Gaps, cracks, and holes around the exterior of your home are more than just an eyesore - they can also cause hassle, damage, and unnecessary expense. Luckily the solution is simple and cost effective - seal them up! Below, learn where to find cracks around your home, the benefits of sealing them, and which caulks and sealants are best for the job.

Where to Find Harmful Gaps, Cracks & Holes

Whether your home is new or old, it is bound to have some gaps and cracks. Even slight and seemingly harmless ones can cause damage, so keep an eye out! Here are some common places to check around the outside of your home.

Windows - Check all sides, paying close attention to corners
Doors - Check all sides, paying close attention to corners
Roof - Look along rafters and eaves
Foundation - Look for cracks between concrete and the outside wall and all along the foundation
Breaks in siding - Check the holes made for pipes, wires, railings, vents, etc.

Why Seal Them?
Keep Bugs, Rodents, and other Pests Out

Think small holes and cracks are harmless? Think again! Mice can enter your home through holes the size of a nickel and bugs through cracks the size of a straight pin! To keep these pests out, fill any small cracks with waterproof sealant. Fill small holes with steel wool or cloth before sealing for added protection. Large holes can be covered with sheet metal, then secured around the edges with sealant.

Prevent Costly Water Damage

Rain or melting snow that enters your home through windows, doors, walls, the roof, or the foundation can cause mold issues and major structural damage - especially if you don't detect it early on!  Water leaks can be easy to miss, going undetected for weeks, months, even years, slowly damaging drywall or rotting the frame of your home or your sub-floor. Regularly looking for and sealing cracks is a simple way to save headaches and potentially thousands of dollars in repair.

Keep Drafts Out and Lower Energy Bills

When it comes to saving energy, filling little cracks can make a big difference! According to nrdc.org1, properly sealing cracks, gaps, and holes to keep drafts out can save the average homeowner up to 15% on heating and cooling costs - not to mention keep the home comfortable. While larger fixes such as new windows and spray insulation save more energy and money, small, affordable fixes like using sealant or weatherstripping on windows and doors adds up too, and is well worth the effort!

Keep Your Home Looking Sharp

Whether filling new cracks or replacing old, worn sealant with a fresh coat, sealing the exterior of your home keeps it looking great, giving it a well-kept and polished appearance.

Best Sealants for Outside Cracks and Gaps

Though sealing cracks is fairly simple, you don’t want to do the job more often than you have to, so be sure to choose the best sealant for the job the first time. Look for a waterproof sealant that will endure rain, snow, and a wide range of temperatures without cracking, peeling, or otherwise failing. For more detailed information, view our guide to choosing the right sealant for the job.

1 - https://www.nrdc.org/experts/lauren-urbanek/sealing-insulation-cuts-home-heating-cooling-bills-15#