Yeah, sealing around dryer vents is a great tip. I learned the hard way when I found lint buildup around mine—turns out the flap had warped slightly and wasn't closing all the way. Replacing it and adding some silicone made a noticeable difference in drafts (and probably saved me from a fire hazard too).
I haven't run into moisture issues myself after sealing plumbing gaps, but I've definitely heard stories like your friend's. It seems to depend a lot on how much foam you use and where exactly you apply it. I try to keep it minimal and give everything plenty of air space.
Have you (or anyone else here) tried using weatherstripping or door sweeps for interior doors leading to unheated spaces? My mudroom gets pretty chilly, and I'm wondering if it's worth tackling those interior drafts as well...
I've tried weatherstripping on the interior door to our basement (it's unheated and always cold down there), and it definitely helped cut down on the chill creeping upstairs. Door sweeps work pretty well too, but make sure they're not dragging too much or you'll get annoyed every time you open the door, haha. One thing I've noticed is that sealing interior drafts can also help even out the temperature throughout the house, making heating a bit more efficient overall. Worth giving it a shot, I'd say.
"One thing I've noticed is that sealing interior drafts can also help even out the temperature throughout the house, making heating a bit more efficient overall."
Good points, but honestly, sealing interior doors might not always be the best move. Houses need some airflow to prevent moisture buildup and stale air pockets. I learned this the hard way after sealing up my basement door too tightly—ended up with condensation issues down there. Sometimes it's better to tackle insulation or drafts at exterior walls first and let interior spaces breathe a bit...
Yeah, sealing up interior drafts can definitely help even things out, but like mentioned, you gotta be careful not to go overboard. When I first started renovating, I went nuts sealing every little gap inside, thinking it'd make a huge difference. Ended up with stale air and some weird humidity issues. Once I shifted focus to exterior insulation and sealing around windows and doors, things improved dramatically. You're on the right track—just keep an eye on airflow and moisture as you go.
Totally hear you on exterior sealing being a game changer, but honestly, I wouldn’t write off interior sealing completely. When I first got my place, it felt like the wind was blowing right through the living room walls—seriously, you could feel a breeze while binge-watching TV on the sofa. Sealing interior gaps in moderation (key word: moderation!) made a noticeable difference in comfort without turning the house into a humid cave. Balance is everything, and sometimes those little interior tweaks can surprise you.
