Have you ever experienced getting fog in your windows at home that just does not go away despite all your efforts to clean it? Foggy windows are not only unsightly and block your view. They could also mean serious moisture and mold problems.
Whether it’s just steam on your foggy windows or there’s water dripping down the glass, it is important to act on it immediately. To solve your foggy windows problem, you first have to understand why they fog up in the first place. Find out what your foggy windows are telling you.
Condensation: The Culprit behind Your Foggy Windows
Foggy window is the result when condensation forms on the interior glass of your window or in between the glass panels. Condensation is triggered by the combination of both cool glass surface and increased moisture in the air from inside the home. The water vapor from the warmer air condenses when it hits the cool glass surface and form fog or water droplets. It’s very much like how beads of water form on your cold glass of juice during summer. Dew or moisture are more likely to appear in windows because the window glass and its metal frames are usually the coolest surfaces in your home’s interior.
Common Causes of Condensation and Foggy Windows
Some causes of foggy windows are just natural and temporary. However, there are instances that require your immediate action, especially if you experience constant and prolonged condensation on your window. Understanding why condensation appears on your home’s windows is key to identifying and rectifying possible underlying problems.
· Indoor humidity
Humidity is the water vapor that is present in the air, both indoors and outdoors. This moisture inside your home can come from many various sources such as humidifiers, plants, and your heating system. Activities that use water like doing laundry, taking a bath, washing the dishes, cooking, and even mopping floors could add moisture to the air. More moisture inside the home means higher humidity, which in turn results to condensation and foggy windows.
· Sudden temperature change
If you’ve noticed, foggy windows usually appear during early mornings. This is because the lower night temperature cools down the window glass. Plus, if the temperature inside the home is warmer, visible moisture can be seen on the glass. This is usually temporary. When the temperature outside rises in the morning, the dew evaporates, clearing up your windows.
· Change in climate
Condensation is more likely to appear during fall, where there is a quick decrease in temperature from summer. As the weather becomes colder, your window glass temperature cools down as well, forming condensation. It is likewise around this time when you turn on your heating system. This causes moisture in your furniture, wood, and cloths inside the house to pass into the air. Your home should dry out after a few weeks and the fog on your window should disappear as well.
· Brand new house or newly remodeled homes
Newly built homes usually allow little exchange of air and has moisture trapped in the drywall, wood and concrete and other building materials from construction. In addition to that, some techniques and materials used in constructing homes to keep the cold air out tend to lock moisture in, therefore increasing humidity indoors. Foggy windows and condensation should be expected for about a year for newly constructed or remodeled homes.
· Window type
Some windows are more prone to condensation than other types like bow or bay windows. This is because air circulation around recessed windows are more restricted, and they tend to have cooler temperature.
· Window shades and drapes
Window coverings like drapes and shades may not cause condensation directly, but they can restrict the flow of warm interior air over the window surface. When the shades are down and drapes are closed, condensation is more likely to occur.
· Faulty sealant
Sometimes, the fog in your windows do not disappear even if your tried wiping it from both inside and outside. This is because the fog appears in between the panes when you have a double or triple glazed window. This is most likely due to a leak in the sealant between the window frame and the glass. The gap allows moisture to enter the space between the glass panes, fogging up your window.
What Your Foggy Windows are Telling You
Aside from being annoying and unsightly, foggy windows are not a problem in its own. However, they are very effective warning signs of humidity problems that could damage your home. High humidity inside the home can result to costly problems such as rotting wood, peeling paint, deteriorating insulation, icy window glass or frames, mold and mildew. A broken window seal could also mean you are losing a huge amount of heat from your home which could increase your energy bills.
Take Action Now!
When fog on your windows are appearing more often and longer than normal, it is high time to do something about it before worse problems occur. You should reduce the humidity inside your home by increasing ventilation and reducing possible moisture sources.
You should also have your window seals checked and repaired if necessary. Have your windows replaced with a more appropriate glass for your climate or region. Best to contact a trusted glass window professional for a proper assessment and solid advice on what to do with your foggy windows.
