How to get rid of condensation on plastic windows

The occurrence of condensation that accumulates on the surface of window glass is a fairly common occurrence in apartments and private houses. When it gets colder, moisture begins to collect on the windows in most residential buildings. As a result, the window sills become wet and there is increased dampness in the air. Such conditions can reduce the comfort of living in the apartment. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent glass fogging as soon as this phenomenon is detected. If condensation appears on the plastic windows on the side of the room, you should use a number of means to eliminate it.

Where does condensation come from?

There is always a certain amount of water vapor in the air. When it cools, it turns into water droplets. These droplets settle on the surfaces of the lowest temperature in the room. That's exactly what windows are. The settled steam is called condensate.

If there is a lot of water vapor in the air, the problem of condensation is quite serious. It is fogging that moistens the structures from which the house is made. The result of this process is the development of fungus. In winter, condensation transforms into a different state - frost appears on the window. To understand why condensation forms on plastic windows, you should become familiar with one more concept.

What to do if you have wide window sills

The classic location of heating radiators in houses and apartments is under the windows. This arrangement is well thought out, because the windows are the coldest part in the house. They often cause drafts and low temperatures in winter. Radiators located below provide a thermal curtain that rises up to the ceiling. This prevents cold from penetrating into the room. The direct action of hot air from heating pipes prevents windows from fogging up.

If you have wide window sills, they create a barrier to the heat generated by radiators. The windows become overcooled and drops of water appear on them.

You can make a ventilation hole in a wide window sill.
This is not a reason to refuse a wide window sill. You can easily make holes in plastic or wood, thanks to which the upward flow of heat will be restored. Buy suitable gratings from a hardware store. Choose the design, size and color you want. Keep in mind that the strength of the window sill should not be affected, so it is better if the holes in it are narrow. The appearance of some grille models allows them to be used as decoration. There are adjustable types on sale that make it possible to close the hole in the warm season.

Using a jigsaw or fine-toothed saw, cut holes in the window sill according to the size of the purchased grilles. The markings should correspond not to the top, but to the bottom of the grille, because the first one will cover the cutout like a lid. Drill the corners first, then use a hacksaw. Insert the grilles into the holes and, if necessary, secure them with self-tapping screws. If moisture still remains after the procedure, move on to eliminating other possible causes.

Dew point

The dew point is the temperature at which vapor becomes liquid. This point may be in the thermal insulation layer. It can't be adjusted. The lower the percentage of water vapor in the air, the lower the dew point will be.

Factors that influence dew point:

outside temperature;
humidity outside;
the density of the materials from which the walls are made;
humidity and temperature in the room.

Considering these factors, you need to learn how to properly deal with condensation on windows.

Glass processing means

Special chemistry can serve as a temporary measure. For example, products for treating car glass. Before using them, all dirt must be removed from the windows.

Other compositions for combating condensation:

detergents containing alcohol;
glycerin soap or its solution;
a mixture of glycerin, potassium oil and turpentine in a ratio of 20:40:4;
saline or chalk solution.

Previously, glass was wiped dry with newspapers. Printing ink repels water, so this method can also be used now. However, any chemical reduces fogging for a short time. If the dampness does not go away, then the fogging of the glass will gradually return.

Danger of condensation

Installing a double-glazed window allows you to increase the comfort of living indoors. However, fresh air does not leak into the room. That is why the apartment owner himself contributes to the deterioration of the microclimate of the room. Condensation that forms on plastic windows is evidence of an unfavorable atmosphere in the room. In conditions of high humidity, various bacteria and fungi develop on the walls.

As established in SNIP 2.04.05-91, the air in residential premises should have a temperature of 20 to 22 degrees. In this case, humidity should be maintained in the range of 30-45%. Such indicators can ensure comfortable living in a room. At the same time, the windows will not start to fog up. For this reason, condensation on windows is the main and first sign of a disturbed microclimate.

Reasons for condensation on windows

The fogging process may occur due to insufficient heating of the room. In this case, the steam condenses directly on the surface of the glass unit. There are many reasons why condensation appears:

The difference in temperature conditions outside the window and inside the heated room. In this case, the water vapor content in the room should be quite high. These are the main reasons.
Moisture release by various finishing materials. These are usually low quality products. Moisture may be released from the applied plaster or paint.
Incorrect installation of window slopes. This may cause the bag to leak. The temperature in the room in this case will be significantly lower than planned. Often this problem arises when slopes are installed by the owners of the apartment.
Read also: What and how to properly clean windows at home
Installation of large width window sills. As a result, warm air from the heating system does not reach the window. When it's cold outside, condensation begins to accumulate on the glass unit.
Installation of a double-glazed window that has only one chamber. In terms of thermal insulation characteristics, such products are not much inferior to windows with two chambers.

Such conditions for the formation of condensation on plastic windows must be taken into account before getting rid of the source of increased dampness.

