Top reasons to seal your home.

1. Reduce Energy Costs - Air leaking through tiny holes and cracks accounts for up to 20 percent of the energy used to heat and cool a typical home. The gaps and cracks in an average home can be sealed with up to four tubes of waterproof caulk and insulation.

2. Prevent Water Damage - Water leakage from rain, ice or snow through cracks and gaps, can cause water damage to the interior or exterior of your home.

3. Prevent Unwanted Mold - Improperly sealed sinks, faucets, bathtubs and other water sources can be a breeding ground for mold growth, causing an unpleasant appearance as well as health risks and odors. Use a waterproof caulk (Silicone with BioSeal*) to properly treat mold growth on caulk. Improperly treated mold can spread throughout your home and even weaken the home's infrastructure in extreme cases.

4. Avoid Allergens - Proper sealing means there are fewer holes for pollen, dust and pollution to infiltrate the house, reducing your risk of allergies.

5. Breathe Easy - Proper sealing reduces the infiltration of outdoor air pollutants, and reduces moisture infiltration from outdoor air in humid climates.(3) Too much moisture in a home can lead to mold, mildew, and other biological growth.(4)

6. Prevent Air Leaks - Air leaking through gaps and cracks in a home can add up to as much airflow as an open window.

7. Seal Out Bugs in the Home- Water bugs, mites, ants and other pests can find their way into your home through small holes.

8. Keeping Your Home Quiet - Proper sealing helps reduce outside noise, making your home quiet and cozy.

9. Maintain Proper Humidity Levels - Air leaks in the home allow warm humid air to escape, drawing in drier air and changing the humidity levels in the home.(4) Maintaining proper humidity levels protects your furniture and home from drying out.

Home Sealing Checklist

Windows and Doors
Recommended Product: GE Silicone II Window and Door

• Check all windows and doors for air leaks.
  (Tip: if you can see daylight around door and window frames, then you have a leak)

Crown Molding   
Recommended Product: GE Silicone II XST Paintable Silicone

• Check for cracks and gaps between the molding and wallboard.

Plumbing
Recommended Product: GE Silicone II

• Check for air leaks where faucets or pipes penetrate the house.

Basement
Recommended Product: GE Silicone II

• Check for cracks and leaks in walls and floors

Siding
Recommended Product: GE SideGuard

• Check for loose siding and cracks around the exterior siding of the house.

Heating/Air  
Recommended Product:  GE Silicone II XST Paintable Silicone

• * Check for leaks around all air vents and ducts.

Electrical
RecommendedProduct: GE Silicone II XST Paintable Silicone

• * Check for leaks around electrical wiring, recessed lighting, electrical outlets, phone, and TV cables that penetrate walls throughout the house.

Joining Materials  
Recommended Product: GE SideGuard or Silicone II Concrete and Masonry

• * Inspect all areas where two different building materials meet. (Ex. Where siding and chimneys meet, the areas where the foundation and the bottom of the exterior brick or siding meet)

Gutter and Flashing
Recommended Product: GE Silicone II Gutter and Flashing

• Check for leaking gutters and cracks around flashing