Let's consider what freezing is and when it is the norm, in what places this defect can appear, the reasons for the formation of freezing, and also how to eliminate them.
Is the appearance of condensation and ice normal or not?
The formation of condensation indoors is normal, since in order for it to evaporate, a heating element is installed under the window. If condensation does not disappear, but accumulates, then this is a problem that needs to be addressed.
Important! If drops of water appear inside the glass unit, you should contact the manufacturer to replace the window structure, as this is considered a defect.
In what places does it occur?
Freezing on windows most often occurs in the lower part of the glass unit, as condensation settles to the bottom. In some cases, frost formation begins inside the glass unit, but this is considered a design defect.
Freezing may also appear on the profile if it is not warm enough. If the slopes on the windows are not insulated, then frost may also appear next to them.
Let's sum it up
Freezing of a plastic window is a very common problem. But the main thing is that it can be solved. However, you should remember that it is better not to postpone troubleshooting until later. It is known that when water freezes, it expands. Thus, freezing can gradually destroy the entire metal-plastic structure, and instead of repair, replacement will be required.
Determine the cause and begin troubleshooting. If a plastic window freezes, you don’t know what to do, turn to the experts for help.
Why does it freeze from the inside?
The reasons for freezing of balconies and loggias are in many ways the same, but some points may differ, since a balcony is an external structure, and a loggia is internal (closed by walls on the sides). The most common causes of freezing are:
Poor sealing of windows, which allows cold air to enter the room. Most often this is a problem for balconies.- Increased indoor air humidity can cause condensation to form, and if the heating element and ventilation fail to evaporate it, frost may appear.
- Excessive tightness (poor ventilation) can cause frozen water to appear on the window, even in an insulated balcony or loggia.
- Frequent ventilation, due to which flows of cold and warm air meet near the window. This can cause condensation to form and subsequently freeze.
- Incorrect installation of the window and adjustment of the sashes, which may result in the formation of cold bridges or blowouts.
- The frame being too deep relative to the interior, as well as the wide window sill, prevent the heating system from heating the window from the inside, which will cause condensation to appear.
- Wear of the seal on the sashes and double-glazed windows or poor-quality fittings.
- The large width of the windows leads to a rapid outflow of heat from the room, which can also cause freezing.
- Insufficient heating indoors (most often for a loggia) will lead to the fact that the profile and glass unit will not heat up enough, which will cause frost to appear.
- The small number of chambers in the frame of a plastic window, as well as a thin double-glazed window in severe frosts, are not able to sufficiently maintain the temperature, so they will begin to freeze.
- Lack of ventilation on the balcony is also the cause of frost.
- Indoor plants that stand on the windowsill disrupt the movement of warm air flows, and the soil in pots gives additional evaporation, which can also cause the formation of ice.
- High indoor humidity.
- Economic activities (cooking, washing, cleaning) that increase air humidity.
- Incorrect installation of the canopy or sill, which caused snow to accumulate near the window.
Preventive actions
If the cause of freezing has been identified and successfully eliminated, it should not be allowed to recur. Prevention is not difficult, but it is mandatory. The simplest measures to prevent glass from freezing:
- lack of indoor plants on the windowsill;
- systematic treatment of glass and frames with means that prevent condensation accumulation on surfaces;
- if the air temperature outside allows it, you need to keep the window in ventilation mode for as long as possible; if not, open it for at least a few minutes;
- Regularly inspect the fittings for wear, promptly change parts that are not working properly and those that are suspicious;
- do not forget to promptly change the summer operating mode to winter and vice versa.
These measures relate not only to methods of elimination, but also serve as good prevention against freezing of balcony glass. The general rules when moving behind a double-glazed window also cannot be neglected:
- Checking the seals should be timely, at least twice a year. The tightness of the window in the closed position depends on their quality and performance.
