Seal and Insulate

Gaps and cracks around windows, door frames, electrical outlets or plumbing fixtures may seem small, but if you've got enough of them, they can add up. Exterior gaps waste energy and decrease the comfort level in your home. Sealing gaps and cracks from air leaks costs a little, but can save a lot of time and money.

Project Time:Approximately 2 hours

Complexity:

TOP REASONS WHY HOME SEALING IS IMPORTANT

1.Reduce Energy Costs – According to the EPA, air leakage accounts for 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling a typical home, resulting in higher energy costs in both summer and winter.  Air leaking through gaps and cracks in a home can add up to as much airflow as an open window. Proper sealing can save the average homeowner 15 – 20% of total energy costs per year. If the average family spends $2,500 per year on energy bills their costs could be reduced by $500. 

2. Prevent Water Damage – Water seeping through small cracks and gaps can lead to costly damage, such as rotted wood and structural deterioration.  To control water damage, seal around all doors and windows, as well as cracks around joints and the foundation.  A silicone sealant provides the best protection against water.

3. Maximize Insulation – The biggest air leaks are often found in the attic and basement.  When insulating these areas, make sure all air leaks are properly sealed to ensure you receive the maximum value of the insulation.

4. Prevent Unwanted Mold – Improperly sealed sinks, faucets, bathtubs and other water sources can be a breeding ground for mold growth, causing an unpleasant appearance well as health risks and odors.  If not properly treated, mold growth can spread throughout your home and even weaken the home’s infrastructure in extreme cases.

5. Avoid Allergens – Proper sealing means there are fewer holes for pollen, dust and pollution to infiltrate the house, reducing your risk of allergies.

6. Breathe Easy – Proper sealing helps keep indoor air clean.  Mild to moderate levels of household mold can exacerbate asthma or cause flu-like symptoms and skin rashes.

7. Avoid Bugs in the Home – Water bugs, mites, ants and other pests can find their way into your home through small holes, especially in water environments.

8. Keeping Your Home Quiet – Proper sealing helps reduce outside noise, making your home quiet and cozy.

9. Maintain Proper Humidity Levels – Air leaks in the home allow warm humid air to escape, drawing in drier air and changing the humidity levels in the home.  Maintaining proper humidity levels protects your furniture and home from drying out.

10.Sealing Is Easier than Ever – Protecting your home and saving money can be simple by being prepared and sealing your home.  The best protection against air leaks, lost energy and water damage is a high-performance silicone sealant such as GE’s Silicone II family of products.  The best seal against water and the elements, silicone doesn’t shrink or crack, and moves as the home expands and contracts with changing temperatures, making it the most flexible and durable product available. Try GE Silicone II Window and Door or XST, a paintable formula that combines the superior performance of a silicone and the paintability of an acrylic.

Home Sealing Checklist

Windows and Doors (Recommended Product: GE Silicone II Window and Door)

  • Check all windows and doors for air leaks.  (Tip: if you can see daylight around door and window frames, then you have a leak)

Crown Molding   (Recommended Product: GE Silicone II XST Paintable Silicone)

  • Check for cracks and gaps between the molding and wallboard.

Plumbing (Recommended Product: GE Silicone II)

  • Check for air leaks where faucets or pipes penetrate the house.

Basement (Recommended Product: GE Silicone II)

  • Check for cracks and leaks in walls and floors

Siding (Recommended Product:  GE SideGuard)

  • Check for loose siding and cracks around the exterior siding of the house.

Heating/Air  (Recommended Product:  GE Silicone II XST Paintable Silicone)

  • Check for leaks around all air vents and ducts.

Electrical (RecommendedProduct:  GE Silicone II XST Paintable Silicone)

  • Check for leaks around electrical wiring, recessed lighting, electrical outlets, phone, and TV cables that penetrate walls throughout the house.

Joining Materials  (Recommended Product: GE SideGuard or Silicone II Concrete and Masonry)

  • Inspect all areas where two different building materials meet. (Ex. Where siding and chimneys meet, the areas where the foundation and the bottom of the exterior brick or siding meet)

Gutter and Flashing (Recommended Product: GE Silicone II Gutter and Flashing)

  • Check for leaking gutters and cracks around flashing

 
Shopping List

GE Products
GE Silicone II* Window and Door
Sideguard* 100% Silicone
Sideguard* Acrylic Urethane
Sideguard* MS Polymer

    Tools and Supplies
  • Depending on your own home sealing needs, you may need any of these products: Silicone II Window & Door, Silicone II XST, Silicone II Concrete & Masonry, Silicone II Gutter & Flashing, or SideGuard Siding & Trim.
Launch Tools
-Glossarylist
-MSDS Toollist