Why plastic windows sweat is one of the most common questions among the owners of such windows. And this is a really unpleasant situation, since light passes through them into the house and look at the world, and this is difficult to do if the glass is in drops of water, which also drain onto the windowsill. To all this, due to condensate, harmful fungi and mold can begin to grow, which are not always easy to wash off.
When buying new plastic windows, everyone expects to get rid of condensate. But in order to choose the right windows, you need to know which ones are worth buying and the reasons why plastic windows sweat in order to eliminate them in advance.
Causes of window fogging from the outside
The main reasons why plastic windows in a private house or apartment sweat:
- poor ventilation;
- low or jumps room temperature;
- an error was made during installation.
The first reason is poor ventilation of the room. It is she who removes excess moisture from the apartment. If the ventilation does not work well, then the humidity of the air quickly rises and thus condensation occurs on the window.
You can check how well the ventilation works with a paper towel. It is brought to the ventilation grill, if it is attracted, then everything is in order, and if not, then it is necessary to clean the entire system.
Installing a fan on the grate will significantly improve the extraction of moist air.
In many old houses, ventilation was carried out due to leakage of windows and doors. But plastic windows are made absolutely tight, which disrupts the ventilation system.
If there is no ventilation in the house, daily airing of the room (20 minutes a day) will help. Heat loss during this time will be negligible.
Many double-glazed windows have a special system called "winter ventilation mode". When the handle is set to a certain position, the window moves away a little and the room is ventilated. Often because of this system, fogging problems arise, as many simply forget to switch from summer to winter mode.
Advice ! Always keep an eye on a boiling kettle, turn it off on time, do not cook food for a long time without a lid, do not dry clothes on batteries. All this greatly affects the fogging of windows.
Installing a hood in the kitchen or air conditioning in the living rooms will also help solve the problem of fogging.
Attention ! Do not ventilate the room during precipitation, when the humidity outside is much higher than indoors.
The second reason is poor-quality foundation and proximity to the basement. Together, they can also cause fogging of plastic windows. Solving this problem will be much more difficult.
In new buildings, double-glazed windows sweat due to insufficiently dried walls and ceilings. Also, condensate may fall out after repair (fresh wallpaper, various putties, etc.).
The third reason is the low temperature in the room.
Good heating after ventilation will quickly solve this problem with dry air. Another thing you can do to keep the windows from sweating is to point a fan at them or install an additional heater.
In order for the room to remain warm for as long as possible, it must be properly insulated. It is best to insulate the wall from the outside (from the side of the street), since then the dew point will move closer to the outer edge of the wall and the windows will stop sweating altogether.
In summer, double-glazed windows fog up mainly due to the lack of ventilation or ventilation during cooking a large amount of food (canning).
They also sweat because of the dense arrangement of flowers or office folders. All of them do not allow warm air from the battery to pass to the glass.
The fourth reason is poor quality installation. During the installation of plastic windows, workers made mistakes. For example, there was a gap between the frame and the window opening. Atmospheric precipitation enters the cracks and the draft draws moisture into the room.
Poor-quality fittings or those installed in violation of the rules will not allow the window to close tightly, which will also affect the increase in humidity.
Insufficiently insulated slopes also affect the fogging of double-glazed windows. External slopes are best insulated with foam, and the points of contact between the window and the opening are smeared with cement mortar and mounting foam. Internal slopes are insulated with glass wool or basalt slabs.
Many people like to make wide window sills. But because of this, it begins to close most or even the entire battery, as a result, the glass does not warm up and it fogs up. The problem is solved by holes in the windowsill or by installing a convection grate.
Checking the microclimate
Before proceeding to any action, it is necessary to check the microclimate of the apartment or house.
- The first step is to check the temperature. Measure it in the center of the room. If the temperature is below 20, then the heating is not working efficiently enough.
- The second step is to measure the relative humidity of the air. This will require a hygrometer. At a temperature of 20 relative humidity should be no more than 50-55%. But if the temperature outside is below 15, then the humidity should be 35-40%. If there is more, then condensation will fall out.
Condensation is affected by another important parameter - the dew point.
Important ! If the glass surface temperature is above the dew point, the windows will not sweat.