Possible difficulties and errors

When removing condensation between glasses, beginners often encounter a number of difficult problems. To avoid mistakes, experts recommend paying special attention to some important nuances when purchasing a window, installing or repairing it:

Before purchasing a window, you should check in advance the tightness of the glass unit, a sufficient amount of silica gel or butyl sealant.
The window block should not have traces of delamination, mechanical damage and chips in the corners.
When installing windows, the technological map must be followed.
Sealants and sealing tapes must be of high quality.
When replacing a double-glazed window in an old PVC profile, you should select a new product of the same thickness to ensure a tight fit of the beads using sealing materials.
The formation of condensation inside a double-glazed window is almost never associated with the quality of installation of the framing frame. Installing additional fasteners or foaming the window perimeter, as a rule, does not solve the problem of glass fogging inside the unit.

When turning to professionals, the consumer can be sure that the work will be completed in the shortest possible time, with proper quality, and using high-quality sealing materials and tools.

Note. Based on the results of repair and restoration operations, the installation team issues a warranty card, which allows repeated use without the need for payment.

Condensation on wooden windows

In the case of wooden structures, condensation is often absent. This is due to the natural properties of the material. Wood is able to let air in from the street. Additionally, wooden structures are not as airtight as plastic bags. Due to this, an optimal level of humidity is maintained in the rooms.

Modern PVC bags are quite airtight, which eliminates air flow. Due to these parameters, there is no natural ventilation in the room. To maintain optimal moisture levels, rooms should be ventilated every day. Modern double-glazed windows provide the option of gentle ventilation. The flow of air between the room and the outside environment occurs through a special valve.

An invisible assistant - a ventilation valve

What to do if there is condensation on the windows, but there is no way to constantly ventilate the room? What is the best way to be with a nursery, where the microclimate should be ideal? Install a special ventilation valve in the window. Advantages over an open window:

ventilation occurs with the windows closed - protection against opening;
increasing the service life of window fittings - no need to constantly open and close the sashes;
ease of use and maintenance - it is enough to clean the device from dust once a year;
lack of draft - convenient in case a strong wind blows, for example, at night;
possibility of adjusting the air flow from the street.

There are three types of ventilation valves. Slot machines are further divided into automatic and mechanical. Easy to install without dismantling window units. The machine is interesting because it has a built-in hygroregulation sensor. It monitors changes in air humidity levels, opens itself wider or closes, until the window is completely sealed. It is convenient to use the mechanics in tandem with a household hygrometer. You yourself monitor the moisture level and adjust the position of the valve. For rebated valves, special cutouts are made in the window block. They allow less air to pass through than the slot type, maintain the level of sound insulation, and cost less. Overheads provide maximum air flow and require special installation.

To ensure that the cause of condensation is eliminated, when choosing a ventilation valve, adhere to the following criteria:

the device must provide about 30 cubic meters of fresh air per hour per resident, otherwise its effect will be ineffective;
maximum level of transmitted noise from the street – 35 dB;
the design must be adapted for the winter period;
The ability to regulate air flow is important, because the temperature outside the window changes.

You can also choose between valves that are mounted in a window or in a wall. It all depends on your budget and your preferences.

Prevention

Before starting work to get rid of condensation, you should think about preventing the problem. There are several precautions you should take:

maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room;
creating a natural ventilation system in the room;
external insulation of the building;
reducing the air humidity level in the room to 50%;
eliminating sources of moisture penetration into the room - leaky roof, dampness in the basement;
creation of an effective heating system for double-glazed windows.
Removing plants from the windowsill.

Such precautions will help prevent excessive condensation on the window structure.

What to do when slopes are made incorrectly

Do windows on the side of the slopes fog up? The reason lies in their insufficient insulation. Cold turns steam into water. Plastic slopes can be easily upgraded. To do this, remove the PVC panels from the slopes. They are easy to pull out if you pick them up and pull them out of the profiles. Carefully foam the space between the opening and the window frame so that the inside of the slope is filled with foam. Cut off the remaining material along the slope of the slope. Before the procedure, clean the surface from dust and moisten. Fill large hollow spaces with mineral wool - it will serve as insulation. Place the plastic slope panel in place.

If the windows fog up on the side of the plastic slopes, you should remove the panels and foam the space between the opening and the window frame

In the case of plasterboard slopes, the structure cannot be reused. To solve the problem, you will have to dismantle the old structure, carry out insulation according to the instructions and install a new one. If the windows are single-chamber, you will not be able to get rid of fogging. The reason is in the double-glazed windows themselves. In most cases, they are not able to provide sufficient thermal insulation due to an insufficient number of air layers. The problem is solved by forced heating of windows or by replacing them with new high-quality PVC windows from several chambers.

