A thorough inspection of a building may turn up some problems that go beyond a simple caulking job.
Hire a qualified building inspector to fully audit the building and clear up any doubts.
BE CAUTIOUS! There can be hazards, hiding under layers that have been applied over the life of the building. Always wear your Personal Protective Equipment!
TOOLS TO HAVE HANDY:
Pocket knife or scratch awl for poking at wood
Smoke pencil or wood matches
Flashlight
Thermographic camera
Camera - take pictures of the inspection!
PROBLEM AREAS TO WATCH FOR
Area
Problem
Doors and windows
cold spots - air leakage around trim
rot at the sills
poor operation, loose parts / hardware
single panes of glass
condensation, frost on glass, water stains
Electric and plumbing
outlets / fixtures
cold spots - air leakage at receptacles or pipe inlets
remove an electrical outlet plate, check the box and how it's been treated for air tightness - look for loose VB or poorly sealed areas.
Check basement / cellar for waste and fresh water connections, ext. hose bib piping - look for insulation or gaskets around piping.
Attic hatches and attics
Light a match, blow it out and watch where the smoke goes.
Feel for cold drafts
Check the hatch assembly for insulation and weatherstripping
Visually inspect the attic for signs of moisture / mold / rot.
Floor joists and headers (rim joists)
Look in the basement / cellar and inspect the header area - any insulation or air sealing?
Look for rot at the header or water staining - do a few test pokes with a screw driver or knife to gauge punky wood.
Ventilation for appliances and HVAC
Inspect the areas on the inside and outside where vents are located - any sealing done around the exhaust / fresh air?
Any water stains or deterioration around the pipes?
GET A QUALIFIED HVAC TECHNICIAN for BALANCING THE VENTILATION WITH AIR TIGHTNESS IMPROVEMENTS!!
Basements and Foundations
Look for cracks in slab floor and foundation walls, especially concrete block
Mortar missing in stone walls - look for tell tale sand at the base of the wall
Look for sign of rodents - if they are getting in, air is leaking out.
Any type of framed walls over the foundation? Look for water stains, rot in the plates
Musty smells, mold, moisture - sure sign of air leakage and issues with migrating moisture.