Every fall, right around the first cold snap, our phone starts ringing. “There’s a cold draft in the living room and I can’t find where it’s coming from.” After hundreds of these calls across Pierce County — Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, University Place, Gig Harbor — we can usually find the culprit in ten minutes. Here’s how to find yours, and what to do about it.
The usual suspects
Drafts almost always come from the same handful of places: worn weatherstripping around doors, gaps around window frames, the attic hatch, and — the one nobody checks — outlets and switch plates on exterior walls. In older Pierce County homes, original windows and doors are the biggest offenders. If your home was built before the 90s and still has its original seals, you’re heating the neighborhood.
Find your drafts in 10 minutes
Here’s the trick we use: on a windy day, close all windows and doors, turn off any fans, and slowly move a lit incense stick along window frames, door edges, and baseboards. Wherever the smoke wavers, air is getting in. Mark each spot with painter’s tape — you’ll be surprised how many you find.
How to fix them
Most drafts are a DIY-friendly fix. Worn door weatherstripping peels off and presses back on. Gaps around window frames get exterior caulk. A door sweep on the bottom of an exterior door stops the worst offender of all: the gap you can see daylight through. For bigger gaps or windows that won’t seal no matter what, that’s when you call us — our caulking and weatherstripping service handles the whole house in one visit.
Your fall draft checklist
- Check weatherstripping on every exterior door — replace what’s cracked or flattened.
- Caulk gaps around window frames and where siding meets trim.
- Add door sweeps to exterior doors with visible gaps.
- Feel for drafts around outlets on exterior walls.
- Make sure the attic hatch closes tight.
FAQs
Why is one room always colder than the rest?
Usually a draft issue isolated to that room — check its windows and any exterior door first. Poor insulation is possible, but drafts are the more common cause.
Will new windows fix my draft problem?
Sometimes, but most drafts come from failed seals, not failed windows. Resealing costs far less than replacing — and we replace windows too if yours are truly done (separate quote, just ask).
Can you do the whole house in one visit?
Yes — that’s the most common way we do it. We go room by room, find every draft, and seal them all.
Book Your Visit
Found more drafts than you want to deal with? We can help you with that at Pro Touch — our crew seals up drafty homes across Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, University Place, and Gig Harbor. Book your appointment or call/text (253) 298-9025. Licensed · Bonded · Insured — WA Reg. #PROTOTH762KL.