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November 27, 2007
drafts between walls and floors
In a number of rooms in our brownstone, there are cold air drafts coming through between the bottom of the walls and the floorboards.
What's the best way to stop these air drafts?
Thanks.
Comments
Stuff that space with steel wool, then caulk or great stuff if the hole is big.
You're killing two birds with one stone that way--no mice, no drafts.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:22 PM
I am in the process of sealing up these spaces in my draughty Victorian. I use backer rod for large cracks and I'm using a clear silicone caulk, it looks white when you apply it but dries clear. Eventually I will cover the caulked space with toe molding. Be sure to clean out the area of any dirt, paint, old caulk etc. I'm rather fussy about how things look and I've found that an ice cube gives a smooth finish.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:36 PM
I have also seen people use the expanding insulator foam for drafty windows and door threshholds. You can buy one with a nozzel that can reach into walls and other small spaces. You press the button and the stuff grows like crazy, adhering to the space and insulating.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 3:59 PM
Mice will eat backer rod, caulk or expanding foam if you don't do the steel wool first.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 4:20 PM
steel wool?
Why didn't I think of it?
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:14 PM
In my experience, mice will chew through anything you apply over steel wool, and thus be able to just push the steel wool aside.
Been there.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 6:40 PM
We had mice untill we find out about steel wool from a contractor having a drink at our place, now every time he comes, drinks are in the house.
Believe me it works wonders.
Posted by: guest at November 27, 2007 7:29 PM
6:40, you are not using enough steel wool. You can't just lay in a layer that mice will shove aside. You've got to really stuff a lot in there. You are bigger than a mouse. You will be able to shove an amount of steel wool that a mouse cannot budge into a finite crack.
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 7:34 AM
The poster did not ask about mice, just drafts. Although the extra advice probably couldn't hurt.
Posted by: guest at November 28, 2007 3:38 PM
I know, but it sucks when you do the caulk job and then have to redo it every year because the mice eat through (and then recreate your orignial draft problem...)
Posted by: guest at November 29, 2007 7:28 AM
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