Note: This DIY article is provided as a general guide only and is not intended to take the place of product-specific installation procedures; always follow applicable manufacturers’ instructions. Depending on your home’s age and condition, location within the home, and other potential factors, repairs and/or upgrades or other services may be necessary prior to the beginning and/or completion of your project that may involve the services of a home improvement professional. This article does not include advice pertaining to local building codes and/or any related inspections.

Sealing gaps around your home is one of the easiest ways to keep cold air out and warm air in as fall approaches. Drafts around windows, doors, and other openings can make your heating system work harder, raising your energy bills. With the right products, such as GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door, you can reduce drafts, improve comfort, and prepare your home for fall and the colder months ahead.

Windows and doors are among the most common sources of heat loss, especially where frames meet walls or where the glass meets frames. Over time, weather exposure and seasonal movement can cause existing sealant to crack, shrink, or pull away from surfaces.

Why sealing before fall makes a difference

Sealing air leaks before fall sets in gives you the advantage of working in ideal weather conditions. Mild temperatures and lower humidity also help sealants adhere properly and cure evenly, ensuring they last through the harsh winter months. Addressing gaps now prevents cold air from seeping into your home and heated air from escaping. 

It also helps protect against moisture intrusion from rain, snow, and melting ice. Once water gets inside gaps or cracks, it can freeze, expand, and cause damage to walls, frames, or insulation. By sealing early, you avoid the rushed repairs that often come with the first cold snap. Using a high-performance product like GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door ensures a durable, weather-resistant seal that holds up through temperature swings and winter storms, keeping your home warmer and more energy efficient all season long.

Here are five places you should check to seal air leaks around your home this fall. If you find problem areas, remove any old or damaged sealant, either with a putty knife or GE’s Sealant Remover Tool, and clean the surface thoroughly. 

Around windows

Windows are one of the most common sources of heat loss, especially where the frame meets the wall or where the glass meets the frame. Over time, weather exposure and seasonal movement can cause sealant to crack, shrink, or pull away from the surface. 

To check for leaks, look for visible gaps, feel for drafts with your hand, or use a candle or incense test to detect air movement. 

For exterior applications, use GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door. This paintable, silicone-based hybrid formula bonds well to a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, and fiber cement. Additionally, Pro Seal Max Window & Door remains flexible through temperature changes. Apply a continuous bead around the outside perimeter of the frame, smoothing it for a clean, even finish. 

Around Doors

Doors can allow significant drafts into your home if the frame, threshold, or surrounding trim is not properly sealed. Over time, shifting, settling, and weather exposure can cause small gaps to form between the door frame and exterior siding, as well as between the threshold and the floor. 

To prep your home for fall, start by inspecting these areas for cracks, separation, or worn-out caulk. You can also check for drafts by feeling along the edges of the frame on a windy day. 

For exterior gaps, apply GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door to create a weather-resistant barrier that stays flexible through seasonal temperature changes.

On the interior, use a paintable silicone sealant or a colored 100% silicone sealant such as GE’s Advanced Silicone Window & Door Sealant to blend with your trim. Paintable sealants give you more color options, but at the expense of losing the benefits of using 100% silicone. Sealing around doors both reduces cold air infiltration and helps keep moisture, dust, and pests from finding their way inside during the colder months.

Along baseboards

Gaps between baseboards and flooring can be an unexpected source of drafts, especially in homes with exterior walls or unsealed crawl spaces. Until you seal these air leaks, openings will allow cold air to seep in at floor level, making rooms feel cooler and less comfortable. 

Inspect along the length of each baseboard, looking for cracks, separations, or missing caulk. Pay special attention to corners and areas where different flooring materials meet. 

For interior applications, choose either a suitable shade of GE’s Advanced Window & Door Sealant or a paintable sealant so the repair blends seamlessly with your existing wall or trim color. Apply a steady, continuous bead along the gap, then smooth it for a neat finish. Allow the sealant to cure as directed before painting or exposing it to regular cleaning. 

Exterior penetrations

Another common culprit in drafty homes is exterior penetrations such as vents, pipes, hose bibs, and electrical conduits. These openings pass through walls to the outdoors, and even small gaps around them can allow cold air and moisture to enter your home. Eventually, temperature changes and weather exposure can cause the original sealant to deteriorate, leaving these areas vulnerable. 

Inspect each penetration closely for cracks, missing sealant, or visible gaps. Apply GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door around the perimeter of the penetration, using a continuous bead. Smooth the bead for a clean finish and let it cure as directed. 

Attic and basement openings

Attics and basements often contain hidden gaps that contribute to heat loss, especially around rim joists, sill plates, and attic hatches. Inspect these areas carefully, looking for cracks, separations, or old, brittle sealant. 

In unfinished basements, check where pipes and wiring pass through walls or floors. Use GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door for exterior-facing gaps and a suitable interior-grade sealant for inside applications. 

To get GE Sealants’ products for your home improvement project, visit these fine retailers in the U.S. or Canada.