Monday, June 1, 2009

Get Help With Your Window Moisture Problem

By Angie Meza

Window moisture might seem like a nuisance, an inconvenience -- something that you simply wipe away, allow to dry or ignore. But ignoring this problem could lead to costly repair bills in the future, as the moisture can seep into the wood around the window, causing it to rot or to weaken the window's insulation.

Water on the inside of the windows is a result of air mixing with water vapor. The condensation occurs when the surface of the window is a different temperature to the interior air. When you jump in the shower, wash dishes, cook or do laundry, water vapor is created, but if the heating and ventilation set up in your home is correct, this would normally evaporate into the air.

If you have storm windows in addition to your regular windows, look to see if the window moisture is on the inside of the outer window. If it is, this means that moisture is escaping from the inside to the storm window. Where condensation occurs on the inside of the inner window, poor circulation in the home has trapped airborne water.

Numerous measures are available to help solve your window moisture problems. Consider covering the window with clear plastic, replacing your windows with more energy-efficient ones, inserting rope caulk into window cracks, using water absorbent socks, or a draft stopper. The absorbent sock and the draft stopper are easy to install, probably the most cost-effective and least time-consuming.

Window gaps are a primary cause of condensation. Moisture forms during winter as cold air is coming through from the outside. A cool window surface enables the condensation, but often, a draft blocker fitted around the window can solve this issue.

A window moisture problem can often be attributed to drafts, so you should consider draft stoppers. These are flexible insulators, measuring 3" x 42", which can be fitted into pretty much any space without adhesive. If they get wet, they can simply be air dried and replaced. Due to their flexibility and relative low cost, they can be added to all the windows in your home. Save up to 25% of your annual utility bill, and give your heating and cooling systems a break.

Where water on windows is a big problem, consider installing a water absorbent sock. These items not only plug any openings around the window, but absorb all the moisture. Avoid water damage to your window frames, sills and flooring and prevent the paint around your windows from peeling at the same time.

Water absorbent technology has given us products which are ideal to collect window moisture. Inexpensive, and able to hold up to a gallon of water, these items are durable and flexible. The exterior is made with nylon and the interior filled with polypropylene, making them able to conform to any surface. - 23802

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