Why are my windows always pouring with condensation in winter?

zaksmum

Double glazed windows throughout, but as soon as the cold weather arrives they are soaking wet on the inside, running with condensation.

We have the heating on when it's cold enough but I can't understand why my windows are the only ones in a street of similar houses with soaking wet windows.

The house was built in 1978 and has full central heating.

peachyprice

Probs not enough ventilation, do you open the small top windows regularly?

CurlyTop

Hi

I have problems with this too. I thought double glazing would have reduced the problem if not eliminated it but no such luck, if anything I think its worse.

Speaking to one of my neighbours who has still got his wooden frames and says he doesn't get that much condensation because he thinks the wooden frames absorb the water !!

Either way, I try to get hubby to open the window first thing in the morning because I leave for work 2 hours before he does however, came home last night to find water just starting to roll off window ledge. :eek:

I keep a roll of kitchen roll in my bedroom which is the main place for it to happen. I think our problem is that we only have the fire on for about 4 hours from when we get home, the bedroom fire is on for about 1 hour and the rest of the time we are sleeping or both out at work. Don't have central heating because house built in mid 80s and is really warm so central heating seemed a wasted expense.

Roll on summer when I don't have this problem

midnight_express

A dehumidifier would help.

Linda32

We have the same problem as well. I can vouch for a dehumidifier as well. They do work well.

You could try a cheaper windowsill one first. Its a plastic box with crystals in which absorb the water. I understand they are generally used for caravan, but worth a try.

Wilkinsons etc sell them HTH

Lilyplonk

Have you got the 'trickle vents' (at the top of the windows) open - this would provide a small movement of 'fresh air' around the inside of your window panes and prevent condensation build-up.

Have you got your heating turned up very high?

What about clothes drying - do you have wet things hanging on
radiators? Or do you perhaps have lots of stuff on an airer?

Is your tumble dryer ventilated to the outside of the wall - or does it have a condenser?

What about cooking - do you turn pans down to simmer and keep a lid on them?

marmiterulesok

I think that you might need to air the rooms more;even 30 minutes twice a day can be enough.Check out the humidity levels in all your rooms.Over 60% is too high,anything between 40-50% is better.You can buy small devices in DIY stores to check the humidity levels.

If they're too high,getting a dehumidifier could help.

peachyprice

CurlyTop wrote: »

Speaking to one of my neighbours who has still got his wooden frames and says he doesn't get that much condensation because he thinks the wooden frames absorb the water !!

His wooden frames will let hair in because they don't seal tight like double glazing so there's always a small but necessary supply of fresh air getting in. It's just not healthy the way DG hermetically seals a house.

I hate DG with a vengeance, if/when we have to have windows replaces I'm going to seriously consider getting wooden frames again.

I've got a wooden front door and a wooden porch, it's unbelievable the number of salesmen who knock trying to get me to have it DG'. It may be a bit draughty bu at least it les ait into the house.

The only room we ever get condensationnin is my son's bu they go in there together, shut the door and forget to open the window, it's like a hot house of germs.

zaksmum

Thanks all.

I don't have windows open much in winter as O/H moans about the cold and do put lids on pans etc. But plenty of coming and going so the front door's always being opened, likewise the back door to let the dogs out for a wee.

I'll look into getting a dehumidifier...are they expensive?

lostinrates

peachyprice wrote: »

His wooden frames will let hair in because they don't seal tight like double glazing so there's always a small but necessary supply of fresh air getting in. It's just not healthy the way DG hermetically seals a house.

I hate DG with a vengeance, if/when we have to have windows replaces I'm going to seriously consider getting wooden frames again.

I've got a wooden front door and a wooden porch, it's unbelievable the number of salesmen who knock trying to get me to have it DG'. It may be a bit draughty bu at least it les ait into the house.

The only room we ever get condensationnin is my son's bu they go in there together, shut the door and forget to open the window, it's like a hot house of germs.

What about wooden double glazing?

We have recently had some new windows and doors made for our listed house, It's a requirment they be double glazed (with appropriate historical glazing where historically important) and also that they were wood. (I would have had wood song
E glazing if it were a choice).

I don't yet know how great they are as that part of the house is not finished totally and there are no catches on the windows, so plenty of ventilation through the temporary closures (most cases just a bit 'o' cardboard!). But they look much better than I had dared hope....if they work well too I will be over the moon.

kayl

I have always had this problem, and got used to wringing out umpteen clothes to mop it up. I didn't find that a dehumidifier competely cured the problem, though it did help a bit.

In the last 2 weeks, I treated myself with my clubcard double up points to a Karcher window vacuum, and it is absolutely fabulous - it sucks up the water in no time, and saves any worries about mould as well as leaving my windows gleaming. best purchase ever!