Weatherproofing quick picks
Seal gaps around windows and doors: Frost King High-Density Rubber Foam Weatherstrip Tape
Prevent pipes from freezing: Everbilt Foam Pipe Insulation
Protect your air conditioner: Cosfly Air Conditioner Cover for Outside Units
Fill in gaps around outlets: GE All-Purpose Silicone Caulk
Eliminate buildup in the chimney: Pine Mountain Creosote Buster Chimney Cleaning Safety Firelog
Want to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient ahead of the fall and winter? Consider weatherproofing it. There are plenty of benefits to this home improvement job, including lowering utility bills and making your house more comfortable by keeping out the elements.
Weatherproofing also helps address energy efficiency at its root. It goes hand in hand with choosing the right thermostat system, as well as using space heaters and cooling fans when necessary to create a comfortable indoor environment.
The best part is many weatherproofing projects are ones you can do yourself, without having to hire expensive professionals for the job. We asked experts to share some DIY weatherproofing projects you can take on yourself and what low-cost products they recommend for the job.
Keep reading for 24 weatherproofing products that will save you money, all for under $35.
Why you should weatherproof your home
Weatherproofing serves two primary functions: keeping your home at a comfortable indoor temperature and helping reduce energy use and costs. “Without proper insulation and weatherproofing, you wouldn’t be able to keep your home at a comfortable temperature,” says Niki O’Brien, the operations manager at Custom Exteriors, a Colorado-based exterior remodeling company.
This is especially important in cold weather and cold climates. “A big part of winterizing a house is making sure the heat works well and stays inside,” says Chris Ramos, a Blain’s Farm & Fleet representative. “Winterizing your home means priming it to be energy efficient during the colder months. This means inspecting your plumbing too.”
Cheap ways to weatherproof your home
Inspect and seal windows and doors
“Energy Star estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by adding insulation and air-sealing their homes,” says Courtney Klosterman, a home insights expert at Hippo, a home insurance company. “Sealing windows and doors can also prevent bugs, moisture and other bad weather from entering the home,” she adds.
To properly inspect windows and doors, look for cracks and rot (especially around kick plates, seals and frames) and check to see if you feel a draft. Klosterman also suggests removing the screens from doors and windows if possible to avoid damage from winter weather, including snow buildup.
"In my experience," O'Brien says, "the most affordable way to weatherproof your home is by sealing air gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulking." Frost King's weatherstripping tape features a self-stick application that makes it quick and easy to use.
Maureen McGinn, a merchant of builder's hardware at The Home Depot, recommends this durable weathertight sealant for doors and windows. "It provides outstanding weatherability and high elasticity for flexible joints without cracking or breaking the adhesion bond," she says.
Fire-, mold- and water-resistant foam gaskets are useful around doors and windows. They can be easily adapted to accommodate different dimensions and configurations.
Door sweeps help prevent drafts —?as well as dust, dirt, debris and pests —?from getting inside the home through small cracks at the base of the door. This self-adhesive door sweep takes only minutes to install before it starts reducing drafts in the home.
"Homeowners with older windows will benefit from window-insulation shrink kits," O'Brien says, "which can improve indoor temperature regulation at a very low cost."
"Spray exterior door locks with powdered-graphite lubricant on all locks to prevent sticking," Klosterman recommends, which will ensure the lock is in good working condition.
If an inspection reveals that your window and door locks are damaged beyond repair, install new ones to ensure the seal is tight to protect against drafts and moisture.
Seal small gaps
In addition to doors and windows, there are plenty of small gaps around the home that act as entry points for heat, cold, moisture and critters. Attics and basements are places where structural problems tend to present themselves first. “Attics can be your first sign of issues in the home, like if you notice moisture or discoloration on walls or ceilings,” Klosterman says. “Pests and animals are also known to make their way into attics and potentially cause damage to both your attic and roof.”
Basements and crawl spaces are especially prone to moisture issues, “which can lead to mold and structural damage if not sealed and insulated,” McGinn says. “Other commonly overlooked areas include gaps around electrical outlets, recessed lighting fixtures and chimneys, all of which can allow drafts and moisture to seep in if not properly sealed.”
"Repair leaks with caulk or expanding foam," Klosterman says. This sealant expands up to 1 inch to take the shape of gaps, helping minimize drafts and insect infestations.
Use an all-purpose caulk to mend small gaps in the home to prevent drafts, moisture and pests from entering. Common entry points include the attic, basement and gaps around outlets and fixtures.
