Condensation, or moisture build-up, on windows can be frustrating and unsightly. Recurring condensation can cause long-term window damage as well as several health issues if left untreated. However, with these tips, you can keep your windows in good working order and reduce internal and external condensation damage.
Effects of Moisture Build-up
Condensation can lead to mould and peeling paint on the sides of your windows if neglected in the long term. Ventilation and Heating are two effective solutions to prevent condensation (to force out the moisture-laden, warm air).
Excess or frequent droplet formation can cause water damage to siding, walls, window frames, and floors, causing the wood to distort and fabric or drywall to dissolve over time. It can also cause mould build-up and residue that can be detrimental to our health.
Tips to Reduce Moisture Build-up
Peering through cloudy windowpanes caused by moisture build-up is not a sight to enjoy. Window condensation usually occurs when the air temperature on the inside is different from the temperature of the air on the outside of the glass. While both external and internal window moisture build-up can be unsightly, untreated internal moisture is more likely to cause long-term issues.
What causes condensation?
When warm air comes into touch with cool glass on the inside of windows and doors, condensation forms. This is especially prevalent during the winter when the inside air is warmer and more humid while outdoor air is cold and dry. Even if you don't have a humidifier running, regular activities like bathing, cooking, and even breathing contribute to the humidity in your home.
When condensation forms on the inside of a window or on the inside of a room, it indicates that the humidity within your home is higher than outside. Cooking, showering, houseplants, and even washing can all affect the humidity level in your home.
Replacement of drafty windows and doors, as well as the installation of a new roof or siding, lowers air infiltration and creates a tighter seal in your home. Although a tighter seal saves money on energy bills, it also retains more humidity, which means condensation on colder surfaces in the home may occur more frequently as a result of these improvements. Mould and mildew thrive in wet settings and organic materials like wood; thus, indoor window condensation can lead to their growth.
How to Get Rid of Condensation
There are many ways to reduce humidity inside the house. Using a mobile dehumidifier or installing a whole-home dehumidifier are two options for reducing air moisture. Cover pots and pans when cooking to keep extra humidity at bay, and make sure the kitchen and restroom exhaust fans are turned on. Leaving the bathroom fan on during and after a shower will assist in the removal of humid air from your home. Finally, leaving inside doors open allows for optimum air circulation, preventing humidity from building up in one area.
Condensation occurs when the temperature on one side of the glass is drastically different from the temperature on the other side of the glass, much like a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. While condensation on your windows can be annoying, as it creates an unpleasant aesthetic and blurs the view outside, it is usually not a cause for concern unless it is causing mould build-up.