Weatherproofing Against the Cold and Rain

It's cold and rainy here in the Bay Area, and that means that most of us have had to turn on the heat in our homes. It's important to be a bit of a detective to make sure that there are no gaps in floors, windows or doors that will allow cold air from outside to come inside.

On a chilly day or night when you're home, go around the house checking for cold spots. If you've got curtains over windows, pay attention to any movement in the curtains when your heating system is off. If the curtains are moving, you likely have air coming in around the windows, and it's time to add some weatherproofing or to replace them.

Make sure that doors fit properly in their frames, both on the sides and top and bottom. Weatherstripping can be purchased to help with some gaps, but won't solve all problems.

Because windows and doors need to open and close, and to be a barrier between the inside of the home and the outside elements, they need to be installed with precision. Some homeowners may be up to the task of tackling those repairs and installations themselves, but if you have any doubt about the task (and want to be able to have the window or door closeable and lockable that evening), you may want to enlist the help of a professional.