If you’ve ever experienced window sweat, you know how irritating it can be. Window condensation is a common problem in the wintertime and can leave your windows, frames and sills wet. Not only is it an annoying problem to deal with, it can also cause damage to your home. Rotting wood and plaster damage are two of the major issues that can surface due to window condensation.
Even if your home is well insulated, you may still notice window condensation. This is likely due to the humidity in your home being too high. When the moisture generated inside your home isn’t able to escape, and the warm inside air condenses on the cold windows, window sweat is bound to happen.
Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent and eliminate indoor window condensation. Check out the main culprits of window sweating and what you can do to stop it.
What Causes Window Condensation?
Window condensation is caused by excessive moisture in your house. This could be coming from things like gas or propane from your fireplace, a humidifier, green plants, or ground moisture coming up from the concrete slab outside. If you just moved in to a new-build, the materials may still be drying out. New wood and concrete can take up to 18 months to dry, so the moisture could just as well be coming from there.
Major Problems with Window Condensation
Window condensation can be a pain in the neck, but it can also lead to severe home damage. It not only leads to mould and damage on your window frames and plaster, if it gets more serious, it can result in decay within your wall cavities and attic. If your windows are sweating beyond the point of being able to wipe them with a towel, talk to a home inspector who can help you with the issue.
What to Do
Consider all rooms and areas of you house to see where the excess moisture and humidity may be coming from. Using ceiling fans helps to circulate the air, and you can open your doors and windows on days when it’s not too cold to let some warm air out. Make sure to move your pants away from your windows and you can even look into buying a dehumidifier.
You can also invest in a hygrometer to monitor your indoor relative humidity. This way you can track the issue as well as what works and what doesn’t when you’re trying to solve the problem.
Storm Windows
Storm windows can help reduce condensation in the winter months. The extra layer of glass allows the interior window to stay warmer and helps reduce frost build up. Plus, the increased thermal performance will help cut heating bills during the winter. Gentek carries Aluminum Storm Windows, so make sure to ask your local Gentek dealer for more information if you’re interested in this product!
If your windows are sweating, make sure to stop them any way you can. Talk with a home inspector to find out exactly what you need to do so there’s no excessive damage to your home.