Window Condensation – Is It A Solvable Problem?

Window condensation in the home can be a real problem. If you do nothing to decrease the window condensation, the walls around the window and the floor below could begin to rot and grow mold. So what can you do about window condensation?

Will installing new windows put a stop to window condensation?

It might. Your older windows are not built as well as newer windows are. This causes the interior surface temperature of the window to maintain a cooler temperature than newer windows would. The new windows will help maintain a regulated surface temperature that won't promote the condensation forming.

One thing to know is that newer windows may not put a stop to the condensation completely. If new windows still form condensation on them, it is likely due to extreme humidity levels in the home and no way for the moist air to escape. Some people have seen condensation form on new windows when it didn't form on the windows that they had replaced. This is because the older windows had air leaks around them that gave the moist air a way to escape the home. Now that the new windows are installed, there is no escape for the moist air, so condensation forms.

Will hanging drapes put a stop to window condensation?

You might think that hanging thick drapes to keep the warm moist interior air away from the windows will help, but it won't. Instead, the drapes could make the problem worse. The drapes will prevent warm air from heating the glass on the windows to help keep the temperature high enough to prevent condensation. Then, when the interior humidity level increases, the windows will be more likely to form condensation.

So what can you do to put a stop to window condensation?

You must lower the interior humidity level of your home. To do that:

1. Run a dehumidifier.
2. Run fans to circulate the air inside your home.
3. Reduce the number of houseplants you have.
4. Keep your gutters clean.
5. Fix the exterior landscape grade to allow water to run away from the foundation.
6. Repair plumbing leaks as soon as possible.
7. Inspect windows and doors to ensure water is not leaking behind the wall around them.
8. Use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms to pull moist air out of the home.
9. Make sure that your dryer vent is connected.
10. Identify and repair foundation problems immediately.
11. Have your roof inspected each year.

Talk with your local window professional to learn more about window condensation and what you can do to stop it before it causes extensive damage to your home. Contact a company like Valley Glass Inc to get started.