cheap window air leak fixes

[flying_babyb]

cold window problem here! My window must be leaking air.... SOMEWERE! its been plasticed for winter and my curtains are insluated but its still freezing. I moved the couch which only helped a little since its still on a wall by a window.... HELP!

 

[JR6ooo4]

cold window problem here! My window must be leaking air.... SOMEWERE! its been plasticed for winter and my curtains are insluated but its still freezing. I moved the couch which only helped a little since its still on a wall by a window.... HELP!

You need to find where it is leaking. If it is windy hold a lighter near where you think there might be cracks, the flame will flicker.

you added plastic over the inside already? How far does the plastic wrap around? One place we were at, we put the "magic tape" all the way out on the painted drywall. There were too many leaks around the frame, inside and out.

you can also use a silicone sealer, if you can see the cracks. $1-4 for a tube and a few bucks for a caulk gun.
Mikeeee

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Also look at thermal drapes for those windows. There is an extra thick backing on the fabric that blocks some of the draft. We use those for our sliding glass door since we can't plastic that.

 

[flying_babyb]

I couldnt find thermal drapes in my price range so i took a old quit (nice and thick) and made it into drapes.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I couldnt find thermal drapes in my price range so i took a old quit (nice and thick) and made it into drapes.

Good idea! We looked everywhere and finally found some at JCPenney's online. They weren't cheap!

 

[shortbun]

Get those insulators for your outlets and be sure to weather strip your doors. We jacket our hot water heater and last year we caulked around the outside of all our windows. I have a couch under the front windows in the living room. When I sit on it, the pillows for the couch get leaned on the back of the couch, lol. It breaks the cold barrier. I sit around the house with a blanket and scarf when I'm not moving around. We keep it pretty cold but friends keep their house so cold, I can't stand being there. I mean it's COLD. brrrrrr

 

[flying_babyb]

weather strip falls off my interior door. I have a door snake. I rent so calking isnt quite a possibilty (not that my landlord would care at all). outlet inslators, diddnt think of that but since theres only two outlets its cheap. Anyone know where to get one for a refrigator outlet? Yes I have a refridgator outlet in my living room.

 

[jonestavern]

When you plastic sealed your windows did you use any felt roll or clay coil type of weatherstripping sealing too?
We use the felt weatherstripping which comes in a large roll, either with or w/o adhesive backing. We open the window & put it on the bottom of the window then close tight (it will be somewhat hard to shut). Then we place it between the spot where the single hung windows meet.We add the coiled clay type insulation to the spot where the windows meet in the middle, on everywhere the window meets the frame. Add the clay to the outer edges of the window too. Then plastic seal.
The clay rope type weatherstrip insulation is easily removable. If you do not get the glue backing felt type insulation you'll need to tack it down which you may not want to do in regards to the landlord issues. I've never used it for this but Goop may work to remove any glue residue.
Also you might want to add some Velcro to the curtain & to the window frame or wall in order to close the curtains tighter.

Like shortbun, I also pile throw pillows on the sofa back to keep the drafts off us. I got a cheaper twin electric blanket to use in the family room when it gets bitter.

We live in a 225+ yr old tavern in central New Hampshire. Tonight it is 5 below w/winds from 20 -30 mph, brrr!

Jean

 

[We4mickey]

We use what is called season seal. It is a clear caulk that is removable. You put in around your windows wherever there is an edge/seal. Then in the spring you can just peal it off. It does no damage to the wood. It dries almost to a rubbery consistancy.

 

[DarthKTrava]

I've done the cheapie method of sticking old socks in the one bedroom window that seems to be the most drafty.

We live in an older house that seems to have been crappily remodeled sometime before we moved in nearly 30 years ago. There's NO insulation at all in this place!

I do need to get the caulk gun and caulk around the window frames in the house.

 

[flying_babyb]

Humm might have to make a caluk run and get some window seal. Its freezing in here.

 

[djm99]

FROST KING V75H Indoor Shrink Window Kit

Kit features a crystal clear plastic sheet that shrinks tight and wrinkle free with an ordinary hand held hair dryer. Easily installed on metal, painted or varnished wood or vinyl clad frames with the double-face tape provided. For extra large windows. Includes tape.