Air leaks can affect the inner temperature of your home and can cause energy waste. To prevent having high heating and cooling bills, learn how to find air leaks in your home by reading this post by Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services.

Why is it important to find air leaks in your house? Well, having air leaks can lead to some serious energy waste, especially on really hot or cold days. You may already be aware of some minor air leakage in your home such as the draft that comes in from under the door or a window that isn't properly sealed. To find air leaks in your home, you will have to conduct some simple tests. Learn how to do so in this article that Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services has for you today.

Do a Visual Inspection

Start by inspecting the inside of your home. Look at your windows, doors, walls, vents, knee walls, etc. Look for cracks, gaps or any other common point of air leakage. Also, make a visual inspection of the outside of your house as well. Look for cracks or any signs of wear and tear that could be letting air inside the house. Make sure to take notes along the way to ensure you can repair them later on.

Use an Ultrasonic Air Detector

Ultrasonic air detectors, as their name states, allow you to identify air leaks by using ultrasound. It is recommended to perform this test on a windy or cold day. All you need to do is walk around your house and point the device at the cracks and areas you previously detected around your home. The ultrasonic air detector will scan the area that you are pointing at and will signal if there is a leak. This can help you confirm if the cracks you found around your home do indeed let air inside.

If you notice any damage or traces of mold while searching for leaks, make sure to contact a professional as soon as possible. Speak with a professional at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services and learn about the best restoration services in Minneapolis. For more information call 888-436-3499.

Use a Flashlight

This can be a slightly more difficult task and may not work on small air leaks. However, if you are dealing with a big air leak, this can be a great way to find out. Grab a flashlight and ask a family member to go outside, to the other side of the wall where you identified a suspected leak. Turn off all the lights and follow by shining your flashlight from the inside over the crack or leak. If the person standing outside can see the light, then you are dealing with a big air leak.

How to Seal Air Leaks

Doors and windows: The material you should use to seal your doors and windows will depend on their shape and location. Some recommended materials include rubber, foam, metal weather strips, felt, etc. You can also use caulk or weather stripping. Basement: To fill small gaps use latex or silicon caulk. For larger gaps, use polyurethane insulation foam. This material expands, allowing it to tightly fill large gaps. If you need extra assistance performing this task, make sure to contact a professional.

Along with sealing any air leaks, make sure your home is clean and protected. Speak with an expert at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services and learn about the best cleaning and restoration services in Minneapolis. For more information call 888-436-3499 today.

Get a Professional Inspection

The best thing you can do when dealing with air leaks is to hire a professional. A professional will be able to spot and identify any air leaks easily and will know exactly what to do to ensure your home is in top condition. Professionals often perform a home energy audit to find air leaks inside your home. The professional will do a blower door test. To do so, he will mount a fan on an exterior door that will pull air out of the house. When this happens, the pressure inside the home will decrease, allowing outside air pressure to flow in through any openings or cracks. From this point, the professional will walk around your home and will try to spot any leaks with the help of a smoke pencil.

Having a safe and comfortable house requires having to give it frequent maintenance. If you are in need of some cleaning and restoration services in Minneapolis, get in contact with a professional at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services. For more information call 888-436-3499 today.