A day spent closing up those energy-wasting gaps and cracks around your Pembroke Pines home will pay back great dividends in improved comfort and lower utility bills.
You will need only a few tools and supplies for this project:
- Caulking Gun. For most of the gaps you'll encounter, caulking will do the trick, so first you'll want to invest in a good caulking gun. You can get a cheap one with a fixed barrel and a ratcheting plunger, but they don't work well, and tend to apply an uneven bead. For a little more money, you can get a gun with a rotating barrel and a couple of movable plates that grip a smooth plunger rod. The result is a caulking gun that's much easier to use, with less jamming and a much smoother bead. Since a caulking gun will last most people a lifetime, it's well worth the extra money.
- Caulk. Select an acrylic latex caulk that's combined with silicone. This type of caulking is easy to apply and cleans up with water, it offers a good amount of flexibility, stretch and mildew resistance, and can be painted after it dries. Take a moment to read the label on the caulking tube, and you'll see what the manufacturer recommends as far as how large a gap that particular caulking can fill.
- Backer rod. For larger gaps, the area will need to be filled with another material first, prior to caulking. A polyethylene foam backer rod is usually the best thing to use for filling large gaps. Backer rods are sold by the roll, and come in different diameters. They compress easily and fill up the gap, offering a solid, air-tight backing for the application of the caulking. The backer rod is also flexible, so it won't damage building materials or cause the caulking to crack.
- Foam outlet gaskets. Air travels around wiring penetrations in the walls and comes out around the outlet covers. Pick up a couple of packs of foam outlet gaskets at the home center. Then simply shut the power, remove each cover plate, cut out the appropriate shape from the gasket -- each one has a pre-cut outline for a switch or an outlet, in both the standard and the square, then replace the plate.
Once you have all the supplies, look for gaps as you work your way around the outside of the house. Look at the areas around exterior window frames and exterior door frames where they meet the siding, including garage doors. Check out the areas around the exterior hose bibs, light fixtures, vent caps, and any other penetrations through the siding where exterior air can penetrate the house.
All of the materials you need are available at any home center, hardware store or other local retailers. For more Real Estate advise contact Adrian and have fun with you home improvement project.