Keyhole and spyhole condensation

2013yearofthehouse

In the last 6 months, we've had uPVC double glazed windows and patio doors, and Composite front and side doors installed, all for the first time.

I knew to expect condensation on the glass, and this has started over the last few weeks, so been opening the windows every morning.

I have a query about the door locks though - the keyholes seem to fill with water overnight and water drips down the door handle faceplate a little - is this normal too? Forgive me if this is a silly question, but will this damage/rust the keyhole/lock inside where it won't dry out very quickly?

The front door seems to stay the driest, but I've realised you can actually see daylight through underneath the keylock (between it and the handle faceplate - they are not flush like the side door is), which I guess may be helping with ventilation, but sort of defeats the purpose of getting a new non-draughty door! Can/should this be rectified?

Also, in hindsight, probably shouldn't have got a spyhole, as this fills with water and drips down the door overnight too. You obviously can't see through it without drying it out, which involves me (as the only one with small enough fingers!) sticking my little finger, covered in tissue, down the metal tube - not exactly practical! Again, not had one of these before, and can't remember from the showroom, but don't spyholes usually have glass both ends of the tube that runs through the door? Ours just has a glass end on the exterior of the door and then the tube is open to the interior. It wasn't actually screwed in flush when the door arrived, so I tightened it myself, but now this has got me thinking that maybe it wasn't finished properly and it should actually have a glass cap/seal of some sort on the interior of the door?

Thanks

dig13inrubble

My spyhole has glass at both ends. I have never experienced any of the condensation problems you are having in either my eight year old present house or in my previous, modernised Edwardian house. Some experts will be along soon.

MoneyMate

the keyholes seem to fill with water overnight and water drips down the door handle faceplate a little
How very strange, call the company back to check out.

2013yearofthehouse

Thanks, I just wondered if it was a common occurrence, since it's actually happening on 2 different types/makes of door, installed by 2 different companies.

Jonesya

I don't follow your comments about expecting condensation, one of the benefits of double glazing is that it reduces the amount of condensation you get.

If you're getting lots of condensation on your double glazing then it begs the question of where is all the moisture coming from?

rcssmb

Jonesya wrote: »

one of the benefits of double glazing is that it reduces the amount of condensation you get.

When we had our new windows fitted we found we got a lot of external condensation - as the window is better at keeping the heat in the external glass pane is colder and water condenses - like it does on car windows. Pilkington and Saint Gobain both have info on their website about it.

On some of our windows around this time of year it lasts most of the day :mad: