Condensation on Window (Inside)
#1
10-20-04, 05:09 AM
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Condensation on Window (Inside)
This past weekend I woke up to condensation on my windows. I originally thought it was outside, until I wiped it off with my finger. These are brand new windows, double paned. Should condensation ever appear on the windows inside my house?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
10-20-04, 05:18 AM
Don't blame the windows just yet -- condensation is caused by a LOT of sources!! (The bathroom mirror fogs up when you take a shower, but that's not the mirror's fault!!) Vinyl or aluminum frames?
Your new windows have reduced or eliminated the air leakage that your old windows had. That leakage was allowing moist (warm) air to escape from the house. You need to look at sources of humidity inside the house and reduce it. What's your heat source?
Your new windows have reduced or eliminated the air leakage that your old windows had. That leakage was allowing moist (warm) air to escape from the house. You need to look at sources of humidity inside the house and reduce it. What's your heat source?
#3
10-20-04, 05:35 AM
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The windows are vinyl replacements. I have oil baseboard heat.
I thought that could be it, but the condensation only appeared in 1 room, not in the other rooms on the same thermostat.
Other background: the house was just sided, it has brand new paint on the inside, no ventilation in the room except for the windows, windows face the sun, temp on that day was pretty chilly outside.
Thanks
I thought that could be it, but the condensation only appeared in 1 room, not in the other rooms on the same thermostat.
Other background: the house was just sided, it has brand new paint on the inside, no ventilation in the room except for the windows, windows face the sun, temp on that day was pretty chilly outside.
Thanks
#4
10-20-04, 06:17 AM
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when it's cold as heck outside and HOT inside, it's bound to happen, more so if your heater is close by. The good point here is it's only the glass sweating. Old aluminum windows sweat frame and glass, causing damage to your house.
thats why windows went to thermal brake aluminum " trying to stop the sweating" , then vinly. In rare cases due to extream cold and heat, even vinly windows sweat.
Vinyl windows can sweat at the glass, dripping down to the track and making it's way outside.
a number of things could contribute to the sweating. pore insulation in the walls, bad caulking, and over all thickness of the unit ( glass unit ). Meaning 1/2 inch over all has a lower R value than 1 inch. even 3/4 and 7/8 over all is more likely to sweat than a 1 inch.Having Low-E and argon gas filled units helps your window to. some heat sources cause a house to have condensation more than others even on the walls of your house with pore insulation.
thats why windows went to thermal brake aluminum " trying to stop the sweating" , then vinly. In rare cases due to extream cold and heat, even vinly windows sweat.
Vinyl windows can sweat at the glass, dripping down to the track and making it's way outside.
a number of things could contribute to the sweating. pore insulation in the walls, bad caulking, and over all thickness of the unit ( glass unit ). Meaning 1/2 inch over all has a lower R value than 1 inch. even 3/4 and 7/8 over all is more likely to sweat than a 1 inch.Having Low-E and argon gas filled units helps your window to. some heat sources cause a house to have condensation more than others even on the walls of your house with pore insulation.
#5
10-20-04, 06:46 AM
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Alternate Possibilities - Thinking Out Of The Box
Hello: projectmaster.
You mentioned condensation happens in only that room and to those windows. You also mentioned new painting and outside new siding.
Far fetched possibility granted but check the window frames venting slots. May be or have been closed off or restricted during any of the above other home improvements. Paint or caulking may have blocked those venting slots.
Windows must have internal venting to outside through those built in venting slots or holes or windows will be susceptible to condensation build up during heat changes and temp differentials between interior and exteriors.
Try leaving effected window(s) just slighty opened a tiny amount and note if there is a difference. Slighty opened may create just enough ventilation close by to reveal the problem.
Also remove the moveable pane and inspect the track above looking for signs or present evidence of moisture or condensation. May be coming down from above window and onto and or into window. Not a fault with the window, if that where to be the case.
May be caused by faulty installation or condensation above window frame, etc. Especially if the venting slots in the window frame are unobstructed, etc. Intent is to determine if there is an alternate cause for the problem, since the condition only applies to those two windows in that one room or area.
"My Two Cents"
You mentioned condensation happens in only that room and to those windows. You also mentioned new painting and outside new siding.
Far fetched possibility granted but check the window frames venting slots. May be or have been closed off or restricted during any of the above other home improvements. Paint or caulking may have blocked those venting slots.
Windows must have internal venting to outside through those built in venting slots or holes or windows will be susceptible to condensation build up during heat changes and temp differentials between interior and exteriors.
Try leaving effected window(s) just slighty opened a tiny amount and note if there is a difference. Slighty opened may create just enough ventilation close by to reveal the problem.
Also remove the moveable pane and inspect the track above looking for signs or present evidence of moisture or condensation. May be coming down from above window and onto and or into window. Not a fault with the window, if that where to be the case.
May be caused by faulty installation or condensation above window frame, etc. Especially if the venting slots in the window frame are unobstructed, etc. Intent is to determine if there is an alternate cause for the problem, since the condition only applies to those two windows in that one room or area.
"My Two Cents"
#6
10-20-04, 07:15 AM
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how do i prove faulty installation? basically i have been having problems with the installer since day 1. his work overall is shotty. i don't know much about construction beyond weekend-warrior level, how can i prove or disprove it is his fault?
thank you all for your advice.
thank you all for your advice.
#7
10-20-04, 07:31 AM
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did you have a window Co. install them? if you think it's faulty call his shop, talk to the owner, have them " not him " come out and inspect.
Did he start on these 2 windows? Did you watch him install them?
I don't think anyone said he was at fault, but if you suspect, call.
To inspect his work it's going to entail a little tearing on your house to see how they were installed and if anything was missed.If nothing was missed, they could charge you labor for the inspection.
Call the BBB and see if anyone else complained about this person and or Co.
Call the window manufacture and tell them about your problem, maybe they have run across this in the past and have a fix.
Did he start on these 2 windows? Did you watch him install them?
I don't think anyone said he was at fault, but if you suspect, call.
To inspect his work it's going to entail a little tearing on your house to see how they were installed and if anything was missed.If nothing was missed, they could charge you labor for the inspection.
Call the BBB and see if anyone else complained about this person and or Co.
Call the window manufacture and tell them about your problem, maybe they have run across this in the past and have a fix.
#8
11-03-04, 01:15 PM
Lefty is on the right track, the problem is not the windows, it is the indoor humidity level. Your house has new windows and siding, it is much tighter than it was before, the moisture can not escape like it could before. Also the new paint drying on the interior walls will add to the indoor humidity level.
If you have april air or other humidifier on your furnace turn it down or off.
Run a dehumidifier in the problem room for a day or two. Run the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans when showering or cooking.
The same problem can occur when a new high efficiency furnace is installed as they do not remove as much humidity from a house as the older less efficient furnaces vented up the chimney.
If you have april air or other humidifier on your furnace turn it down or off.
Run a dehumidifier in the problem room for a day or two. Run the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans when showering or cooking.
The same problem can occur when a new high efficiency furnace is installed as they do not remove as much humidity from a house as the older less efficient furnaces vented up the chimney.
#9
11-03-04, 01:26 PM
These are brand new windows, double paned. Should condensation ever appear on the windows inside my house?
Do you mean that they are thermopane windows. If so they should have no water on them at all no matter what the humidity is in the home.ED
#10
11-03-04, 03:07 PM
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I go with Navigator.............."the new paint drying on the interior walls will add to the indoor humidity level". You'll know in a few days if that's the problem.
