Condensation on windows

deepam

Hi,

I have flat which is getting condensation on all its windows. The windows are 25 years old. These are double glazed windows. The condensation always has puddle of water on the window sill everyday. I have a tenant in the flat currently.

I called a windows professional to have a look at the windows since I thought its lot of water everyday and I was having complaints from my tenant. The windows professional suggested that it's not the windows and in fact its the condensation which is caused by the lifestyle of the tenant. According to him the windows cannot let rainwater in and according to him the gaskets/ panes etc were fine.

Just wondering if double glazed windows can ever leak (be aware its all windows in the flat)? 
Can there be draught from double glazed windows since my tenant complains that there is cold air coming from the windows?

user1977

Yes, double glazed windows can leak. Yes, double glazed windows can have a draught.

But if you've had a "windows professional" look at them and tell you it's condensation, why don't you believe them?

Is this the same problem as your other thread?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6572685/walls-wet-around-one-of-the-upvc-windows#latest

tooldle

Yes, double glazing can leak and cold drafts are possible. Properly installed windows are unlikely to do either. Condensation is caused by moist air hitting a cold surface. If the air in the property is dry, you will not experience condensation. Encourage the tenants to air the property, or supply them with a decent dehumidifier. There are people who simply do not understand the volume of water vapour generated by day to day living. 

deepam

Yes that is why I called a glazing company so see what the problem was. I feel sorry for my tenant. But the glazing person was very clear and confident about the cause of condensation. 

There are other residents in the building who manage condensation in the building by dehumidifiers etc. So I feel there is clearly a problem in the building maybe. The building is 25 years old. I lived there myself for 10 years when it was new. I never had this problem. But the fact that other people are managing condensation, it clearly seems there is a problem.

I am just trying to access what repairs are coming my way after this tenant leaves. What can be the possible cause of this that now it's an old building

deepam

user1977 when you say double glazed windows can leak. How do you stop that? Is it the gaskets? Also how can they have draught?

deepam

user1977 Yes this is the same problem. Initially I thought its a leak somewhere

tacpot12

If it's ALL the windows, then it does suggest the problem is not entirely down to the windows. A problem with the windows themselves would tend to show some variations, some windows would be worse than others. 

If the building is hard to heat (and the EPC will give lots of clues about this), then as landlord you should be taking some responsibility for the solution. If the tenant's actions, such as not operating extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom, then they should also be taking some responsibility.  

KiKi

If there is condensation all over the windows, especially in the morning, this may be partly lifestyle (lots of humidity in the flat caused by washing, showers, baths, cooking) and partly due to the very cold mornings. In winter, I have to hoover water off my upstairs windows, using a window vac. If I didn't, it would pool on the sills. If I leave the windows open a touch overnight, I have almost no condensation there in the morning at all. I don't want to leave the windows open, so I choose to hoover it off. 

There is no reason whatsoever for this to cause damage or need repairs. The tenant needs to use a dehumidifier or leave the windows open on the latch (or similar), and make sure they properly vent the house - and / or vacuum the water off the windows in the morning. This is just a normal part of dealing with humidity in a property.

Is there an *actual* draught from the windows? Actual air coming in from a gap? Or is it just colder by the windows, causing what feels like a draught if the curtains aren't closed?

deepam

KiKi I am unable to access the draught as I am not there myself. The tenant is unable to pin point exactly and glazing person has checked the windows. I have recently asked the glazing person to change the gaskets on all windows just to mitigate one thing. He only blamed the lifestyle and yes I do not have external extractor in my kitchen which I will do after my current tenants leave. 

Myci85

Sounds like it is due to how the tenant is living in the flat. Are they heating the flat enough? Dry heat from the radiators will help. All sorts of things can cause moisture in the air, cooking, showering/bathing, drying clothes indoors on airers, running a tumble dryer, breathing.... lots of people seem to keep the windows shut all winter meaning the moisture has nowhere to go, especially if no extractor fans. Make sure they are heating and airing the property, windows ajar in bedrooms overnight, and in kitchen and bathroom when using them etc. 

bobster2

deepam said:

KiKi I am unable to access the draught as I am not there myself. The tenant is unable to pin point exactly and glazing person has checked the windows. I have recently asked the glazing person to change the gaskets on all windows just to mitigate one thing. He only blamed the lifestyle and yes I do not have external extractor in my kitchen which I will do after my current tenants leave. 

You've already had a "windows professional" tell you it's condensation - so why change the gaskets?

Your money would be better spent fitting extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen to remove moisture from the air.