New DG windows and condensation INSIDE

Andrea15

paddy's_mum wrote: »

Yes, very. I recently lent mine to one of my daughters and in the expectation that I wasn't going to get it back any time soon, I bought a cheaper Vax replacement.

It wasn't anywhere near as good, as I found the rubber squeegee blade much more pliable than the Karcher one and it kept slipping off the UPVC window frame. I ended up mopping a percentage of the water by hand so nothing gained.

I returned it and got another Karcher.

PS for clarification - Vax as a brand name, vac as a process ie sucking it up!

We are a savvy family so if I tell you that I have one, Mum has one, two sisters have one, two daughters have one...:T

Could you perhaps borrow one from a friend and try it out in your own time before making the decision to invest in one?

Is this what you are referring to?
https://amzn.to/2RaE6O8

paddy's_mum

Yes.

Almost all the diy sheds do them, Argos etc...worth keeping an eye out for them to be on special offer, ie extra blades, screen spray etc.

Lorian

Most things have been mentioned already, but when I've looked at condensation issues for people usually the worst offenders are inadequate fan volume and ventilation in en-suites and failure to use extractor fan in kitchens while boiling things.

A humidistat is a must to see what's going on. Whilst cheaper ones are available I've used these and they tend to be fairly accurate, and keep max and min values:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Electrical-Testers/ThermoPro-Digital-Thermo-hygrometer-Temperature-Humidity/B079JXY1RC

Its hard this time of year but you want to be keeping the relative humidity below about 55% to reduce the condensation on cold windows.

After having a shower if the humidity in the shower/bath room is more than about 5% higher than before you have a shower then contemplate upgrading the fan/ventilation.

neilmcl

Andrea15 wrote: »

Is this what you are referring to?
https://amzn.to/2RaE6O8

They're a bit of a faff after a while. Bought one ages ago and now it's relegated to the shed somewhere, just use a microfibre cloth to wipe the window if it's that bad in the morning, usually though I just open the window a bit when I get up and it's all cleared within 20 mins or so.

Doozergirl

Is there more than one window there?

Did you have double glazing before? Was there an issue?

If there's more than one window, I think you have a thermal break there that's causing a cold spot.

It's late and it's still Xmas in my head but the lifestyle stuff is all red herrings. Any condensation is an inherent fault in the building fabric exacerbated by people being alive.

If you didn't have an issue before, you really shouldn't have one now.

Fire_Fox

Loanranger wrote: »

I sleep with my window open and under a 7 tog duvet. It is warm enough. I have had a 13.5 tog duvet but discarded it.
If forecast is for temp to fall much below zero then I have a fleece type cover to pop on top.
If you suffer with condensation you need to sleep with your window open. It really isn't difficult.
I wonder why people ask for advice then don't like the answer!

Very cold rooms are not safe or healthy for everyone to sleep in. Very cold air can increase the frequency or severity of respiratory problems for some.

[Deleted User]

Doozergirl wrote: »

Is there more than one window there?

Did you have double glazing before? Was there an issue?

If there's more than one window, I think you have a thermal break there that's causing a cold spot.

It's late and it's still Xmas in my head but the lifestyle stuff is all red herrings. Any condensation is an inherent fault in the building fabric exacerbated by people being alive.

If you didn't have an issue before, you really shouldn't have one now.

I learn a lot from your posts, Doozer, while you're here, may I ask your opinion on the dehumidifier units mentioned please ?
Sorry to interrupt your thread OP.

pollypenny

We have condensation problems in the bedroom if we're not careful. We keep the window open slightly and put those cheap desiccant pots on each end of the sill.

That does make it manageable. The windows are about 25 years old and I'm wondering whether it's worth replacing them. I gather argon gas should be more efficient.

Xplosivgas

I had the same condensation issues in my old house and a good dehumidifier solved the problem perfectly. Place it in the hallway or landing area and as long as doors get left open it'll regulate the moisture throughout the whole house. I probably wouldn't place it in your bedroom as the noise can be a bit irritating for light sleepers!

The one I have has an auto setting so it turns on when needed.

Doozergirl

It'll be more effective than sleeping with the windows open! Condensation is caused by high humidity and the air being unable to hold the amount of moisture in it. If you reduce humidity then it goes without saying that you will reduce condensation. It isn't a fix though, it is treating the symptoms.

In order to be free of condensation, houses need to be warm and ventilated. Being warm increases the amount of moisture that the air can hold and warming the cold surfaces makes them less likely to attract moisture. Gentle ventilation will keep the air changing.

Opening windows makes areas cold. Unless you're doing something that produces excessive moisture, it's useless. Cooking or bathing is excessive moisture. Breathing is not.

A dehumidifier might be a relatively inexpensive way of dealing with the issue, but the key long term is really
a) checking that there isn't damp getting into the room increasing humidity.
b) adequately insulating the room and being sure to eliminate any thermal bridges that cause cold spots in an otherwise good space.
c) Managing ventilation. In a normal house that's usually trickle vents in double glazing, vents in any blocked chimneys and good extraction in moisture producing rooms - humidity sensing fans would be best.