Your house may look like a well sealed little unit but air is very very sneaky and can leak in and out. It isn’t a problem if you are living in a tent but if you want to keep your house warm in winter and cool in summer, you have to draft-proof.
It is not sexy and it is not exciting but makes a huge difference to your comfort when it is done.
The manhole (also known as lots of other terms including person hole, maintenance hole, access hatch) to your roof space can be a huge source of draughts with hot air coming into your home in Summer and warm air leaving your home in Winter.
They're easy to fix with some compression draught-proof tape. If you've got a hinged access hatch - draught-proof it like a hinged door as seen in this video.
This GIY job is all about putting a stop to draughts (and limbo dancers) that come in under your doors. In this video I show you how to draught-proof the bottom of an internal hinge door with an adhesive weather strip.
Yes, you could spend all winter arranging the door snake to block the gap but do this GIY job and your battle with the door snake will be over. You might also need to draught-proof around the door - watch this GIY video to see how it's done.
This is a really quick, easy and effective GIY job that will stop draughts and save your energy.
Trickiness rating: EASY
Draught-proofing doors that lead to 'unconditioned' spaces (i.e spaces that are not heated or cooled including your laundry, bathroom and spare rooms) can make a huge difference to your comfort and energy bills.
In this GIY video I show you how to draught-proof an internal hinged door with draught-proof tape. It's an easy GIY job.
You might also need to draught-proof under the door if there is a gap. I've got the GIY video on how to do that here or just use a door (ssssss) snake.
Once it's done, you just have to remember to keep the door shut. That will be the hardest part of this GIY job.
Trickiness rating: Too easy (can do in your PJ's before breakfast)
Evaporative cooling vents can be a huge source of draughts and heat loss in winter.
In this GIY video I show you two simple ways to seal them up for winter. One uses clear contact and is super quick and effective. The other uses a product specifically designed for the job - a HeatSaver vent cover.
This is a solution for evaporative cooling vents only.
TRICKINESS RATING: Easy
Some gaps and cracks are , well, crackers. Too big for the standard gap-filling materials of gap filler rod and caulk.
They need something that will do the job without wasting your time (and lots of products).
Polyurethane expanding foam is the answer. It comes in an aerosol can and sprays on through a nozzle-tube expanding to fill the gap. It cures to a hard foam which can then be cut back, sanded and painted to look real nice.
It can also be left to look like you've just filled gaps with a a solid whipped cream. (I've done that in this GIY video as it's hidden behind a dishwasher.)
I know it's not the 'greenest' product on the market but in small amounts it's better that a draught. You could use old socks if you really wanted to.
It's easy to use but there are lots of great tips in this video on how to do it with minimum fuss.
Trickiness rating: Easy
Stickiness rating: Very (but managable with nail-polish remover or acetone)
Architraves around windows and doors are a common source of draughts with huge gaps and cracks behind them. Unless you were looking for them, or wondering why your house gets cold so quickly, you would never know they are you would never see them.
They are a quick and easy GIY job to fix - grab some gap filler rod and some caulk and get ready to seal the suckers up.
Trickiness rating: Easy
In this quick GIY video I show you how to load a caulking gun. It's an easy thing to do when you know how to get started.
Not only will you be able to draught-proof anything but you can tap into your inner Charlies Angel and combat anything. Of that I'm sure.
It was a very quick film and edit and lacks the finess of my other GIY videos! Quick is good and if you can excuse the ocasional camera wobble and single take feel of it, I think you'll enjoy it. It's very raw. Yeah.
Trickiness rating: Easy
Extractor fans are great for getting rid of smells and steam when they're switched on but the rest of the time they are drafty holes in your ceiling.
Seal them up when they aren't in use with a DraftStoppa® - a plastic casing that goes over your extractor fan in the roof cavity. It has a set of balanced shutters, a bit like butterfly wings, which open when the fan is turned on and close automatically when the fan is turned off.
It is a simple but brilliant idea that works to help stop drafts (hence the name).
Wall vents are so passé.
*They are essential in rooms that have an un-flued gas heater or open fire, and in hot and steamy areas (bathroom, laundry and kitchen) to allow good ventilation but are just drafty holes in all other rooms.
If you are using energy to heat or cool your house it is a good idea to draught-proof these vents to stop the precious air escaping. This GIY job is a good temporary solution.
If you want some fresh air you have to take control of it - windows that open and close are great. Permanent wall-vents are bad (except *).
Trickiness Rating: EASY
Skirting boards - the bits of wood that cover the gap where the wall meets the floorboards - look like they would be doing a good job of stopping cold air leaking under their skirts. Don't be fooled by this clever charade.
They are a common place for drafts to sneak in to your house but are really easy to fix.
Another adventure, stalking around the house with the caulking gun, awaits.
Trickiness rating: EASY