The glazing putty that seals window panes can crack and fall out with time. Then place the snake on the sill and shut the window on it to seal the deal. Cut the 36-inch foam tube provided to length and slip the washable cover over it. If the bottom of your window leaks cold air, buy a foam-and-fabric draft snake kit. Or, apply clear weather-seal tape to the crack.ĥ. Once hardened, the polish will stabilize the glass until you can replace it in the spring. If carefully applied, clear polish fills the crack almost invisibly. Use rubbing alcohol to help release the tape in the spring to avoid pulling off paint.Ĥ. The film seals off drafts and captures an insulating buffer of air. Applied with double-sided tape, this clear plastic sheeting shrinks drum-tight when heated with a hair dryer. This soft, sticky stuff can be molded to suit the gap - and removes easily at the end of the season.ģ. Windows can open and shut even with the V-seal in place.Ģ. Add this plastic weather stripping along the sides of the sashes. Here are five fast solutions (all under $8!) that’ll fix them for awhile, or at least to get you through to spring when more permanent fixes are easier:ġ. Related: Tips for Detecting Air Leaks in Windows Easy Fixes for Right Now Even newer vinyl or aluminum windows may have worn-out gaskets and weather stripping. Double-hung sashes of wood windows can shrink with age and wear, letting in cold air. With old windows, the glazing putty may have grown brittle and fallen away, leaving the glass rattling in place. Related: The Smart, Low-Cost Way to Reduce Your Energy Bills So, Why Do They Get Drafty?
Maybe that’s fine for fall, but when winter temps set in, those rattling, drafty windows will bug you to no end, as well as hike your heating bill beyond your comfort zone. Do your friends nominate your house for the Halloween bash every year because your rattling windows with their billowing curtains add that just-right eerie feel they want for their creepy celebration?