The table shows all indicators for determining the dew point.
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Humidity, % |
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Causes of window fogging inside
Marriage
During production, mistakes were made, for example, water got inside. As a result, each time it is heated, it evaporates and settles on inside glass.
Window seal broken
Such a problem can arise in the case of careless installation or also a factory defect. Humid air and precipitation get inside and evaporate, settling on the glass.
Damaged ventilation system
In some double-glazed windows, a ventilation system for sealed zones is provided. Fogging can occur due to a defect during manufacture or improper use of the window.
In this case, only a qualified specialist can determine the problem and correctly fix it. It may be necessary to replace only the rubber seal. If the glass pane cannot be repaired, it will need to be replaced. As a rule, if the window warranty period has not yet expired, then it should be replaced absolutely free of charge.
The probability of marriage in a plastic window is extremely low, therefore, before inviting specialists, exclude all other causes of condensation. Moreover, if all the windows in the house fog up at once, then a non-production marriage is to blame.
To protect yourself from buying low-quality material, you should study most window manufacturers. You should choose only those who have the best reputation in this area.
Buying plastic double-glazed windows carefully inspect them for damage and gaps. Even the smallest crack can be a source of big problems.
Attention ! Install windows only in dry and warm weather.
This is necessary so that the mounting foam and cement mortar are completely dry.
Folk anti-fogging methods
To prevent windows from sweating, you can use folk remedies.
Many people suggest putting a couple of slow-burning decorative candles (always in candlesticks) closer to the glass. Due to the heating of the air, convection will improve and the glass will begin to dry out. The advantage of this method is that a positive mood is created and carbon dioxide for plants on the windowsill (keep the candles away from the leaves of the plants so as not to scorch them).
Fans will also create excellent airflow. If you direct them to the window, then it will be dry in 10-15 minutes.
Chemical products, such as car sprays, can help with fogging. They can also process glass in the house. But before that, it should be washed and dried, and only then apply the product. But this method belongs to the category of expensive and unsafe, since the product contains many chemical compounds.
If you do not have experience in the installation of double-glazed windows, then invite specialists. Incorrect installation can not only create a problem with windows and heat loss, but also damage the walls of the house.
- good visibility. This is especially true in the off-season and in winter, when precipitation and darkness create natural problems for the perception of the situation on the road. And at the same time, most often motorists are faced with the problem of fogging windows.
The main reason for fogging windows is. In a warmer interior, moisture condenses on cold windows. Therefore, you can fight fogging by warming up the windows and drying the air - often this happens at the same time.
Here we give some simple tips on how to keep windows transparent.
Correctly set up climate control systems
At the first sign of fogging, you need to select the window blowing mode, direct the air flow from the deflectors to the windows and slightly increase the temperature. If the car has air conditioning, then it should dry the air in a few minutes. You just need to be sure that the internal circulation mode is turned off. If the climate system does not cope well with warming up and drying the air, you need to check the cabin filter - it could absorb too much moisture, and in wet weather it does not have time to dry out, or it's just time to replace it.
Treat glass with special products
There are many different anti-foggers on the market - liquids, aerosols, wipes. The principle of this autocosmetics is the same - the properties change surface tension. The solutions create the thinnest film, from which the smallest particles of water roll off, forming drops that do not interfere with the view, or, conversely, the water remains on the glass, but lies in a transparent layer. Apply the product to clean and dry surfaces, and repeat the procedure as needed. You just need to find a drug that suits you according to the method of application, the smell and the result.Treat glass with "folk methods"
The problem of fogging has been around for a long time, so drivers had time to find several options for window treatment using improvised means. One of the most popular is applying a solution of 1 part glycerin and 10 parts alcohol. If you use only glycerin, the glass will become greasy and at night there will be strong glare in the divorces, which impair visibility. Some advise wiping windows with newspapers - printing ink contains substances that create the same film as when using auto chemicals. Another tip is to rub the windows with tobacco from ordinary cigarettes.
Anti-fogging films
A cardinal and durable solution is to cover the glass with a special film, similar to that used for optics, motorcycle helmets or commercial equipment. It is applied in the same way as a tinting film - and it is better to trust professionals in this matter.
