How to Stop Drafts Coming From Doors and Windows This Winter

Winter in New Jersey can be harsh, but nothing makes it feel worse than cold drafts seeping into your home. You crank up the heat, layer on blankets, and still feel that chill sneaking in around your windows and doors. Many homeowners assume drafts are a normal part of winter — but they’re not. Drafts are signs of air leaks, insulation problems, or exterior buildup affecting your home’s ability to seal properly.
At Rinse Prince, we help homeowners maintain not only the outside of their homes but also the comfort inside. A well-maintained exterior can significantly reduce drafts and improve your energy efficiency, especially through the winter months. And yes — proper cleaning of the areas around windows and siding plays a surprisingly big role.
Let’s walk through why drafts happen and what you can do to stop them quickly and effectively.

Why Your Home Gets Drafty in Winter

Drafts form when cold air enters your home through gaps, cracks, or poorly sealed areas. These weak points become more noticeable in winter because:

Indoor heating creates pressure differences
Outdoor temperatures drop sharply
Window frames contract in the cold
Exterior dirt and grime prevent airtight seals

Many of these issues originate outside the home on siding, frames, and window tracks — areas that benefit from seasonal exterior cleaning such as a professional house wash
.

Common Causes of Drafts Around Windows and Doors

1. Worn or Damaged Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping naturally wears out from age, opening and closing, and exposure to moisture. Once it cracks or loosens, cold air slips right in.

2. Gaps in the Window or Door Frame
Cold temperatures cause materials to contract, creating small but significant gaps where air flows through.

3. Dirt, Debris, and Exterior Buildup
When grime collects around window frames, sliding door tracks, or exterior trim, windows and doors cannot seal correctly.
This is especially common when siding and frames aren’t cleaned regularly. A professional soft wash through our house washing
service helps eliminate the exterior buildup that interferes with proper closure.

4. Cracked or Shrinking Caulk
Exterior caulk can shrink in the cold, pulling away from the frame and letting air seep through.

5. Poor Door Threshold Contact
If your door doesn’t sit flush on its threshold, a noticeable draft enters beneath it — especially on windy days.

How to Find Drafts in Your Home

The Hand Test:
Move your hand around edges of windows and doors to feel cold air movement.

The Candle or Incense Test:
Watch the flame or smoke. If it flickers, air is entering.

The Flashlight Test (Nighttime):
Have someone shine a flashlight from outside. Light leaking through means air is entering.

How to Stop Drafts Quickly (Homeowner Solutions)

1. Replace Weatherstripping
It’s fast, inexpensive, and often the single best solution. Foam, felt, silicone, and rubber weatherstrips all work depending on the window type.

2. Add or Replace Door Sweeps
These block the cold air entering from beneath exterior doors. Brush sweeps work best for uneven floors.

3. Apply Window Insulation Film
This creates a temporary airtight barrier that reduces drafts significantly.

4. Seal Gaps with Exterior Caulk
Use exterior-grade caulk around:

Window frames
Door frames
Trim where siding meets openings

Make sure surfaces are clean before sealing. If dirt or mildew is present, it may prevent caulk from adhering — a problem solved with seasonal house washing.

5. Clean Exterior Window Frames and Tracks

Grime buildup makes it hard for windows to close tightly.
A winter-safe soft wash removes:

Dirt
Mold
Mildew
Debris from tracks and frames

All of which improves the seal around your window system.

6. Address Exterior Moisture Issues

If gutters overflow, water travels down windows and siding, penetrating caulk lines and creating drafts.
Check your gutters for blockages — or schedule a professional gutter cleaning
if you see:

Icicles forming
Overflow during thaw cycles
Dirty streaks beneath gutters

A clean gutter system reduces exterior moisture, helping windows seal better.

7. Upgrade Old Windows (Long-Term Solution)

If drafts persist even after sealing and cleaning, older single-pane windows or double-pane units with failed seals may need replacement.

How Exterior Cleaning Helps Reduce Drafts

Here’s something most homeowners never think about:

Dirty siding and frames prevent windows and doors from sealing correctly.
Dust, pollen, mold, mildew, and grime trap moisture and interfere with how tightly your windows and doors close. A winter-safe house wash
removes:

Exterior debris
Mold colonies
Moisture buildup
Algae around frames
Dirt in siding gaps

This not only improves home appearance but also reduces drafts and energy loss.
Stopping drafts doesn’t just make your home warmer — it saves money, improves comfort, and protects your windows and doors from long-term damage. If your home feels colder than it should this winter, Rinse Prince can help restore tight seals and eliminate the exterior problems that cause drafts.