I had new storms put on my windows over the summer. This winter in the Northeast has been warm and humid - and I am getting a huge amount of condensation in between the new storms and the old double hung windows. This is causing the wood to be wet, paint to peel and will eventually (I assume) cause some rotting in the sill and window.

I know that this problem is usually caused by lack of weepholes. I looked at the exterior of the storms and noticed that the installer did leave two 'slots' (without caulking) on either side of the the bottom of the storm where it meets the sill. These were clogged on the inside, so I cleared them using a screwdriver and nails where necessary. I thought this would clear up the problem, but the condensation has continued.

My question is whether these really are sufficient as weepholes. Do weepholes need to go straight down through the sill? Or should these open slots (each about the width and thickness of a dime) at the bottom of the storm be sufficient? What else should I do? I can upload a picture if that helps.

Thanks.

 

The condensation has nothing to do with the weep holes. The weep holes are there to let out any water that is trapped behind the sill expander.

The condensation is forming between the windows mainly because warm, humid air from your home is leaking out your drafty prime windows and is hitting the cooler air that is between your storm window and your prime windows.

Are the storm windows caulked on, or not? Many times when the edges of a storm window are caulked, it does not allow any air exchange and the humidity will build up to the point where it literally runs down the glass like rain- just like you have described. We *never* caulk on storm windows for this reason, and if the homeowner insists that we do, we warn them what will happen- it is exactly what you have described.

Storm windows do not need to be completely air tight to do their job, which is to act as a buffer to the weather. Years ago, they used wooden storms that hung on hooks. They were never caulked on and neither should the newer, weatherstripped versions.

 

I am still wondering what I can do to solve the problem?

The storm windows are caulked on - I did not ask the installers to do so when installing, but now its done. What should I do to stop the moisture buildup?

Thanks.

 

Sorry, I thought that was clear, my fault. Remove the storm windows, remove the caulking. Reinstall the storm windows minus the caulking. If the storm windows can breathe, it should eliminate the moisture problem.