Did you all notice a real drop in your heating bill after sealing things up? I’m always skeptical about how much difference it actually makes, but I hate feeling a draft around my ankles. Wondering if it’s worth redoing the whole first floor or just the worst spots.
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes it feels like sealing up every little crack is just a drop in the bucket. But last winter I finally got fed up with the cold spots and did the baseboards and around the windows on the first floor. Didn’t expect miracles, but I actually noticed less draft and my bill dropped about 10-15%. Not life-changing, but it made the place feel way cozier. I’d say hit the worst spots first and see how much it helps before going all-in.
I get what you mean about not expecting miracles—honestly, I’ve been debating if it’s worth the hassle to start sealing up every little gap. But hearing that you actually noticed a difference, even if it wasn’t huge, is kind of motivating. Did you just use regular caulk or something special? I keep wondering if I’m overthinking it or if it’s just one of those things where you have to start somewhere and see how it goes.
Honestly, I used a mix—regular silicone caulk for most of the little cracks, but for the bigger gaps around baseboards I went with backer rod and then sealed over it. It’s not glamorous, but after years of managing rentals, I can say those drafts add up. You’re not overthinking it; you’d be surprised how much heat sneaks out through the smallest spots. It’s not a miracle fix, but it does make the place feel less drafty and the bills don’t spike as much. Sometimes you just have to chip away at these things, one tube of caulk at a time.
I’ve been thinking about tackling the baseboards next, but I keep second-guessing which caulk to use. Did you notice any difference between silicone and acrylic in terms of how they hold up over time? I’ve had some spots where the caulk cracked after a year or two, and it’s kind of a pain to redo. Also, did you bother with weatherstripping doors, or did you find the caulking made enough of a difference on its own?