Any tips to stop condensation on windows?

phead

qtlc wrote: »

"The vents shouldn't be sealed up. They should be sleeved through the cavity insulation."

You sure?

Thats what happened to ours last week when we got loft insulation and cavity wall installed. They left the ones that vent under the floorboards ok but said they had to seal off the ones in the walls.

Yep, total cowboys. They should have removed it, fitted a sleeve and fixed back in. They do often charge a few quid more for each vent, but its part of the job and should have been done.

laserboy31

You can try coating inside of windows with SHAVING FOAM. Apply it evenly using a cloth, don't use too much just enough to give a thin coating, rub in until windows become clear (will leave a slightly smeary film). I use it on bathroom mirrors and car windows all of which remain condensation free for about 4 - 6 weeks. Try it on a bathroom mirror to see effect. DO NOT USE SHAVING GEL.

kimothy64

I live in a 2 bed flat with double glazing yet no heating apart from a gas fire and 2 electric heaters but these are not being used at the moment! Each morning our bedroom, spare room, hallway, and living room windows are all condensated! We have tried the moisture absorbers from Woolworths, but it irritated my partners eyes so we can no longer use them in the bedroom, we only use it in the spare room as this is where we dry our washing! Last year we used a teatowel, thsi year we have a window blade thing, a sponge, and kitchen roll! But it is a very annoying thing to do first thing in the morning! A dehumidifier is a bit too expensive are there any other suggestions that anyone can give us?

(We have tried washign up liquid which worked but left the windows too smeary to see out of!)

Thank you in advance!!!!

bobbob455

Buy the cheapest desk fan you can find, put it at one end of your windowsil, pointing the length of the window, turn it on, and hey presto, no condensation

:beer:

amanda29kb

Hi
We have just recently fitted 400mm of insulation in our loft and we apprently already had cavity wall insulation. Howver, since the loft was insulated we have really bad condensation in the main bedroom and the bathroom. The frames and sills are wet through ever evening, even one of the walls in the bathroom is wet. I always open the landing window, bathroom window and bedroom window every morning and they stay open all day (at least 6 hours anyway), we have been closing them after 2 hours over the past week though as I have a new born baby and my husband is a tad paranoid about drafts!!
Does anyone have any ideas? I tried the old salt trick but it didn't really do anything.
Thanks

Buttwhy?

amanda29kb wrote: »

Hi
We have just recently fitted 400mm of insulation in our loft and we apprently already had cavity wall insulation. Howver, since the loft was insulated we have really bad condensation in the main bedroom and the bathroom. The frames and sills are wet through ever evening, even one of the walls in the bathroom is wet. I always open the landing window, bathroom window and bedroom window every morning and they stay open all day (at least 6 hours anyway), we have been closing them after 2 hours over the past week though as I have a new born baby and my husband is a tad paranoid about drafts!!
Does anyone have any ideas? I tried the old salt trick but it didn't really do anything.
Thanks

The loft insulation sounds like it has been fitted right up to the eaves of the house and has probably blocked the ventilation in the loft. This was very common when loft insulation first became a DIY thing many moons ago. The house has to be able to breath so just pull the insulation back by 12 inches from around the edge of the loft space.

david1978

We suffer this problem daily. I've been looking at a dehumidifier, but the running costs are a little prohibitive - i've read 2-3pence per hour.

Has anyone seen ones with cheaper running costs?

jennifernil

To reduce condensation you need to create less water vapour in the house, and effectively remove any that you do create.

You need to fit and user extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure bathroom ones run on for about 20 minutes after a bath or shower.
When cooking, use lids on pots.
Do not dry washing indoors except by using a tumble drier.

If you still have a problem get a dehumidifier, it can be run on a timer if you are worried about running costs. If you need to dry/air clothes on radiators or airers you will need a dehumidifier.

Cold windows increase condensation. Older DG frames may not be well insulated and form a " cold bridge" increasing condensation on the frames.
Newer units have better insulated frames and have a wider gap between the glass, they often also use special insulating glass to cut down on heat loss.

Keep doors to rooms other than bathrooms open to allow air to circulate.
Open window vents during the day if necessary.
Check loft insulation is not obstructing air circulation up there.
Install extra vents such as soffit vents if there is a problem in the loft.

Mike1961

I realise that this a much more expensive solution that trickle ventilators, but has has anyone any experience in installing sill level or floor level heaters under the windows to create local heating across the glazed surface?

jaylo264

we suffer from terrible condensation on the north facing dormer widows of our 1825 house , despite having a heat recovery system , so i have placed a 60 watt greenhouse tube heater on the sill of one , MUCH better !