Remove excess moisture from the interior
In an extreme situation, open windows can save you from fogging. But after airing it will be harder to restore the climatic balance.
Often in winter and in wet weather, water or snow gets inside the car. When the interior begins to warm up, the liquid evaporates and settles on cold windows. To reduce this effect, excess moisture should be removed. Sometimes you need to remove puddles or ice from the rugs, and if there is already a lot of water, put newspapers under your feet and throw them away when they are soaked. In the case when even with a little rain it becomes wet in the cabin, you need to check its tightness - the departed seal can be a source of not only high humidity, but also premature corrosion. No need to store rags that were used to wipe wet surfaces in the cabin - put them in the trunk or under the hood. Reduces humidity salt in a paper bag that can be put on the back seat. The effect will be better if the packaging was previously dried in heat.
Don't chat
The source of moisture is very often the people inside. The air they exhale is much warmer than the surrounding air and saturated with moisture, so when traveling with a large and noisy company, the driver now and then needs to reconfigure the climate in the cabin. If the equipment can not cope, then you can ask the passengers to just be silent for a while, for the sake of their own safety.
Check interior ventilation
It's rare, but sometimes it happens. After a rear-ended car, special ventilation valves can be sealed. In this case, the air circulation calculated by the engineers does not occur. Another variant of the same problem is an excessive amount of things in the cabin and trunk. The solution is to check the throughput of the air ducts, having previously studied their location according to the instructions. Clogged drain holes in the air conditioning system can also be attributed to the same problem. Standing water is simply blown into the cabin, and the situation can be corrected by simple cleaning.
If the car windows sweat without objective reasons, this may indicate a malfunction in the engine cooling system. The vapors formed from overheating enter the cabin through the ventilation system. In this case, it is better to turn to professionals.One of the most common causes of windows fogging up is passengers on the eve of a trip. The exhaled vapors of alcohol, due to its hygroscopicity, additionally absorb moisture from the body, and it settles on the windows. This explains the increased interest of traffic police officers in such vehicles. You can deal with such fogging in the usual ways, but it is better to advise passengers not to abuse it before the trip.
An attractive view from the windows of our apartment can be spoiled by one simple phenomenon - fogging of the glass. The accumulated condensate will not allow you to enjoy the panorama outside the window frame. The question arises, what to do when windows fog up? We will try to understand all the subtleties and determine best ways problem solving.
Influence of condensate
We call condensate the changed physical characteristics of the liquid under the influence of low air temperature. Even in the warmest and driest apartment, the air contains gaseous liquid pores. Excessive accumulation of moisture leads to contact with cold surfaces. As a result, gaseous flows merge with window panes, transforming into condensate.
fogging This is a direct result of excess moisture in the air. It is noteworthy that the owners of plastic frames face a similar problem much more often than the owners wooden windows. The fact is that plastic does not allow air to pass through, but it accumulates on cold glasses. In winter, this is fraught with freezing and accumulation of fungal deposits.
5 Causes of Condensation on Windows
- The fogging of windows or the state of condensation is associated with climate change outside the window. In this case, the problem is aggravated only as a result of high humidity in the room. If the humidity is normal, then there will be no problem.
- The next reason for the accumulation of condensate is the level of air circulation in the room. It is a mistake to think that windows sweat only from moist air. In winter, people neglect the elementary ventilation of rooms. The result is the accumulation of condensate and fogging of windows from the inside.
- The condition of the condensate is affected by excessive sealing of window openings. However, insufficient sealing leads to the merging of warm room air with the cold surface of the window, which also threatens with fogging.
- In some cases, the cause of the accumulation of condensate can be an abundance of moisture in the room - proximity to a showered room, a kitchen sink, a large aquarium or a water filter.
- Replacing radiators or batteries - the heat that has settled in the apartment is disturbed by a change in the microclimate. This also includes too thick curtains or blinds that prevent the normal circulation of air masses.
Folk remedies for foggy windows
If you are a supporter folk methods to deal with troubles, we offer you the most effective recipes for eliminating condensate:
- Let's start from the very easy way- buy a liquid called "Second" in the store and prepare some newspapers. Spray the product on the misted area, then spread the moisture over the entire glass. The final touch will be the removal of the agent with the help of old newspapers, which, due to the printing ink, give the glass an attractive sheen.
