Damp around bathroom window

CatLady87

Morning all,
I always keep the bathroom window cracked for ventilation and the door shut. However, this morning the window is really condensed (on the inside) and the wall is damp around the frame. I had it re-sealed when I had the blinds put up but now it’s wet. I can’t see the double glazing unit has failed as there’s nothing between the panes but I’m wondering if the window is just shot. It is quite an old window.

Many thanks in advance

CatLady87

The bare plaster is where it was scraped away by the guy who reseated the window and I needed to repaint it where it was 

FreeBear

CatLady87 said: I always keep the bathroom window cracked for ventilation and the door shut. However, this morning the window is really condensed (on the inside) and the wall is damp around the frame. I had it re-sealed when I had the blinds put up but now it’s wet. I can’t see the double glazing unit has failed as there’s nothing between the panes but I’m wondering if the window is just shot. It is quite an old window.

You will always get a certain amount of condensation around a window. It is a cold spot due to the heat loss through the glass and also because there is a smaller amount of wall between the inside and cold outside. A curtain or blind will help to reduce the heat loss through the window, but won't do much to combat condensation.

I get a little bit of condensation around the bathroom & kitchen windows too, but I don't have the windows open (no trickle vents either), and the doors are always left open. Perhaps you could try doing the same for a week or two and see if that helps.

couriervanman

As long as no condensation between the double glazing the window is fine.....as already mentioned its down to ventilation its getting colder outside and people turn the the heating up  

CatLady87

Thanks folks! (And Freebear, feel like I owe you a drink for all the advice you give me!)

Do you get wet walls around the window? It wasn’t so much the condensation on the glass itself that concerned me as I know that always happens - more the fact the wall around the frame is wet and hasn’t been before.

Many thanks 

FreeBear

CatLady87 said: Do you get wet walls around the window?

When it gets very cold outside, I get a bit of water beading up close to the window. It is normally only an inch or so near the bottom of the frame within the reveal. A quick wipe with a sponge usually sorts it out.

In the kitchen, the reveals have a coating of lime plaster which can tolerate being damp (unlike gypsum plasters). In the bathroom, I have timber reveals which don't seem to suffer so much from condensation despite it being the worst room for humidity.

CatLady87

I see, thank you.

I did leave a bath full of water inadvertently (forgot to drain it) overnight, so wondering if that’s contributed to the wet walls!

Ted_Head

It's interstitial condensation:http://www.thegreenselfbuilder.co.uk/condensation/
When warm air hits a cold surface it forms condensation. Try venting the room after a bath/shower.

RelievedSheff

I'm surprised that some of you are saying that this is normal!

None of our last three houses (can't say I took much notice prior to that) have suffered condensation on windows to the extent that is has wet the adjacent walls. In fact none of them has suffered with condensation on the inside of windows at all, not even our current new build while it was drying out.

I certainly wouldn't say it is normal, nor will it create a healthy environment to be in if it is causing the house to become so wet.

CatLady87

@RelievedSheff - really helpful, thanks!