Tuesday Tip: Your Windows Are Leaking Money — October Draft Check

October is the month your windows either earn their keep or quietly cost you money all winter. Before the furnace kicks on for good, give every window in your house the 60-second draft test.

How it works: pick a breezy day, wet the back of your hand, and run it slowly around each window's edges — the sashes, the meeting rail where the two sashes meet, and the sill. The back of your hand is far more sensitive to air movement than your palm. If you feel a steady stream of cold air, that window is leaking — and you're paying to heat the outdoors.

What usually fails, in order of how often we see it: first, dried-out or cracked exterior caulk around the frame — a tube of exterior caulk and twenty minutes fixes a surprising amount. Second, weatherstripping on operable sashes that's gone flat or brittle — peel-and-stick replacements are sold at any hardware store and take minutes per window. Third, locks and latches that no longer pull the sashes tight together; tightening or re-aligning the hardware is free insulation. And if you see fog or condensation trapped between the panes, the seal has failed and no amount of caulk will fix it — that's when a replacement conversation makes sense, and it pays for itself in heating bills.

Why windows matter beyond comfort: every leaky window forces your furnace to run longer, and worn seals let moisture work their way into the framing, which becomes a siding, trim, and interior repair problem later. The exterior works as one envelope — roofing, siding, windows, and gutters all either protect it together or fail together.

Know someone who needs roofing, siding, windows, or gutters? $500 cash when they sign.

Start with our free 8-point inspection — call or text 816-337-7037, or visit Roof4kc.com.