- At a cold room temperature, take some alcohol and add it to a container of water. The liquid is perfectly absorbed into the glass and creates protection against condensate.
- Prepare a solution of chalk with water - the liquid removes the vaporous layers of glass and protects from fogging. In the absence of chalk, you can use the powder for the teeth.
- Buy a few thick-based decorative candles from the store. Light the wick and place the candles on the window sill of the problematic window. After a few hours of burning, the air circulation in the room will return to normal, and the condensate will no longer stick to the glass.
Final set of solutions
Do not forget about the neutralization of open sources of moisture in the room, especially if they are out of working condition. For those who like to breed fish in an aquarium, it is advisable to cover the container with a glass lid or cloth. Check the operation of the exhaust systems - it is better to fix the malfunction in advance, otherwise humid air will reach the windows. Take care of uniform distribution flower pots near windows - a greenhouse around one area threatens to become a source of fogging.
Car enthusiasts can use the help of chemicals for the treatment of car windows.
If the question of why plastic windows are sweating torments you even after application folk remedies, then most likely the reason is a malfunction of the double-glazed window. Over time, PVC models tend to lose their usual sealing. The resulting cracks serve as a source of contact between cold and warm air. The solution will be a complete or partial replacement of the double-glazed window. In this case, it is best to contact the service company.
Thus, fogging of windows is primarily a problem of high humidity in the room. It is important to ensure the flow of fresh air and regularly ventilate the room. And then clean glass will open before you the panorama of the beautiful street outside the window!
In the autumn-spring, and even in the winter, car windows often sweat (even in new and serviceable) cars. There are a lot of reasons for this and the stove or air conditioner does not always save. Therefore, now a lot of different “anti-foggers” have been “thrown out” on the auto cosmetics market, which help to combat this phenomenon. BUT not all of them cost adequately, and some simply do not work. Today I will tell you a recipe for such a composition with my own hands, and for mere pennies ...
All of the tools below have been personally tested by me and really work. You can use them not only in the car, but also for swimming goggles or windows at home. However, some work better, some worse.
So, let's begin:
If someone does not believe, try to put on the windows. This is still an old grandfather method that has been working for years (by the way, soldiers used it to process glasses in gas masks so that they do not sweat).
The principle of application is simple. It is necessary to apply the "grid" with a piece of soap on the car windows and then grind this matter well. The composition works confidently, the efficiency is HIGH.
There are also disadvantages - you can do it only in warm weather, because it is VERY difficult to grind such a grid in the cold
WD-40
Oddly enough, this mixture also works here (read how), it is both a lubricant and a “corrosive”, and it TURNS out to be an anti-fog! All in one.
Simply spray onto the surface to be treated and rub dry. Moisture will not collect on the glass. The effect is average, but it works
Cons - the smell in the cabin, and it is also not desirable that it gets on the plastic panel.
It is sold in a pharmacy, it costs really mere pennies (we have about 11 rubles for a small “bottle”). The same composition for all occasions. Based on it, I have already prepared -.
Method of application - simply impregnate a rag and rub the glass surface dry with it. All ingredients are working. Efficiency average
Cons - doesn't last long. The surface needs to be cleaned frequently. Greasy and a lot of dust can stick to the glass from the inside.
Shaving foam or gel
Personally, I myself use this method and, in my opinion, this is the best do-it-yourself anti-fog, for sane money. And most importantly, that both are available in almost every home and there is no need to specially spend extra money.
Application method - you will need paper towels (gel works better, not much, but still). Squeeze a little and rub the glass. Next, take a dry towel and process the surface until transparent.
The efficiency is the highest. There are almost no cons
Watch the video version now
In conclusion, I would like to say that these anti-fog recipes will certainly help you, but if it’s damp on your rugs, and even more so under them, you can already squeeze it out, then you need to dry the interior first and then process it, otherwise the effect will be much worse.
You can also advise putting some cat litter in a small bag, say under the seat, it will absorb excess moisture and keep it in itself. You need to change it about once a week - two (it will just swell).
This concludes, I think my article and video were useful to you. Subscribe to the channel, read AUTO BLOG.