Removing condensation

There are several proven ways to get rid of condensation on plastic windows. You just need to follow simple steps:

Ventilation. To get rid of water droplets on the glass, you need to regularly ventilate the room. This measure is especially important when the automatic system is not able to provide optimal air exchange in the room. Most manufacturers of double-glazed windows equip their products with valve ventilation. This allows for automatic ventilation.
You can effectively combat window fogging by installing the winter ventilation option. It is available in almost every modern window. The part of the window that opens moves away from the frame by several millimeters. Thanks to this, the room is ventilated, and the cold does not enter it.
You can eliminate the problem of condensation on glass by using a burning candle on the windowsill. When the temperature outside is below freezing, the windows begin to become covered with ice. If you place burning candles on the windowsill, heat will emanate from them, which will prevent water vapor from turning into liquid. It is better to choose thick candles that burn for 10 hours. However, when using this technique, you must follow safety rules - do not place candles near flammable objects.
To get rid of condensation, you can install a fan. So the air near the window will be in constant movement. The device is installed on the windowsill. It must be turned on at minimum power. It is better to have a fan blow on several windows at once.
Installation of convection screens. These devices are plates that direct warm air to the window from the heating equipment. Shields are made of a certain width. It is better to install them at an angle of 30-60 degrees. Screens can be successfully integrated into the overall interior.
Compositions from a car chemical kit. To eliminate the phenomenon of condensation on windows, you can use various means - anti-foggers and sprays. Such products are intended for glass in cars. When using these materials, the composition is first applied to the window, then it is wiped and dried. When choosing this method, the problem of condensation becomes less, but in this case it cannot be completely eliminated.
Application of electrical energy. Among the original ways to get rid of condensation on plastic windows, you can choose to install a special film or foil around the perimeter of the window. They are supplied with voltage from 12 to 24 V. With this heating, the double-glazed window will be protected from fogging.
The use of ventilation valves allows you to create optimal air exchange in the room. With the help of such devices you can effectively get rid of the condensation problem. As a result, the room will not become stuffy and mold will develop. This device is installed on top of the window opening. Thanks to this arrangement of the valve, there are no drafts in the room.

These methods of dealing with condensation provide a reliable solution to the problem of window fogging.

There are other, more expensive methods. For example, insulating a house from the outside. If the described methods of counteracting condensation are ineffective, you should replace the plastic bag with an energy-saving one.

Condensation can also be caused by poor installation of plastic windows. In this case, it may be necessary to dismantle the package. In some cases, you can get rid of condensation by seasonally adjusting the window. If the seal of the product is broken, the rubber seals will need to be replaced.

To avoid problems with condensation on plastic windows, you should entrust the installation of double-glazed windows to professional installers. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the work done. It is especially important to pay attention to insulation.

The importance of defogging

If you do not resolve the issue in a timely manner, it will be much more difficult to fix the neglected problem. Over time, it is even difficult to determine the main cause of condensation, so you have to check all possible factors.

Consequences of moisture formation

With prolonged accumulation of moisture, fungus and mold begin to form on the slopes of plastic windows.
This negatively affects the health of residents and signals an unfavorable microclimate in the room. Contact with mold is dangerous for people with allergies .

Condensation also spoils the appearance of the window, depriving it of its decorative effect. Through the drops it is difficult to see what is happening on the street. Curtains and curtains become damp and dirty due to settled dust.

Collecting moisture penetrates into microcracks on frames and window sills, which leads to a decrease in the service life of the window.

Condensation from the outside of the glass unit

There are several reasons for this phenomenon:

Incorrect installation of windows. They are either installed too close to the outer plane of the wall or are flush with the insulation layer.
Room humidity is too high.
There is no ventilation in the house.
The sashes do not fit tightly to the frame.

It is usually not possible to immediately recognize the causes of condensation.

conclusions

To prevent windows from fogging up, certain measures should be taken. The main condition is that the double-glazed windows must be installed correctly. They should not have any leaks. Other precautions:

regular ventilation of rooms where condensation occurs;
creating high-quality ventilation in the house;
correct choice of profile and glass unit.

By complying with these conditions, you can reduce the risk of condensation on the windows. If it does appear, you should use some ways to eliminate it.

For example, you can put a fan or a candle on the windowsill. In both cases, warm air will warm the glass, which will prevent condensation from settling. Often the cause of window fogging is a large window sill. It can be cut so that heat flows upward from the battery unhindered.

When performing window repairs or installations, you should contact experienced professionals. This will eliminate the risk of double-glazed windows fogging.

Comments

Hello, I have a problem with the euro window, condensation is sweating, I think I need to move the window 5 cm inward
Oleg21.04.2021 at 04:45
Answer

Air dehumidification

This is the second method of combating fogging. Suitable for drying:

heaters;
special dehumidifiers;
improvised means.

If the humidity is not too high, but sufficient to make the glass “cry,” you can spread salt on the windowsill. Any kind will do - sea, food, coarse or finely ground. After some time, it can be calcined in the oven and reused. Wood or activated carbon and silica gel also absorb moisture. If condensation appears at the bottom of a plastic window due to lack of convection, it can be eliminated with ordinary candles. One or two candles can dry the glass, creating heat flows. The main thing is to monitor safety so that there are no flammable objects nearby. I advise you to light thick candles that burn for at least ten hours.

The easiest way to dry out is regular ventilation. Usually it is enough to open the doors three to four times a day for five to ten minutes.