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Condensation information from Suburban Construction




What is Condensation?


Condensation is the result of high humidity that produces a "fog" once it hits a colder surface. The humidity is caused by excess water vapor in the home. This is commonly seen in a foggy mirror after a hot shower. Condensation usually occurs first on windows because glass surfaces have the lowest temperature of any of the interior surfaces in the home.


Windows do not cause condensation.


Windows serve as visible areas for moisture to condense, warning you that there is too much moisture inside your home. Of course, windows don't manufacture water. If you were out in the desert, you'd want a canteen, not a window. 

But, people seem to believe that windows do sometimes 'produce' water. They call up window contractors and say, "My windows are all wet and it's the fault of the windows." Well, not exactly. Water on windows is condensation, and it can be a problem. Therefore, the solution does not come from the windows themselves.

What causes window condensation, and what can I do about it?


More and more homeowners are concerned about growing condensation problems. For the most part, advances in home building technology can be blamed. For example, the "tighter" construction of newer homes includes the following: increased use of modern labor saving appliances, improved building materials, compact floor plans, gas furnaces, and additional showers. Any and all of these factors might cause a little fog on the corners of your windows, and that shouldn't bother you. 

But "problem" condensation, fog or moisture that covers whole window, should bother you. These visible effects are just the tip of the iceberg. What is happening elsewhere in your home? In your attic, excess moisture may be freezing in the insulation where it will later melt and damage your plaster or drywall. Or, perhaps it's forcing its way out through your siding,  forming blisters under the exterior paint. It may also be promoting the growth of unhealthy mildew in your home.

What causes high humidity?


Humidity comes from excess water vapor in the air. All homes have a certain level of moisture due to the household activities such as cooking, laundry and dish washing. These can add up to five pounds of water vapor into the air daily. Other moisture-producing agents include plants, heating systems and humidifiers. 

Seasonal changes, quick changes in temperature, reconstruction and remodeling can also add excess humidity in your air temporarily. During construction, large quantities of water are displaced into the air from building materials such as concrete, plaster, taping, etc. After one season of heating it will commonly dry out and your condensation problems will disappear.

Why wasn't it always there?


Today's technology produces more energy efficient, "tighter" homes. This is great for keeping your home more comfortable, quieter, and cleaner, but by sealing your home you are also keeping moisture in. In today's home, it's very easy to build up extremely high levels of humidity.


Does the amount of condensation depend on the type of window I have?


Sometimes recessed windows like bow and bay windows experience more condensation than other window styles. Air circulated around those windows types is usually more restricted, and their position away from the insulated house wall keeps bays and bows a few degrees cooler in temperature. To diminish condensation, a smart installer will insulate under the seat and head of the unit. As a secondary measure, placing a common electric fan near the window to produce air circulation may also be helpful. 

Here are some Further Tips to Reduce Your Home's Humidity:

1. Be sure all ventilation to the outside is functional. Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Consider installing a laundry room exhaust fan. Run exhaust fans while the humidity producing appliance is operating or the humidity producing activity is in progress, and let them run a while after the activities have ended.

2. Air out your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room during or just after use. Because outside air usually contains less water vapor, it will "dilute" the humidity of inside air. This takes place automatically in older homes through constant infiltration of outside air.

3. The process of heating your home will reduce the relative humidity, provided it's dry heat. It will counter balance most or all of the moisture produced by modern living.

4. If you have a furnace humidifier or other humidity device in your home, be sure it is adjusted to produce the proper amount of humidity. In some cases, it's most appropriate to turn it off. The humidity produced elsewhere in your home may mean these devices are not needed.

5. Be sure that louvers in attic or basement crawl spaces are open and adequately sized.

6. Open the fireplace damper to allow an easier escape for moisture.

7. Install ceiling fans to keep air circulating within your home.

8. If troublesome condensation persists, see your heating contractor about an outside air intake for your furnace, venting gas burning heaters and appliances, or installation of ventilating fans.

Remember:

Reducing the humidity in your home you will eliminate condensation.