Drafty House? 10 Problems You Can Fix Yourself, According to Contractors

Air drafts can rapidly chill a house, no matter how much you run your heating system. If you’ve ever wondered why your house is so drafty, the causes are easy to pinpoint. Solutions can be as simple as adding foam insulation or installing outlet sealers.

Here are 10 solutions from contractors and weatherization experts for fixing a drafty house.

Outlet Leaks

Electrical outlet receptacles are hidden causes of drafts, says Randi Bujnovsky of Duck Brand, a provider of weatherization products.

Fix It

Socket sealers are a simple, fast solution, and you don’t need to be an electrician to install them, says Bujnovsky.

“Just place one behind the outlet or switch’s outer face plate cover for a snug fit between the wall and the face plate, stopping drafts,” Bujnovsky says.

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Gapped Floorboards

Drafts may seep between gaps in floorboards, says contractor Docia Boylen. It’s a common problem with older houses with gapped floorboards or inadequate subflooring.

Fix It

The solution to floorboard drafts is to add area rugs, Boylen says. Area rugs are instant insulation that take minutes to roll out.

Leaky Penetrations

Houses are pierced with various penetrations, including outdoor water faucets, bathroom exhausts, chimneys, soil stacks, and wires.

Many drafts come from improperly sealed penetrations, says Glenn Gault of Gault Heating & Cooling. These are often left unsealed during construction or the sealant has failed.

Fix It

Apply caulk or low-expansion spray foam insulation around larger openings where pipes or wires enter the wall. 

Failed Insulation

Poor insulation installation can lead to drafts, according to Andrew Legge, CEO of sustainable insulation company Havelock Wool. 

The insulation may be the wrong size for the wall cavity. Or, the vapor barrier might be improperly stapled to the studs—or detached.

Fix It

One solution, says Legge, is to add insulation in easy-to-access places: attic, crawl space, and open walls. 

With blown-in insulation in closed walls, have a professional add more insulation to the top of the existing insulation.

Windows and Doors

Doors and windows are one of the most common sources of drafts, Bujnovsky says.

Fix It

“By installing draft seals, homeowners can easily insulate their home and stop drafts,” Bujnovsky says.

This simple fix can have a dramatic impact on high energy bills, as it limits energy waste and minimizes the need to constantly adjust the thermostat upward.

Attic Leaks

The attic is a major source of heat loss, Gault says. Heated air passes upward through a poorly insulated or sealed attic. Drafts can pass downward, as well.

Fix It

“Go into the attic and look for openings around light fixtures, vent pipes, and wires,” Gault says. Stop the drafts by applying caulk or expanding foam to seal these gaps from above.

Open Damper

A chimney rapidly carries smoke up and away from the house. It can do the reverse by bringing outdoor drafts into the house.

The problem may be that the fireplace damper is not closed or doesn’t seal properly.

Fix It

Make sure the damper is closed, Boylen says. It’s easy to forget that the damper is open after the fire has gone out.

If the damper is closed but it still leaks, install a chimney balloon. A chimney balloon is an inflatable device that seals the flue and costs $25 to $45.

Recessed Lights

Recessed lights are an avenue for drafts in a house, according to Gault.

Recessed lights penetrate the ceiling, and the attic is usually draftier and colder than the level below.

Fix It

Install insulated, airtight covers directly over the fixtures in the attic, Gault says. Or, install IC-rated (insulation-contact) recessed lights so you can safely lay the attic insulation over the lights.

Empty Plumbing Traps

Drafts may come from an unexpected source: sinks, showers, tubs, or toilets. If the drafts faintly smell of a sewer, the plumbing drain traps are likely missing the water.

The purpose of a drain trap is to create a water seal to prevent sewer gas from entering the home. Water may evaporate from the trap if the device hasn’t been used for a while.

Fix It

Flush the toilet to fill the trap. For sinks, tubs, and showers, run the water for about a minute to fill the trap.

House Settling

“Older homes are often drafty because the foundation settles over time,” Gault says. “This creates hairline cracks in walls and around windows and doors, letting in cold air.”

Fix It

To fix drafts due to house settling, seal hairline cracks in the foundation with flexible caulk and use expanding foam for large gaps.