Condensation on most Windows - Picture Inside

Solus

Solus

Solus

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I know others have posted regarding UPVC windows and dehumidifiers lately, but I just wanted to know if this level of condensation is normal:

condensation.JPG

That's in our bedroom which is the worst culprit. The windows are 25 year old and all of that condensation you see there is on the inside.

Other windows have condensation but usually just at the bottom, you can't even see out of this!

Do you think there's something going wrong here with the seals?

I have the money to replace all the Windows but obviously don't want to do it if it's likely to be the same afterwards.

I've got extractor fans, vents and am yet to buy a dehumidifier. The house isn't boiling, it's kept at a steady 20c.
 
Ouch, that looks bad.

My house is relatively humid (normally around 60-70% RH) measured on a £15 Hygrometer from Amazon. No idea how new the windows are (I'd imagine within 10 years or so) but I get a few inches on the bottom at most on the really cold mornings.

I'd buy a Hygrometer and go from there first.

Whether it's the seals or not isn't really my area of expertise but I'd say if they were gone, you'd be lowering the RH of the room due to the draft but obviously lowering the temperature of the interior pane which would exacerbate the problem... so dunno... :D
 
Our bedroom one is pretty bad first thing in the morning.
Though we don't have any ventilation so will probably be quite humid.

Is your window drafty?
I know that we have a draft on one of the windows (opener), easily fixed, will see if that helps it and report back to you.
 
When you say on the inside, I presume its double glazed and in between the glass?
I suspect its your seals, at 25 yrs old they are pushing the max life for windows (or rather the rubber seals).
I don't know if you can get them re-sealed as I think they come as a sealed unit.

We're replacing our windows next year (20 years) as condensation is building up (and we don't like them).
 
Have this issue around this time of year.. Windows are the least of the worrys for us its when all that damp starts settling on the walls/wallpaper that it becomes a big issue with mold etc.

I'm forced to always, all year round have the windows on the latch and I've got 2 of the small throw away dehumidifiers on each windows sill that I have to replace every month.

Your issue on the other hand is indeed excessive.. Have you plenty of ventilation?
 
If that is on inside - ie you can wipe if off as against between panes then that's how bad our 20 odd yr old UPVC windows were - I had mine replaced as cheaply as I could and just get 2 inch along bottom in bedroom and slight bit on other rooms -- As I said in previous post those Karcher WV50 battery powered window vac's are brilliant at sucking up that condensation.

I used to find a towel got so wet it could never dry glass.

dave
 
That looks pretty bad, about the same as I used to get with single glazing! Even with A-rated units you can still get a little condensation, usually in a thin strip at the bottom of the window, but a lot better than you have now.

Might be a good time to get the whole window swapped as it looks like your gaskets are shrinking and also they are exterior beaded, much safer to have interior beading. Plus the current frames will probably be 60mm thick, whereas the newer 70mm frames can accommodate a thicker double glazed unit.
 
Yes, when I say inside I mean inside the house, not the pane.

So it does actually drip down on to the window sill and can be wiped off from the inside.

I've got a local upvc coming to measure up and for a quote.

I guess it's worthwhile replacing them all anyway as they are so old and will add to the look of the house.
 
Interior beading will make your house more secure, so i'd say its definitely worth getting it done. You current window could be broken into in less than a minute, without making any noise :eek:.

I'd ask for trickle vents on the windows effected by bad condensation as this will allow a bit of air to circulate and should help. Or if you don't like the look of them you could just open the window a little bit.
 
As said - Karcher Window Vac is really handy for cleaning this up.

You've got to keep on top of the condensation, the more you leave it the more it builds up. You need to ensure you're not doing daft things like having showers with the bathroom doors open, drying lots of laundry by putting stuff on radiators etc. Making a few changes and one of those window vacs has made a huge difference in our house. That said our windows were never quite that bad, but enough to make a small pool of water on the sill.
 
To be honest, my little 1 year old has baths every night, obviously not steaming hot but while the water's running the door is open.

Showers are always closed doored, we've had a full rewire since buying the house (it's an old 1950s council house). Brand new extractor fan in bathroom with the overrun once light is turned off. There's a vent also in 2 adjacent bedrooms but no vent in our bedroom (it was built this way).

I also leave the ceiling fan on low in the room during the night which I read can help but doesn't.

I'm going to take the plunge and change all the windows, as previous poster said it's a big security upgrade too, my brother in law also mentioned how easy they are to break in to.

We never use the radiators to dry clothes, never have, tumble dryer is on constantly which is vented through an external wall in an outbuilding.
 
I put one of these in the roof space of our new house instead of trickle vents in the windows.

http://www.beamcentralsystems.com/ventilation-systems/positive-input-piv

My parents had similar problems with condensation and they put one of these in the roof space in the hall and it cured it. The house is always fresh and it's great for anyone with allergies (hay fever etc).

Cost about £250 at the time but worth it IMO.
 
I have a 1920s build that has new UPVC windows and it had issues with condensation because they effectively seal the house and stop the moisture escaping. I installed a positive ventilation system like AMMUT mentioned and now the humidity rarely gets above 45% which isn't enough to cause condensation on my windows.

This is the one I bought and I installed it myself.

http://nuaire.info/catalogue/PIV-Drimaster365.pdf
 
aaronhowe said:
This is the one I bought and I installed it myself.

http://nuaire.info/catalogue/PIV-Drimaster365.pdf
Click to expand...

I've been looking at something like this, I just don't really get how it removes condensation from windows? With a dehumidifier its obvious as you are removing the moisture and chucking it down the sink, but this doesn't remove any?

How do those with positive input systems find them, does it remove all the condensation from your windows?

I am equally as amazed about these things as I am confused :p

Sorry for hijacking thread!
 
All the PIV does is pump dry air from the loft into the house. This creates a positive air pressure in the house which then wants to escape out of any seals, doorways etc. This constant air flow of new air being pumped in and old air escaping reduces or stops the buildup of humidity in the house being generated by people breathing, cooking, drying clothes and taking showers etc.
 
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