- Choose the right care products. For example, the use of solvents and strong organics will destroy the most reliable and high-quality seal to such an extent that not only the tightness, but also the quality of the heat-saving glass unit as a whole may be in question.
- Standard double-glazed balcony windows can also freeze because there are no neighbors living nearby (above or below). In this case, in addition to purchasing high-quality double-glazed windows, additional insulation of the balcony is required.
By spending very little time and money, you can once and for all solve the problem of ice formation on glass and frames. In addition, a glazed and insulated balcony is additional space that can be used to maximum benefit. Even as an auxiliary for preserving vegetables in winter, twists and so on.
Solutions to the problem
Each cause of freezing requires its own individual approach, so you should first find out exactly what caused the problem. The most common methods include:
Reinstalling the window sill, trimming it or installing ventilation holes in it so that warm air from the radiator hits the glass.
If the frame is deeply recessed, it will need to be reinstalled.- Check the seal for tightness and integrity. To do this, you need to inspect the rubber bands for damage, dented or cracked places, as well as for elasticity. If at least one of the defects is identified, the rubber bands need to be replaced.
- Inspect windows for improper installation. There may be gaps in the installation seam or at the joints with the slope and window sill through which cold air passes or moisture flows in. They need to be sealed using sealant or foam. If the window is installed too poorly (crooked, with a broken installation seam), then it will have to be reinstalled.
- Replacing a double-glazed window with a warmer one if it was single-chamber or not energy efficient enough.
- If there are no visible defects on the windows, the room is warm, but there is still frost, then you should check the quality of ventilation. To improve it, you can install special valves in the frame or wall, which will provide additional ventilation.
- Installing an additional heating source can correct the problem of freezing on a balcony or loggia. To do this, you should install an additional radiator or heated floor, and in some cases a stationary heater is sufficient.
- In some cases, it is necessary to insulate the floor, ceiling and side parts of the balcony, as well as the adjacent wall, with non-hygroscopic materials (not absorbing moisture). This will help reduce heat loss.
- Reducing the air humidity in the room using a moisture absorber (“dehumidifier”), which will reduce the amount of condensation, which will prevent freezing.
- Checking ventilation hoods for functionality. This can be done with a match or lighter. If the flame draws on, then there is air flow. Otherwise, the ventilation needs to be cleaned or reinstalled.
- Reinstalling the ebb or visor if snow accumulates on them can help get rid of freezing.
- Installing a support profile under the frame or gluing a thermal insulation film to a double-glazed window reduces heat loss, which may result in a reduction in the amount of condensation.
Poor-quality double-glazed windows or unscrupulous installation
When purchasing double-glazed windows, you need to be very careful, but for many people the determining factor is the price, as a result of which they then encounter the following unforeseen problems: - the presence of obvious defects; - poor-quality installation (this is one of the key points; this matter should be entrusted only to professionals with extensive experience).
If there are defects, you need to contact the company where you purchased the double-glazed windows, they should be replaced.
If you choose single plastic insulating units, they will definitely freeze, so only two- and three-chamber ones are suitable for the balcony. The material from which your double-glazed windows are made is no less important: aluminum ones almost always freeze in winter.
What to do. Firstly, do not buy single-chamber double-glazed windows, and if you have already made such a mistake, change them. Secondly, before the start of winter, check how tightly all the joints are sealed; if the holes are poorly filled with foam, frosty air will easily penetrate inside. If necessary, contact the installers. It is also advisable to check the rubber seals, which wear out over time; they can be replaced, otherwise the appearance of ice is inevitable.
It is better to prevent all problems that arose in connection with the installation and purchase; in most cases it is impossible to fix them, only to change the double-glazed windows. This is a classic situation - the miser pays twice.
Care Tips
To prevent freezing, you should:
Remove flowers from the windowsill or balcony.- Carefully monitor air humidity and window tightness. In winter, you can tighten the fittings so that the sashes are pressed tighter.
