Draughts is a problem faced by almost every household in the UK. When you feel cold air coming in through the joints in the doors and windows, understand that you have a draught problem which can be easily solved by draught proofing. Presence of draughts leads to leakage of warm air outside which increases the pressure on the home heater. Decrease in room temperature makes the heater work harder to restore it back to normal. This in turn lengthens your heating bill to twice in length. Also, draughts have been known to cause common ailments like cold and cough in elders and kids due to the presence of moisture in the air.

Actually speaking, draught proofing is the most inexpensive as well as effective way of getting rid of draughts. Also, the pay back duration of draught proofing is very low usually less than a year. Still nearly 75% of UK is reluctant to opt for draught proofing.

Let us have a look at the causes behind the occurrence of draughts. The most common explanation for occurrence of draughts is gaps. Gaps can be present in various objects like windows doors, etc. It is through these gaps that the high temperature air escapes wile the low temperature air enters. Some of the other structures increasing the draughting effect are high ceilings, stairwells, open fireplaces, vented skylights and recessed down-lights.

Many times, there might be gaps which have occurred in the building. Blowing wind can easily force its way inside a house through these gaps. Also draughts occur when heating devices burn internal air and draw this air through a chimney or flue.

The last explanation for cause of draught formation is ceiling mounted ducts, exhaust fans, vented skylights and wall vents which provide an easy escape for internal air. This internal air eventually gets replaced by the cold air from outside.

Now that we know the causes behind the occurrence of draughts, let us look at ways to determine whether our house is suffering from the problem or draughts or not. The simplest way to determine this is to observe and search for obvious gaps anywhere especially in places like doors and windows under visible lights.

Another way to determine draughts is through the use of olfactory lobes.  When there is strong wind blowing outside, listen for rattles and whistles around the doors and windows. You can check for draughts by feeling for cold air while walking in areas around doors, windows, air outlets, vents, stairways, architraves and skirting boards. Last way to determine draughts is by looking for moving curtains.

Thus, draughts is a problem which can do great damage to you as well as your property. So before anything serious takes place, draught proof your house immediately.