Don’t settle for sweating windows! Many homeowners suffer from this common problem caused by excess moisture due to temperature differences in the interior and exterior of the home. This is why sweating windows often occur during the summer and winter months when outside temperatures are more extreme. The good news is sweating windows can be remedied. Follow our useful steps to help eliminate unwanted, sweating windows in your home.
What are Sweating Windows?
Sweating windows have condensation build-up on the surface of the glass. Because the temperature of the glass varies more than other parts of the home, windows are more susceptible to condensation. In high humidity areas like Jacksonville, windows often experience more window sweat than drier climates.
Another common cause of sweating windows is when the bathroom or kitchen steams up during a shower or cooking. This same issue can occur when a humidifier runs in a closed room like overnight in a bedroom. These are conditional issues that occur frequently, but they still need attention to avoid problems from the excess moisture.
Other, more serious causes can be leaks in window seals, poor home ventilation or a poorly working HVAC system. These issues must also be addressed to help manage the moisture in your home to keep your windows from sweating and to avoid major damage to your home and your health.
Why Sweating Windows are a Problem
Sweating windows not only look bad, they can lead to many other problems for you and your home. The least pressing problem is that wet windows block the view outside and drip water on the window seal or floor creating a mess.
Another more serious issue is that sweating windows are a symptom of too much moisture in the home. This is a problem because it can lead to mold and mildew, which can cause damage to your home and health problems for you and your family. In fact, indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air quality. According to the EPA, air pollutants are often two to five times higher inside as compared to outdoors.
The excess humidity can lead to structural damage in your home like rotting wood, peeling paint, decomposing walls and more. It’s important to take excess moisture seriously to avoid costly repairs to your home.
Five Ways to Resolve Sweating Windows
1 – Upgrade to Double-Paned Low E-Glass Windows
Single-paned windows provide less insulation and are less energy efficient than double-paned low e-glass windows. The lack of insulation can lead to more condensation on the window surface. Not only that, but the reduced energy efficiency means that your home’s air conditioner must work harder to keep your home’s temperature stable.
To help reduce window condensation and the damage excess moisture can cause to the window casings, surrounding walls and floors, replace your old single-paned windows. New window technology provides better insulation with the use of low e-glass. Upgrading to double-paned windows also offers additional protection against heat transfer.
If you have double-paned windows and notice condensation between the panes, you likely have a seal leak. Contact your local window service professional to discuss repair options for your windows.
2 – Proper Home Ventilation
One common cause of sweating windows is poor ventilation which leads to the buildup of excess moisture in your home. This is the most important solution you can take to improve the health of your home and prevent sweating windows. Often new homes, that are built to be more energy efficient, can have poor ventilation, trapping air inside. This does help keep your home’s temperature stable, but homeowners need to take steps to ensure that air transfer happens properly.
First, for condensation in the bathroom or kitchen due to use, turn on the exhaust fan for at least 15 minutes after a shower or cooking to allow the air to escape. This simple step can help avoid unwanted mold and mildew on window casing. Another simple solution is to open a few windows in your home for five to 10 minutes each day. This easy act allows air to circulate throughout your home.
One bigger issue is structural ventilation problems. Inspect your attic, basement and crawlspace to determine if these areas of your home have proper ventilation. If you home doesn’t have adequate vents, contact a professional to install the necessary vents to ensure your home has proper air flow.
3 – Schedule HVAC Maintenance
A properly working HVAC system helps keep your home’s temperature stable and reduces the amount of unwanted condensation. Regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance is a great way to keep your system working properly. However, if you notice new sweating windows, you may want to have your HVAC system checked before you tackle other solutions to rule out a possible problem.
If you have an air vent directly above or below a window, this can lead to window condensation for that one window. Consider moving the vent or closing the vent if the condensation is causing a problem like mold or wood damage.
4 – Install a Dehumidifier
For major condensation issues consider installing a dehumidifier. Especially in humid areas like Jacksonville, window condensation can be a problem when outside temperatures are hot or cold. You can help regulate the amount of moisture in the air with a dehumidifier. Not only will a dehumidifier help eliminate sweating windows, but it’ll also help reduce allergens in your home making the indoor air quality better.
5 – Insulate Your Windows
As with single-paned windows, poorly insulated windows are less energy efficient. The lack of insulation allows for heat transfer that leads to window condensation. Insulating your windows is an easy DIY project. You can purchase caulk or weather stripping at your local hardware store and follow the instructions for installation. This simple project can help reduce window moisture and lower your energy bill with added energy efficiency.
Sweating windows are undesirable, a sign of excess moisture in your home, and can lead to major home and health issues. Don’t ignore your window condensation. Instead, take steps to resolve the underlying issues.
If you need to upgrade your single-paned windows or repair leaking window seals, contact the Jacksonville window experts at American Window Products today!