Sweat windows: causes and ways to fix the problem

Many are faced with the problem of condensation inside and outside the glass unit installed in an apartment or a private house. However, not everyone knows the causes and remedies of this problem. When windows often sweat, it not only spoils the appearance of the window construction, but also poses a threat to the appearance and spread of fungal growths and mold. This article will discuss the methods of dealing with condensate on glass.

Condensate is a product of steam-to-liquid conversion.This phenomenon looks like the accumulation of water droplets on the surface. In the event of windows misting up, the liquid on the glass surface usually settles in rather large quantities. Drops of water are gradually collected and flow down, forming a puddle or a wet spot on the windowsill.

Condensate always leads to excessive moisture, which, in turn, can trigger the appearance of fungus and mold on the slopes or windowsill. Most often, windows in a private house or apartment flow in the winter. To explain the accumulation of fluid on the surface of glass can be using such a concept in physics as "dew point".

The “dew point” is measured in degrees and reflects the temperature to which the air needs to be cooled in order for the vapor to start converting to liquid. In the kitchen, when cooking, it is often possible to observe condensate settling on cold surfaces.

First of all, the microclimate in the room itself affects the formation of condensate on the windows.There are certain norms of temperature and humidity, which are often violated due to some factors. The optimum temperature in a residential area should be about 18-23 degrees Celsius with a humidity of not more than 50%. At the same time it is necessary to organize good ventilation.

Ventilation in the apartments is mainly represented by an exhaust hood in the bathroom and in the kitchen, but in other rooms it is most often not. In the living rooms and on the balcony, the role of ventilation channels is played by the gaps between the window frame and the wall. However, this mainly concerns old windows made of wood, as the metal-plastic constructions are notable for their excellent airtightness.

The problem of misted windows does not have a universal solution, since there are quite a few causes of condensate. This problem can be caused by a number of factors.

• Poor ventilation in the room.
• The high level of humidity in the room, which may be primarily caused by everyday actions. For example, in the kitchen, humidity increases due to cooking. In some rooms can be installed dryer. Wet things also affect the level of humidity in the room.
• Type of glass.Single-chamber double-glazed windows do not provide an adequate level of thermal insulation, and installing them in residential premises is not recommended.
• Temporary reasons for the formation of condensate include repairs. After the finish, some time should pass in order for the microclimate to return to normal in the room.

• Incorrect installation of window construction.
• Factory marriage of the window construction itself.
• Temperature conditions in the room.
• The presence on the windowsill of a large number of indoor plants.

The quality of plastic windows depends on the manufacturer. Not all designs perform their functions equally well. If condensation is detected on the glass, it is necessary to inspect the window structure for defects.

Marriage can be expressed as follows:

• crevices in window shutters;
• deformed frame;
• cracks in the glass;
• badly attached hardware.

In case of damage to the glass unit, it must be completely replaced.Covering the cracks with an adhesive will give only a temporary effect and, moreover, will spoil the appearance of the glass. This defect is most often caused by improper transportation of the window construction, and the supplying company is also responsible for it.

Some types of flowers that are intended for growing at home in pots, abundantly emit moisture into the air. In the presence of a large number of such plants on the windowsill creates the effect of a greenhouse, which contributes to the formation of condensate. It’s quite simple to check whether flowers are the cause of window fogging; it is necessary to free the window sill for a while and move the pots to another place. If the condensate has disappeared, then it is not necessary to return the plants to their original location.

Too large and dense sill can interfere with good heating of the window structure. Heat from the heating radiator will simply not come to the glass. Replacing the window sill or a few holes in it will help solve this problem. Heat from the batteries will eliminate excess moisture and prevent it from settling on the glasses.

Dense long curtains, as well as a large window sill, can block the spread of heat from radiators. This problem is particularly relevant in the winter. In this case, it is recommended to open the battery, and for this it is not necessary to completely abandon the curtains. It will be enough to replace them with a shorter version so that the space below the windows remains free and does not overlap with a cloth.

