How to seal gaps in doors and windows

“A clear sign that your home isn't draught proof is drastic fluctuations in temperature in relation to the outside climate,” says Matthew Menichelli, director of Elevate Building Group.

A thermal imaging camera, if you can get access to one, can help to find the leaks around your home, but otherwise a good trick to locate gaps is to burn an incense stick near potential draught sites and see where the smoke goes.

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“The first place to start on leaks is your external doors,” Matthew says. “There's always clearance in the door margins so that the door swings freely, and if there is no weather seal on the doorjamb, this is the number-one culprit of temperature loss in a home. Windows are a close second.”

You can use a door snake to keep draughts out, but a more efficient and permanent solution is to attach a door seal to the bottom of the door. You may need to cut it down with a hacksaw to fit your door and, if it comes with an adhesive backing, it's worth reinforcing this with screws; pre-drill the holes using a drill bit one size down from the screws.

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There's a great variety of door seals available – including roller, PVC strip, storm proof, brush and auto lift – so you can choose the one that's best for your situation.

Adhesive weather strips are a quick and easy fix for leaking doors and windows. Clean (and sand if necessary) the area you need to attach it to, cut the strip to the right length, remove adhesive backing and simply smooth it around the door and window frames. Ensure you have the right thickness – too thin and draughts will still get through, too thick and your windows and doors won't close properly.

Some homes have unfortunate gaps in their floorboards and skirting that are an open invitation to winter chill. “There can be very small gaps where the skirting board and floor meet. By silicone sealing such gaps, the silicone, due to its flexibility, allows the natural movement in the timber while maintaining a sealed gap, reducing unwanted airflow,” says Chris Knierim.

“Floorboards are another area where air leakage can occur, so sealing the joints between the boards and installing insulation underneath the floor between the floor joists is a good preventative measure against unwanted draughts,” adds Chris.

Try a filler such as Selleys No More Gaps between the boards and use a caulking gun to seal the gaps between floor and wall. For bigger gaps, use expanding polyurethane spray foam. If you can access underneath the floor – as in a suspended timber floor – check the state of the insulation; many homes feature insulation that has been poorly installed and might be sagging and letting in cold air.

If there's no insulation at all, installing batts in a suspended timber floor is an achievable DIY job. But if you can't access under the floor or need extra cosiness indoors, don't underestimate the warming effect of a plush rug.

Cables and pipes are often the culprits of wayward draughts. Check the points where the cables and pipes exit the house and fill any gaps with caulk or foam.

“Chimneys are often overlooked when it comes to insulating, partly because they're being used during the winter months,” says Matthew. “But when they're not in use, consider installing a foam draught stopper and seal them up.”

Fixed ceiling and wall vents are often a feature in older homes and can be a source of considerable draughts. You can try covering them with cardboard or clear contact for an instant temporary fix or, for a more permanent solution, replace them with closable vents.

Roof access hatches and manholes can also leak cold air, which is where adhesive weather strips come in handy again. Fix these or air seals around the hatch and insulate the upper side by fixing rigid insulation to it.

Don't make your home completely airtight. “When creating an airtight home, it's important to install ventilation systems to provide controlled natural air into the home,” says Chris. This is especially important if you have gas heaters or appliances, and to avoid possible build-up of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can emit from products such as new carpets and furniture, building materials and household cleaners.

If you're not sure how much you can safely seal – especially when covering vents – seek help from a professional.