Last weekend I finally got around to dealing with a couple of windows that were driving me nuts. One was drafty as heck, and the other was stuck shut since forever. Anyway, I didn't wanna spend a fortune or call someone in, so I did some googling and found a pretty neat trick.
For the drafty one, turns out you can use clear nail polish to seal tiny cracks around the edges. Sounds weird, I know, but it actually worked pretty well. Just brush it on carefully and let it dry. For bigger gaps, I used some weather stripping tape from the hardware store—cheap and easy.
The stuck window was trickier. I ended up using a putty knife to gently pry around the edges, then rubbed a candle along the tracks to lubricate them. Took a bit of elbow grease, but now it slides open like butter.
Anyway, figured I'd share in case anyone else is dealing with annoying window issues. Curious if anyone else has some clever hacks or tricks they've tried?
Clear nail polish, huh? Never thought of that one... sounds a bit temporary, but if it works for now, why not. Candle wax is actually a decent trick though—seen that one work surprisingly well over the years. Did you find it messy at all?
- Candle wax isn't too messy if you're careful—just rub it lightly along the edges and wipe off any excess.
- Clear nail polish is clever for small gaps, but yeah, definitely temporary.
- Another quick fix I've used is weatherstripping tape; it's cheap, easy to apply, and lasts longer than you'd think.
- For stuck windows, silicone spray lubricant works wonders... unsticks them smoothly without leaving residue.
Weatherstripping tape is pretty handy, but have you noticed it sometimes peels off or gets gummy after a while? Silicone spray's great for stuck windows, though I've found graphite powder works nicely too—especially on older wooden frames. Anyone tried rope caulk for drafts? It's kinda like play-doh, easy to press into gaps, and you can remove it later without hassle... curious if anyone else has had luck with it.
I've never heard of rope caulk before, but it sounds pretty handy. Does it leave any residue behind when you remove it later? I'm still figuring out what works best in my old place—so far weatherstripping tape has been hit or miss.
Rope caulk is pretty great stuff, especially if you're still experimenting with solutions. I've used it a bunch in my old farmhouse—windows from the 1920s, drafts everywhere. It doesn't usually leave residue, but if it's been sitting there for years (like mine did once), you might get a little sticky spot or two. Nothing major though, just wipes off with some rubbing alcohol or Goo Gone. Definitely worth trying out if weatherstripping tape hasn't been reliable for you... old houses can be tricky!