Draft Detection Guide

Begin with a thorough visual examination of your rental unit:

• Check all window frames for visible gaps or cracks
• Inspect door frames, especially at the bottom
• Look for gaps around electrical outlets and switch plates
• Examine baseboards for separation from walls
• Check where pipes or cables enter through walls

Take photos of any visible gaps to track which areas need attention.

On a cold, windy day, carefully move your hand around potential draft areas:

• Hold your hand 1-2 inches from window edges
• Move slowly along door frames from top to bottom
• Check around air conditioning units and vents
• Test areas where you feel colder when sitting or standing

You'll feel cold air movement where drafts are present. Mark these locations with painter's tape for later sealing.

Light an incense stick or candle and hold it near suspected draft areas:

• Watch for smoke movement or flame flickering
• Move slowly along window and door edges
• Horizontal smoke movement indicates air flow
• Strong drafts will pull smoke or bend the flame

This is one of the most reliable methods to visualize air movement.

A simple, safe alternative to the candle test:

• Hold a thin piece of tissue paper or toilet paper near suspected areas
• Watch for movement or fluttering in the paper
• Works best in areas with moderate to strong drafts
• Completely safe and requires no special equipment

Create a prioritized action plan:

• Take photos of all identified draft locations
• Rank areas by severity (strong, moderate, minor)
• Estimate the size of gaps (use a ruler or coin for scale in photos)
• Group areas by solution type (window film, weatherstripping, door sweep, etc.)
• Focus on the most severe drafts first for maximum impact

This documentation will help you purchase the right materials and track your progress.