms.
When it's worth bringing in help
Small caulking and weatherstripping jobs are approachable DIY projects, but if you're finding drafts in multiple rooms or dealing with older windows that won't seal no matter what you try, it's often more cost-effective to have someone assess the whole house at once rather than chasing drafts room by room.
We handle weatherproofing and general home maintenance across the St. Louis metro. Get a free quote and we'll walk the exterior with you before the cold sets in.