Window
Condensation
Question
I reglazed my windows that are mounted in metal grooves. I thought they
were tight, but I got condensation on the inside of my storms. I then
weather-stripped the windows with Mortite, a flexible rope-type caulking.
Still, I get condensation on the storms. Whats wrong and what
can I do about it?
Answer
If the condensation (and frost) tend to develop in the morning and there
is not much of it to be a bother or to melt into water to rot the sills,
and it tends to dissipate as the day goes on, then nothing may be wrong.
I have well-weather-stripped windows, high-quality storms, and interior
storms as well, and I still get condensation and frost on my storms,
which means I am losing house air into the cavity between storm and
main window. Since the condensation tends to dissipate as the day goes
on, and it is not heavy, I say the heck with it; the only fix is to
buy new windows, and it is not worth the expense.
You can try this: Put a plastic interior storm on the frame of the window,
and caulk the sides and top of the window casing. The only other thing
that might work is to check the weep holes in the bottom metal sill
of the storms. There should be two of them, each about 4 inches in from
each side. They are designed to release water vapor that might build
up between storm and main windows. If they are plugged, open them up
with a coat-hanger wire. If there are none, drill a ? inch hole in the
metal sill as close to the wood as possible, 4 inches in from each side
of the storm. These holes will not affect the insulating value of the
storms.
*****
Question
I reglazed my windows that are mounted in metal grooves. I thought they
were tight, but I got condensation on the inside of my storms. I then
weather-stripped the windows with Mortite, a flexible rope-type caulking.
Still, I get condensation on the storms. Whats wrong and what
can I do about it?
Answer
If the condensation (and frost) tend to develop in the morning and there
is not much of it to be a bother or to melt into water to rot the sills,
and it tends to dissipate as the day goes on, then nothing may be wrong.
I have well-weather-stripped windows, high-quality storms, and interior
storms as well, and I still get condensation and frost on my storms,
which means I am losing house air into the cavity between storm and
main window. Since the condensation tends to dissipate as the day goes
on, and it is not heavy, I say the heck with it; the only fix is to
buy new windows, and it is not worth the expense.
You can try this: Put a plastic interior storm on the frame of the window,
and caulk the sides and top of the window casing. The only other thing
that might work is to check the weep holes in the bottom metal sill
of the storms. There should be two of them, each about 4 inches in from
each side. They are designed to release water vapor that might build
up between storm and main windows. If they are plugged, open them up
with a coat-hanger wire. If there are none, drill a ? inch hole in the
metal sill as close to the wood as possible, 4 inches in from each side
of the storm. These holes will not affect the insulating value of the
storms.
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