All window designs can be divided into several types. You can classify windows by the following criteria:

• production material;
• installation site;
• opening method;
• the form.

The main factor that must be taken into account when diagnosing the problem of condensation and its elimination is the place of installation of the structure. Quite often skylights are exposed attic windows. First of all, this is due to the features of the attic.

Under the window structures, a heating radiator must be installed, and a ventilation system should function smoothly in the attic itself. Since the attic is located on the last floor of the building under the roof, moisture from the lower floors rises exactly there.

Especially often condensation on the windows settles in unheated rooms. This is due to the loss of heat from the heated rooms, which are adjacent to the room without heating. In this case, excess moisture often freezes and turns into ice.

A frequent cause of fogging of windows on a loggia or balcony is the poor warming of these rooms, when the walls are very cold in the cold season. For better thermal insulation it is recommended to finish with special plates on the outside of the balcony.

The reason for the formation of condensate, as well as ways to eliminate it, also depend on the material from which the windows were made. According to this criterion, several types of window structures can be distinguished.

• Wood windows for some indicators inferior plastic structures.However, many appreciate them for the aesthetics and environmental friendliness of natural material. And also window designs from a tree are widespread in village houses.
• Plastic designs are made from high quality polyvinyl chloride. Nowadays, PVC windows and double-glazed windows are used rather rarely, since they are replaced by stronger structures with reinforcing steel elements.
• Metal plastic designs differ from PVC windows in an internal metal frame. This frame provides good strength window construction.

The reason for the fogging of wooden window structures most often lies in the high level of humidity and temperature inside the room when it is cold outside. The difference in temperature provokes the appearance of condensate. If there are not filled gaps between the window frame and the wall, cold air will penetrate into the room through them, which, in turn, will increase the humidity in the room.

Without proper insulation during the winter, wooden windows can absorb a lot of moisture and swell.When warming, it will be very difficult to open them.Excessive sealing of structures with the help of sealing compounds will lead to the same effect, since the natural air circulation is disturbed.

Many country houses use gas heating, which also affects the level of humidity inside the room. In the process of burning gas emits moisture, which is subsequently converted to a liquid state and is deposited on various surfaces.

On the common causes of misting windows mentioned earlier. All considered cases mainly concern PVC windows. But it is also worth noting that, unlike wooden window constructions, plastic windows are very hermetic.

The technical characteristics of metal-plastic windows are in no way inferior to those of PVC structures, and even have some superiority. The causes of condensation on windows with internal metal frames are the same as those of PVC structures.

Before taking any measures to eliminate condensate on windows, it is necessary to establish the reason for its appearance. The most accurate results can be obtained with a thermal imager, which will show exactly what part of the heat loss occurs. However, not everyone has the opportunity to use this device, and therefore it is necessary to take several measures at once to eliminate the most likely causes of window fogging.

In the fight against misted windows, you can resort to special formulations for glass processing. Such tools can be purchased at the store, or make an analog yourself. The accumulation of fat on the surface of the glass can be one of the causes of condensation. For degreasing the window will require alcohol-based composition.

First, the glass is cleaned from contamination with a solution of water and dishwashing detergent. Next, it is necessary to wipe it dry with a soft cloth or remove the remaining water with a rubber scraper. Dry surface is treated with alcohol.

As a preventive measure for fogging and icing of condensate, glass processing with a mixture of salt and water can be used. In this case, it is necessary to prepare a solution at the rate of one tablespoon of fine salt without a slide and four liters of pure water. The resulting composition is applied to clean glass. In the event that white stains appeared on the surface after treatment and drying, the concentration of the solution should be reduced and the procedure should be repeated.

Glycerin allows you to form a water-repellent film on the glass surface, therefore it is very effective in combating condensate. The tool must first be entered to the medical alcohol so that the ratio of substances was 1 to 10, respectively. The resulting composition must be smeared glass from the inside of the room.