Another way to protect the interior of your home from drafts is to install thick curtains or insulating drapes. These can be especially helpful for preventing drafts in winter and protecting against overheating from the sun in summer.
Insulate the furnace, water heater and pipes
“Not only is it important to insulate your home, but you must insulate your pipes in crawl spaces and in your attic,” Klosterman says. Additional ways to protect pipes and plumbing include sealing air leaks, which can lead to frozen pipes, and disconnecting outdoor hoses. “When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip,” she says, “even at a trickle, to help prevent pipes from freezing.”
Use foam pipe insulation to reduce heat loss or heat gain, which will make the inside temperature of your home more comfortable and maximize energy savings. Pipe insulation also helps protect against mold and energy loss in certain types of piping.
Ramos recommends using pipe-heating cables to prevent pipes from freezing and to help thaw pipes if they do freeze.
Another inexpensive way to weatherproof your home is to replace your furnace filter. "You should replace furnace filters frequently to allow your heating and cooling systems to operate properly," Ramos says.
Use a water heater insulation blanket to wrap the water heating unit, protecting it from freezing temperatures. Make sure to measure your water heater to ensure you buy the right size, and wear work gloves, goggles and a mask when installing the fiberglass insulation.
Another way to protect pipes is to use a programmable thermostat to maintain a relatively consistent indoor temperature. "Even if you’re accustomed to turning your heat down at night," Klosterman says, "try to keep a slightly elevated ambient temperature during the day and night. Major drops in temperature overnight could result in frozen pipes."
Check the HVAC system
“In addition to minimizing wear and tear, regular checks and maintenance help your HVAC system operate smoothly and help maintain good air circulation in your home,” Klosterman says. “Plus, one-time HVAC maintenance calls cost about $99 on average, but repairs and replacement costs vary greatly based on what’s needed.” She recommends turning off the HVAC system; checking air ducts for dust, dirt and fur; and cleaning if needed.
In addition to cleaning vents, Klosterman recommends replacing or upgrading all HVAC filters to keep systems in good working order. Air filters should be changed every two to three months in spring and fall, and once a month in the summer and winter months, when outdoor temperatures are at their most extreme.
If your home has an external air-conditioning unit, you should also clean it as part of your overall HVAC maintenance routine. Then cover the outdoor condenser unit to protect it against the elements.
Clean and repair gutters and downspouts
When it comes to the exterior of the home, simple weatherproofing projects can prevent expensive disasters down the line. “Clogged gutters and downspouts prevent water from draining away from your roof and siding. In the winter, trapped water can freeze and expand,” Klosterman says. “On top of paying to repair your gutters, you can also deal with issues like mold, foundation damage or roof damage.”
"You want to make sure your gutters are clear before winter hits," Ramos says. "If they’re clogged, snow won’t be able to drain properly." Use a gutter cleaning tool to quickly clear away leaves, debris and buildup, and then flush the gutters with a hose.
"You can also install gutter guards to protect them and keep them from getting clogged," Ramos says. Using gutter guards will help minimize debris in the drains.
As you clean the gutters, perform a visual inspection to identify any tears or holes. Use a patch kit to repair and seal any gaps.
Inspect the roof, foundation, chimney and fireplace
“Fall is the time to think ahead to the snow, wind, rain and everything else winter can throw at your home,” Klosterman says. “Prioritizing maintenance now for the most costly areas to repair, like your roof and HVAC system, can help you scale back on unexpected expensive repairs in the winter.”
"Checking the roof for damaged shingles or flashing is crucial to avoid leaks," McGinn says, "while inspecting and sealing cracks in the foundation helps keep out moisture and pests. Additionally, sealing vents, pipes and electrical outlets that lead outside is important to prevent air and water from entering."
Klosterman recommends cleaning the fireplace and the surrounding area to weatherproof your home, as well as checking for blockages and creosote buildup in the chimney and flue. "Leaves, bird nests and other debris can collect in your chimney if it’s not regularly cleaned," she says. "These materials are highly combustible and increase your risk of a house fire."
To eliminate creosote buildup and protect your home against chimney fires, add a creosote cleaning log to the fire once a year, or once every 40 fires.
Besides cleaning, Klosterman says checking for cracks on your fireplace and chimney is important too. "Consider installing a chimney cap to keep out drafts, pests and animals, debris and moisture."
