Such an unpleasant phenomenon as condensation on the windows appears at any time of the year due to the influence of various factors. Although metal-plastic and wooden crafts able to serve for many years, but still people are often faced with the appearance of drops on the glass, and then on the windowsill. It is important to understand the cause of this phenomenon and eliminate it. Why windows "cry" - described in the article.
Ice becomes water due to heating, and the opposite process occurs with decreasing temperature. It is called moisture condensation. Air with high temperature includes liquid in the form of vapor. The situation changes with cooling. Air cannot hold a lot of liquid, as it decreases in volume, and moisture remains in areas with a lower temperature.
Window glass is considered the coldest place in the house, since it borders the street, so condensation appears on it. With very low temperatures on the street it becomes icing. At first glance, it might seem that condensation is not dangerous. But with the frequent formation of liquid, construction products get wet, after which the rigidity of the structure is weakened and the formation of mold. Therefore, it is important to know why the windows in the house "cry", as well as how to fix it.
One of the important functions of windows is considered to be the protection of housing from freezing. But not all structures fulfill their purpose efficiently, since they are not operated according to the rules. Why do windows "cry"? There are the following reasons for this phenomenon:
There is another reason why windows cry. Moisture appears on the glass due to errors during the production of products, as well as inaccuracies during the installation of double-glazed windows. These reasons also apply to why they "cry" wooden windows.
Even after installing a new window, smudges on the glass and puddles on the windowsills often appear. Why "cry" plastic windows and what to do in this case? The main task is to normalize the indoor climate. It is necessary to reduce humidity and ensure heating of the inner glass (if the package is two-chamber).
First you need to check if the ventilation is working. The system must remove humid air. With clogging, it accumulates inside and then settles on the windows. Probably, there is dust, dirt inside the air conditioning system, which makes all the work difficult. It is not difficult to check the level of clogging - you need to bring a lighted match or lighter to the outlet. If the fire goes out or hesitates, then the ventilation works, otherwise it needs cleaning.
Over heating system, interferes with proper air circulation. This may also be one of the reasons why windows "cry". The required heat is not supplied to the structure, and when cooled, water appears on it.
This problem can be eliminated by reducing the window sill so that warm air from the battery is directed to the window. If possible, pull out the heating radiator. It is even more convenient to find another method of heating the window.
And "cry" because of the flowers? The presence of plants on the windowsill disrupts the normal. Green organisms fill the air with moisture, which causes fogging of the glass. If you remove the plants from the window, you will get rid of the condensation.
Why do plastic windows "cry" if the above factors are absent? All double-glazed windows have 2 operating modes - summer and winter. If you do not switch from one to the other in a timely manner, then condensation appears, since the inner side is very cooled.
Before the cold weather (in October or November), it is advisable to transfer the product to winter mode... Condensation often appears indoors, where the vents are rarely opened. In this case, it is necessary to air at least 15-20 minutes every day. This not only ensures a good air circulation, which protects against condensation, but also provides fresh air, which has a positive effect on breathing.
You can insulate the space around the window. It is advisable to work with drywall. This material has excellent thermal insulation properties. It is necessary to insulate the window slopes, the area under the windowsill, outer wall... The better the plasterboard finish is, the lower the risk of condensation. The increase in temperature in the house leads to insulation of the space near the window. These actions can be easily performed independently.
Although the installers of plastic windows are professionals, they still get errors. Oversights are also allowed by the residents of the premises where the designs are changing. In this case, you also need to know what to do. Why do windows sweat and cry? This is due to several reasons:
Poor quality structures need to be repaired or disposed of. Buyers should choose windows carefully. If the product will be installed inside rooms or on a loggia, it is necessary to purchase a two-chamber model. Products with 1 chamber are ideal for a room adjacent to a glazed balcony (since it does not need additional insulation).
For reasons of economy, many people choose thin glasses, but they do not adequately protect from the cold. In addition, condensation will appear on such products. When replacing plastic products with wooden ones, you need to prepare for changing the ventilation mode. PVC is a sealed material that is inside, and in the wood there are cracks through which air exchange is carried out.
If you compare the plastic and wooden construction, you can find one difference - the inner glass of the former has a lower temperature, so it condenses faster. Construction errors are as follows:
If you want to purchase a durable product, it is important to control all stages of window installation. Also, do not purchase a wide window sill. These are the main reasons why windows sweat and "cry". It is necessary to identify the cause of this phenomenon and eliminate it.
Wood allows air to pass through better, therefore, less condensation appears on such structures. But if fogging occurs, then in order to get rid of the problem, it is necessary to take into account how they were insulated. To normalize the microclimate in a room with double-glazed windows made of wood, you need to follow simple recommendations:
It should be borne in mind that wooden window products are better than PVC, as they form little moisture on the glass. Their surface structure transmits and distributes heat evenly.
