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February 14, 2009
A Cure for Sweaty Windows
Q: Ed, we live in a cold wet climate way up north. Our basement is very musty and damp. This year when the temperature has not been below freezing, all the windows in the house get soaking wet. We use a dehumidifier during the day and even open up some windows a bit to circulate the air, but we can't stop the sweating! The windows are old and may be part of the problem, but before we replace them what else can we try?
-Lilly, Newfoundland
A: Most moisture problems in a home usually relate to a wet basement problem. A wet basement can equal a wet house, so first start in the basement.
I would check your "three g's" -- the gutters, grading and ground water. Make sure all your gutter downspouts drain at least four feet away from your home. Gutter extensions can usually take care of that. Make sure the grading of the land around your home always pitches away from your foundation. Make sure your basement has a vapor barrier for the floor (no exposed earth), and in wet climates a sump pump is a must to remove ground water from your basement.
Also, move your dehumidifier into the basement and run it 24/7 with the drain hose emptying into your sump pump pit for automatic draining. Upstairs, keep the windows closed and make sure you always use your bathroom exhaust fans, especially when showering. I hope that this advice helps to keep your windows high and dry!
Ed Del Grande, the author of Ed Del Grande's House Call, was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.Posted by Ed Del Grande at February 14, 2009 11:16 AM
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Comments
i live in Florida and during the cold months my windows get sweaty and wet. i don't know why this happand or how to avoid. its new home so any information would be great.
Posted by: Bib at February 25, 2009 8:30 AM
I was reading the article about sweating windows. We have the same problem with just a few of our windows, one being our patio doors. We do not have a basement so that's not our problem. We don't have gutter either. The bottom of the patio doors are about 3 feet above the ground, so I don't feel the problem is with grading or ground water. Both of the windows are on the backside of our house that NEVER sees the sun. I'm sure that is part of the problem. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Melissa Hart at February 25, 2009 8:33 AM
Hello!
I am experiencing a recurring problem similar to sweating windows: it's sweating baseboards in a bedroom closet. The two "outside" walls seem to have moisture accumulating during the winter months. It had occurred ten years ago and started up, again, in December. The other walls are against a bathroom and the bedroom. We have had the brickwork repointed--with rousing compliments--as well as both the roof and gutter checked with a pluses. Is it possible that there is a genuine condensation taking place?
Thanks for your time.
Posted by: Linda B. at February 25, 2009 4:17 PM
We live in the Mid South and we have the same problem of sweating windows, especially when it is extremely cold outside. I have found that if you take a small container,preferably decorative, and put about 8 to 12 pieces of charcoal in it and sit the container in the window sill, it will prevent a lot of the sweating of your window. It may not prevent all of it, but it will help alot.
Posted by: Earl Hodge at February 26, 2009 12:05 AM
Ed, everything you mentioned is great advice.
Might I also stress the importance of having an exhaust fan above the cooking area that vents moisture outside instead of blowing it back into the room.
Because I do a lot of cooking and canning, I had a stronger exhaust fan ordered for me in order to ensure it was strong enough to handle the moisture I created in the kitchen. It was during a remodel and didn't cost much more compared to those in the store. It has helped a lot to reduce the moisture in my home.
Posted by: Michelle B. at April 7, 2009 10:17 PM
