November 9, 2022
Moisture on Windows
You’re standing by your window admiring the view and then you notice it. Moisture has built up around the edges of the glass. Should you worry?
It all depends on the reason for the buildup.
If you have the traditional double-pane glass in your windows, there are a few things to look for if you notice moisture.
Often, moisture at the bottom of your windows is simply caused by too much humidity in your indoor air. If that’s the case, simply adjust your humidifier.
If the moisture is on the outside of the window, typically there’s also no problem with the window itself. It may have rained recently, or the outside humidity may have spiked causing the accumulation. Generally, there’s no reason for concern.
However, if the moisture is in between the two panes of glass, this could mean that the seal is broken and surrounding air – along with its water content – is making its way in. This disrupts and reduces the energy efficiency. If the glass feels noticeably colder than your other windows on chilly days, then you’ll need to replace the pane.
Similarly, if the moisture is coming in through only one spot – the bottom right corner for example – then you might have a leak. If you have a wood frame or sill, you may also notice a growing water stain. It’s important to get leaks fixed quickly, because these could cause water damage within the frame that if not visible.
What to do if you have any of these types of moisture?
There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the moisture in your home and keep the problem of condensation under control.
The warmer the air in your home, the greater the amount of condensation. Try turning down your thermostat by a couple of degrees to equalize the temperature and tackle the problem.
An automatic dehumidifier is a good – if pricey – investment if you have a big problem with condensation. Otherwise, you can try affordable dehumidifier boxes with damp crystals to remove excess moisture from the air.
Keep your home properly ventilated by regularly opening your windows. Always open curtains and blinds to prevent the formation of humid air between the curtain and the glass.
Circulating the air can also help reduce the condensation on your windows. You can use your ceiling fans even in the winter. The fans can rotate in a clockwise direction to push warm air off of the ceiling back down to the floor.
Use your bathroom and kitchen fans every time you cook or shower. Showering and cooking releases a lot of moisture into the air, and sometimes this moisture cannot escape from the house easily. The exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom help remove this moisture from the air.
Adding weather stripping to your windows can help keep warm air from leaving your home, that way the condensation will be reduced if you’re using storm windows during the winter months. Weather stripping also makes your home more energy efficient.
Do you still get condensation?
Then the next step is to upgrade your windows. One of the most effective ways is to invest in a window glazing.
Double glazed windowpanes retain more heat meaning they’re much better at controlling condensation on the inside of the pane. But if you really want to control the problem then you need triple glazing. The additional pane of glass will make your home very well insulated. Triple glazed windows are cutting the temperature difference and preventing the formation of water droplets. You can contact your local hardware stores and ask to speak with a specialist, who will suggest the best possible solution for your situation.
Ecko Jay Realty Ltd.