- Insulate the balcony (loggia) and the walls around it to reduce heat loss.
- Provide small ventilation in the room so that moist air does not accumulate on the balcony or loggia.
- In order to avoid the formation of condensation, it is necessary to maintain the temperature on the balcony at least 20 °C.
- Treat windows with special products containing alcohol or glycerin. This reduces the formation of condensation, since this substance quickly evaporates along with the water.
- Check adjustment or wear of fittings.
- Lubricate the seal with silicone oil so that it does not lose elasticity or crack.
How to avoid freezing windows
Now that we have understood the main reasons why the balcony freezes, you should learn the basic rules for preventing glass fogging.
Install high-tech double-glazed windows
Differences between single- and double-glazed windows
First of all, install two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows. It is imperative to monitor not only the quality of the material, but also the quality of the installation . You must not only choose good windows, but also good craftsmen. Don’t be shy to ask them about all the installation details.
To avoid the question in winter: “the windows on the balcony are freezing - what to do,” you just need to carefully and thoroughly approach the issue of insulating the apartment.
Trying to remove the fittings
- The first step is to remove the window handle. It needs to be pulled straight out of the lock.
- At the end of the frame there is a metal strip, which also needs to be released from its place. In this case, self-tapping screws are used for fastening.
- In order not to unscrew the fittings themselves, you need to understand where and what screws are located. They are easy to distinguish by their heads. Different manufacturers have different numbers of parts.
- If everything was unscrewed correctly, the frame begins to move freely in the groove.
The design of the fittings consists of many parts. Among them there are tractions. You just need to disconnect them, no need to try to do anything by force. On the other hand, actions are carried out in the same sequence as in the first.
How to quickly defrost a balcony and car: useful tips
Vodka will help “warm up” frozen windows
If the balcony is frozen solid, the window frames won’t open, if the car barely starts, and the laundry hung out to dry is ready to “crack” at low temperatures - what to do with all this? Simple tips will help.
“With the arrival of frost, the plastic windows in the apartment and on the balcony turn into an ice fortress. A thick layer of ice freezes on the frames, which is difficult to knock off. It prevents you from opening the window and threatens a small flood with the next warming. How to deal with it?
- — Chemical method. Those who studied diligently at school know: alcohol plus ice equals heat. In scientific terms, alcohol dissolves crystalline hydrates and an exothermic reaction occurs, that is, a reaction that releases heat. It's warm and melts the ice. Therefore, to free the window from the ice captivity, you can tightly attach a cloth soaked in alcohol to the frame, for example, a bandage, gauze, or, if the surface area is large, thoroughly spray the ice with a spray bottle.
What alcohol-containing liquids can be used? Vodka, liqueurs, whiskey and any other strong drinks are suitable. If they didn’t survive the New Year holidays, then feel free to arm yourself with nail polish remover (with acetone) or hand sanitizer.
Note to the housewife: if you add 5-6 drops of dishwashing detergent to the alcohol solution, the melting process will go faster. At the same time, wash the windows.
In addition, you can prepare a solution of glycerin, alcohol and water. Alcohol and water can be replaced with salt in a glycerin-salt ratio of two to one. Glycerin can be purchased at a pharmacy.
- If the temperature outside is below minus 21 degrees, then ordinary table salt will help save the windows. You can prepare a salt solution (50 g of salt per liter of water) and spray it over the ice, or pour salt onto a damp cloth and, without pressing, walk on the ice.
Another folk remedy for dealing with ice is a vinegar solution. It’s easy to prepare: mix three parts vinegar and one part water.
Attention! Under no circumstances should you pour hot water on a frozen surface. Temperature changes can cause cracks in glass and plastic.
- The method is physical. You can melt the ice with a hairdryer. However, experimenters also do not advise placing the device close to a window - the temperature difference can play a cruel joke. In addition, if the icing is small, you can apply a cloth moistened with warm (not hot!) water to it.
