Dripping Windows - water marks on walls

pokerpad

Hello, any help would be massively appreciated.

We rent a top floor flat and the water gathered on the inside of the windows is getting to be a problem.

There are two slanted windows with wood surrounds which water gathers on and then drips down the paintwork, leaving it moist and marked and even cracks the paintwork. There are also small bits of mould in the corners.

What are the best ways to clean up the marks and also prevent it from happening?

On a seperate note - would this be considered something we could lose the deposit on??

I do try and wipe the windows with a towel every once in a while but I'm not sure what else to do and it is a real worry re the deposit.

Thanks

charlie792

I have the exact same problem im my flat, unfortunately the walls are ruined as a result now - simply wiping once or twice a day is not enough. Only thing Ive found is either stick a hair dryer on the walls and dry them out (although it made my room smell awful) or its a case of opening the windows to stop the condensation building up (fantastic when its minus temps outside) - my estate agent is of the opinion its my fault (poor ventilation they say) so chances are I will lose my deposit over it.

pokerpad

Thanks for the reply Charlie. I hope you do get to keep your deposit - or at least part.

I will give the hairdryer tip a go tonight.

It is rediculous to be seen as our fault though - especially in this weather. I can see an argument coming if they try and claim it is our fault

C.C.L.

Hi Pokerpad, you can buy a moisture collector (forgotten the name of it) to put on the windowsills. Basically they are a plastic trough, with 2 sections, the top section holds granules (provided) and the bottom section holds the water. The granules draw moisture into the trough, and when it gets full you empty it.The granules last for around 3 months and you can get refills. You can get them from DIY stores, but I got mine from Morrisons (about £3 each) but since then I've seen them cheaper in hardware shops.HTH.

trinity_enigma

I can remember a flat I used to live in- it was in a listed building and the owner obviously couldn't be bothered with the expense of getting specially made double glazed window for it. Instead he had fixed perspex or something on the inside of the window which meant you couldn't open it (we actually had ivy grow through the window frame into the area between the window and the plastic.

The windows without this fixed to it had been painted shut I would (conservatively) estimate 10 years ago. I think in the whole flat there was one window that could open. Now couple this with ancient central heating, it was a nightmare for condensation especially in the bedrooms.

There was nothing you could do to prevent mould- it grew up the curtains and ate away at the carpet so I completely symapthise with you. I remember reading the contract and it saying it was our responsibility and wondering what on earth we were supposed to be doing about it! In the end though the letting agents were fine about it and completely understood the problem.

Yorkie1

You could also look at getting a dehumidifier, which should hopefully remove some of the moisture generally.

dizziblonde

C.C.L. wrote: »

Hi Pokerpad, you can buy a moisture collector (forgotten the name of it) to put on the windowsills. Basically they are a plastic trough, with 2 sections, the top section holds granules (provided) and the bottom section holds the water. The granules draw moisture into the trough, and when it gets full you empty it.The granules last for around 3 months and you can get refills. You can get them from DIY stores, but I got mine from Morrisons (about £3 each) but since then I've seen them cheaper in hardware shops.HTH.

Lakeland sell them - called Moisture Traps. I've got them on our condensation hot spots but so far I haven't seen much difference (mind you I only got them on on Saturday).

C.C.L.

dizziblonde wrote: »

Lakeland sell them - called Moisture Traps. I've got them on our condensation hot spots but so far I haven't seen much difference (mind you I only got them on on Saturday).

Sorry to hear that.The ones I got have worked fine, and saved a lot of messing about.The window I needed them for is an arched one at the top of the stairs, and because of the shape it can't have an opening.We are replacing the window when the weather gets better, but until then I'll carry on with the moisture troughs.They fill up quite quickly, and have stopped the water running off the window sill and down the wall.

charlie792

C.C.L. wrote: »

Sorry to hear that.The ones I got have worked fine, and saved a lot of messing about.The window I needed them for is an arched one at the top of the stairs, and because of the shape it can't have an opening.We are replacing the window when the weather gets better, but until then I'll carry on with the moisture troughs.They fill up quite quickly, and have stopped the water running off the window sill and down the wall.

I had a couple of cheapy ones, stuck one on the window and one each corner of the wall, hasnt seemed to do anything, no water in the bottoms and certainly no better on the windows - had to order them off the internet as I couldnt find them anywhere in the shops locally!