“those hidden issues never fix themselves.”
That’s the truth. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve pulled off trim or baseboards and found gaps big enough to lose your keys in. One place I worked on, the previous owner had just stuffed newspaper in there—seriously, 1982 sports section. It’s wild what people used to do.
If anyone else is dealing with uneven temps, here’s a quick rundown that’s worked for me:
1. Check for drafts around windows, outlets, and baseboards (especially on exterior walls).
2. If you find gaps, use low-expansion spray foam or backer rod before putting in new insulation.
3. Don’t forget to seal up with caulk after—makes a bigger difference than you’d think.
I’m with you, it’s not glamorous work, but it beats paying for heat that just leaks outside. And yeah, those recycled denim batts are surprisingly good—plus, way less itchy than fiberglass. Sometimes you gotta poke around and see what’s really going on behind the scenes... it’s almost like detective work for your house.
Not gonna lie, sometimes I think the drafts are just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve seen rooms with perfect seals still feel like a meat locker because the ductwork’s a mess or the vents are blocked by furniture. Before you go wild with foam and caulk, might be worth checking if your airflow’s actually making it to the right spots. Had a client once who swore their bedroom was haunted—turned out their vent was covered by a rug for years... mystery solved.
Definitely agree that airflow gets overlooked. I ran into a similar thing when I moved in—my living room was roasting, bedroom freezing. Here’s what helped:
- Checked every vent for blockages (found a bookshelf covering one, oops).
- Made sure all supply and return vents were open and not dusty.
- Looked at the ductwork in the basement—one joint was half disconnected.
Honestly, sealing up drafts is good, but if the air can’t get where it needs to go, it’s pointless. Sometimes it’s just as simple as moving a chair or rug.
I had almost the same thing happen in my old place, and it drove me nuts for months. I kept cranking the thermostat up and down, but it never really fixed anything—just made my energy bill spike. It’s wild how something as simple as a blocked vent or a loose duct can mess up the whole airflow.
Honestly, sealing up drafts is good, but if the air can’t get where it needs to go, it’s pointless.
I totally get this. I used to focus way too much on weatherstripping and window film, thinking that would solve everything. Didn’t realize until later that I’d basically sealed up the house so tight that the furnace barely pushed air to the back rooms. I ended up having to move some furniture around too—a big armchair was right over a vent in the den, which I never noticed because it blended in with the rug.
One thing I’m still not sure about: how do you know if your ductwork is leaking somewhere you can’t see? I checked what I could reach in the basement, but most of it runs behind walls and ceilings. I’m a bit paranoid about messing with anything electrical or cutting into drywall (not exactly handy over here), but I also don’t want to pay for a pro if it’s not necessary. Has anyone tried those cheap thermal cameras or even just using incense smoke to check for leaks? Wondering if that’s worth the hassle or if there’s a safer way.
Also—anyone ever worry about closing off vents in unused rooms? I’ve heard mixed things. Some folks say it saves money, others say it can actually damage your system or make things worse. Never figured out which is true...
Thermal cameras can help, but the cheap ones aren’t always sensitive enough to spot smaller leaks—especially if your ducts are buried in walls. Incense works for exposed runs, but it’s pretty much useless for hidden stuff. Honestly, unless you’re noticing a big temp difference or hearing whistling, most folks just live with minor leaks. As for closing vents, I wouldn’t do it. It can throw off the pressure balance and actually make your system work harder. I’ve seen more problems caused than solved that way. If a room’s unused, maybe just dial the vent down—not fully closed.
