Another condensation question

My vinyl double pane windows are fairly new, 6 years old, and were installed by a builder who is now out of business. The window stamp says they're Ampane which I cannot find any information on anywhere. But I'm guessing the warranty is only for 5 years (just a Murphy's law guess since my windows just turned 6 years old...).

One of my windows has some slight fogging between the window panes. It just started happening this month which is peculiar since I have the windows open all the time so the inside and outside temperatures are about the same. From what I've read, it's usually due to the different temperatures outside and inside? Or are there any other causes?

If it's just the temperatures, is there any harm in not doing anything about it? I know my only option is to replace the window but honestly, I don't want to fork out that kind of money right now if it's just going to be an annoyance and not affect anything structurally.

Thanks!

 

If you see moisture or fogging between insulated window panes, the seal is gone and it needs to be replaced for insulation value.
It will not affect the structure of the vinyl window for the insulated glass to lose its seal. You can replace it when you can.
Good Luck!
Mike

 

You don't need to replace the window -- JUST the IG unit (the glass).

If it's the sliding pane, take it to a glass shop. They will measure and order a new one for you. Takes about a week to get, then you'll return it to the glass shop and they can install it in the frame.

If it's the stationary pane, call the glass shop -- they will come to the window and do the same thing.

 

I don't have an answer to your question, rather the same problem.
We just purchased a repo. house and it has 10 double pane windows (approx.
6'x3') that are stationary. They apparently all have had condensation in between the panes. I have not seen any since we moved in in October.
The windows have a white film inside, some of it could be slight mold? It is groce. We don't have the money right now to replace those windows. On our aluminum spacer inbetween the glass panes it also says AMPANE 8-22. I did a little research and read that behind the aluminum spacer are little silicone pebbles to keep the moisture out.
My question is, can we take the window apart, clean it and temporarily put it back together until they can be replaced?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

SFarmer,

No, there is nothing that you can do to repair the IG units. The condensation is there because the seals have broken. The ONLY cure is to replace the IG units.

 

There is a widely held misconception that seal failure affects the energy performance of the window. It does not. Between-the-lites condensation is an aesthetic issue and not a performance issue.

If you choose to change the glazing then the window will look better but you won't improve energy performance - assuming that you replace it with the same glass package as it originally had.

Also, as lefty mentioned, you cannot repair an IGU. You simply don't have access to the materials that you would need to do so. You could take it apart and clean it and put it back together, but you would not be able to achieve a proper seal and it would rather quickly fog up again.

The little beads in the spacer are desiccant. These guys suck up moisture to keep the space dry and to avoid condensation in the space. The fact that you have condensation indicates that the beads are saturated and are no longer able to remove excess moisture from the air.

 

I'll disagree with Oberon, but only on a very trivial level.

I've seen failed IGU's with standing water inside them. They look like a good place for a gold fish! So maybe failed IGU's with standing water (minus the gold fish) inside them are less efficient than failed IGU's that is still dry.

I'm just messing with ya.

 

Okay - under less severe conditions there is no effect - I will amend my previous statement that far!

<Laughing!>

I WILL stand behind my statement that the desiccant would be moisture saturated in that situation...