Condensation on windows - tip!

[Binkybix]

Hello All

I live in a house that's quite damp with condensation and with single pane sashes that collect a LOT of condensation. It's been making the inside of windows mouldy and really getting me down. I've been reading loads of stuff about damp, window refurbishment and am trying to sort out a longer term solution.

In the interim though, I wanted a way of removing condensation and found a cloth annoying - drips everywhere, takes ages to dry cloth outside etc. I ordered the Karcher window cleaner to try and suck condensation off and then empty down sink. Just received today and it was amazing!! Clear windows in seconds.

Just thought I'd let people know in case you too are engaged in daily struggle with bloody window condensation!

Ps I am in awe of a Piglet John's knowledge and may be begging for advice in the near future when we try to sort out damp properly!!

Sounds like to need to get a dehumidifier to suck the moisture out of the air before it gets to the condensation and damp causing stage.

Yep, I think that will be part of the solution but also think we need a few airbricks and a bit more heating - big rooms with 1 small radiator etc.

You might find that you don't need more heating if you get rid of the excess moisture in the air. Damp rooms are very difficult to heat.

Hopefully so. I can't work out where all of this moisture is coming from! I think our windows are leaking some from the outside, but not sure if that could be the cause for the whole house. I've bought a humidity meter so am going to try out in different parts of the house.

We do commit the cardinal sin of drying washing inside very occasionally, but only if several days of rain meaning I can't put stuff outside. But I open door and out clothes horse next to it.

The condensation is unlikely to be from just the slightly leaky windows. Drying clothes indoors is a major factor. I always put the dehumidifier next to the clothes airer when I'm drying indoors. Showers and steamy baths create increased humidity as does boiling the kettle and cooking and humans and animals give off moisture all the time. You will be surprised how much moisture general living creates.

I used to run dehumidifier until husband stole it for the basement. I must admit that it's only recently I've become aware of how much damp general living creates, so now I put lids on saucepans, open kitchen and bathroom windows etc, but still not enough.

I got all the water off the front bay windows this morning (it was a lot - droplets) and now it's back. Not as much - just looks foggy but could 2 adults and 1 baby cause all this in one day? Maybe we do or maybe the moisture levels were so high that there was already more water in the air waiting to condense!!

Tell me about it! I was appalled but strangely pleased by the new condensation. I tried to hold off until new droplets formed but failed miserably.

Ha ha, my dad has one of those and he loves it so much he sent me one the other day.

I don't know, fun as it is at first I don't really want to spend my life hoovering windows. I'm thinking secondary glazing might be a better solution.

I've been reading all about secondary glazing today and we may well go for that in long term for noise reduction, but not sure it will sort out condensation. You're right though - I think the novelty will wear off soon enough :)

Oh well.
In my current house some of the windows are double glazed and some aren't, and you really notice the difference in how much more condensation the single glazed ones get, so I hope it will at least help a bit.