Not always the windows mist over from the inside or outside of the room. Moisture can also accumulate between double glazed windows. In this case, the presence of condensate most often indicates a malfunction of the window construction itself, since the problem arises due to the poor tightness of the glass unit. To eliminate the problem associated with the factory marriage, you can only by replacing the glass.

As an alternative method of condensate elimination, it is possible to carry out regular ventilation of the room. Thus, it will be possible to reduce the difference between the temperatures inside and outside the building.

To eliminate condensate on the skylights, first of all you need to check the installation of heating radiators and ventilation systems. And you should also make sure that the roof vapor barrier was installed, in case of its absence - to install.

Another effective method of dealing with condensate on the skylights is to install a vent valve.

Most often condensation on the glass is formed from the side of the room. Methods of struggle will depend on the cause of its occurrence. First of all, you can try the easiest ways, for example, regular airing.You should also make sure that the fogging of the glasses is not connected with the ventilation system. If the ventilation duct is blocked, it must be cleaned.

Another common cause of condensation is the temperature in the room. If there is no good thermal insulation, then fogging of the windows is almost inevitable.

Do not forget that excessive moisture inside the room will settle on the windows in the form of condensate. The source of high humidity can be quite familiar household actions or objects. When misting windows from the side of the room is recommended to reduce the humidity. First of all, it is recommended to remove all or at least most of the sources of moisture from the room:

• houseplants;
• aquariums;
• clothes dryers;
• humidifier and air purifier.

Sometimes the glass does not fog up inside the room, but outside. This is due to the difference in temperature outside and in the room. It is impossible to completely eliminate this problem if we are not talking about unheated rooms.A simple solution in this case will be the use of special tools for applying to the surface of the glass.

Such compositions have water-repellent properties and prevent the sedimentation of moisture on the windows. The technology of applying a hydrophobic agent is quite simple and consists of the following:

• glass must be washed and degreased;
• to wipe glass that the surface became dry and without stains;
• distribute the water-repellent mixture, while it is most convenient to use products in aerosol cans;
• dry the glass again with a clean, soft cloth.

Fighting condensation on windows can be done not only by replacing the glass unit or with the help of available tools. In the modern market, you can purchase special-purpose devices to improve the indoor microclimate.

If the problem is related to high humidity, then you can purchase a household air dryer. The device operates on the principle of taking in moist air, cooling it and outputting it in a liquid state to a special container or outside the building. Home appliances are equipped with a tray for collecting condensate.

Often the problems are associated not only with the humidity of the air in the room, but also with the temperature regime. In the cold season, heating radiators do not always cope with the heating of the room properly. At temperatures below 18 degrees it is recommended to organize additional heating of the room.

For fast achievement of optimum temperatures in the room it is possible to use a household fan heater. The device heats the air to the desired temperature in a short time. Some device models can also function as a regular fan.

When the problem of condensation is associated with poor ventilation of the room, you can install the intake ventilation system.Modern constructions are often equipped with the function of heating the air, which prevents cold from entering the street and freezing of the system. For an apartment, it will be sufficient to install compact ventilation.

• Before taking any measures to eliminate condensate on the glass, it is necessary to find out why moisture accumulation occurs. At first glance, it seems that the reason for the fogging of windows lies in the wrong installation of the structure. However, improper installation is not the most common cause of condensation, so it is important to consider all the possible factors.
• It will be useful to pay attention to the place of installation of radiators, as well as their quality. If the battery is located far from the window construction, then it is unlikely to eliminate the problem of steaming windows without transferring a radiator. A cold wall under the windowsill will cause moisture to form on the glass panes.
• A big role in eliminating or preventing condensation on windows is played by ventilation in the apartment. The ventilation system should function without failures, for which it periodically needs to be cleaned.

For information on how to eliminate window fogging, see the following video.