Why windows "cry" and what to do in this case, are of interest to many people. This drawback can be eliminated by regular processing of products:
And here are some more tips:
It is important to control the state of the glass units, following the rules for stabilizing the microclimate. If you neglect the advice, then even on two-chamber and reliable structures, condensation appears in winter and at other times of the year. It is necessary to know not only why plastic windows "cry". How to deal with this is an important question. You need to follow the following guidelines:
As you can see, glasses can perspire for a variety of reasons. By following simple rules, it will be possible to get rid of condensation. Then the glasses will always be clean and beautiful.
Plastic windows do not require repair, when it rains, water does not flow between the sashes, it is easy for these structures to keep the glass clean.
But sometimes, during the operation of windows, one significant disadvantage appears. As soon as the outside temperature drops, droplets of condensation begin to collect on the glass surface in the room and the windows cry. Because of this, there is an accumulation of liquid on the windowsill, the humidity in the room increases, and fungus and mold may appear on the slopes.
If the windows begin to cry, and the glass fogs up, then this may indicate that the installation technology has been violated or the wrong design has been chosen. When installing, preference should be given to two-chamber or more double-glazed windows, which have a micro-ventilation system. A single-chamber double-glazed window, due to the occurrence of a large temperature gradient, will almost always lead to condensation on the window. It is equally important that the construction warranty extends over several years.
Therefore, when choosing plastic windows, you should choose a reliable manufacturer such as Rehau. This company was founded in Germany in 1948 and today has 170 branches in 53 countries around the world. Since 1995, it has been supplying its carbon fiber reinforced plastics and windows to the aerospace and automotive industries. Everyone knows the development of windshield and headlight washer systems, batteries for electric vehicles and various composite materials.
If you are confident in the quality installed window, then the reason for the condensation is high humidity indoor air and lack of ventilation. In addition, a hermetically sealed plastic window blocks air access, disrupting heat transfer.
It is not surprising that when the glass of the window in the room fogs up, many begin to wonder why this did not happen with the wooden structures in the apartment. Maybe the problem is plastic? If wooden windows were as tight as new plastic windows, they would also be covered with condensation droplets. The slots ensured the flow of air into the apartment and the presence of good ventilation in the room.
For the draft that removes dirty air in the house to be good, you need an influx of fresh air from the outside. This inflow is provided by ventilation shafts. Over time, the mines become clogged, and the air flow in the room, and therefore the air exchange, noticeably weakens.
Usually in all old houses there is a problem with the condition of the pipes in the basement and ventilation, which causes high humidity. At repair work: plaster, wallpapering, whitewashing, when protection from drafts is needed, the air humidity in the room rises several times, which contributes to the appearance of condensation. This problem goes away after it becomes possible to constantly ventilate the room.
Condensation in a room is influenced by many factors:
food preparation that occurs daily;
drying the washed laundry indoors;
taking a shower.
Therefore, ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom is especially important. Here, constantly high humidity is noted constantly, and from this plastic windows cry more often.
To quickly remove moisture, you can open plastic windows and arrange forced ventilation. To completely solve the problems, it is necessary to clean the ventilation shafts and adjust the draft. To establish normal ventilation, ventilation holes windows must be equipped check valve.
To prevent the plastic windows in the room from fogging up, the heating system batteries must be powerful and located strictly under the opening. The temperature in the apartment should be more than 20 degrees. The battery should not be installed deep under the windowsill. This will make it difficult for hot air to get to the window and lead to disruption of air exchange in the room. The vegetation that stands near the window and the aquarium with fish near the glass also become sources of moisture.
In addition, radiators should not be obstructed or hung with heavy curtains that block air access.
Warm air from the batteries should freely enter the plastic windows.
In winter, the window glass temperature drops significantly and the difference between it and room temperature is significantly different. With strong cooling of the window, a dew point arises, that is, the air near the glass of the window in the apartment can no longer absorb moisture and drops appear on the glass.
In addition, the higher the floor, the more the windows fog up. In this case, due to poor ventilation and lack of ventilation, warm and moisture-saturated air rises, falling instead of the street into the apartments of the upper floors.
To combat condensation, it is necessary to achieve an even distribution of humidity in the room. In this case, it is desirable that the air temperature in the house is at least 20 degrees, and the humidity is no more than 45%.
Other reasons why plastic windows cry should be eliminated. It is necessary to ventilate the house at least three times a day. In order to prevent freezing of slopes, it is better not to use in winter period micro-ventilation method. It is advisable to open the plastic windows completely. Airing time should be at least five to six minutes. At the same time, the temperature in the house will not drop much, and the moisture content in the apartment is minimized.
If plastic windows start to cry, you should:
increase the airing time;
reduce the moisture content in the room;
replace curtains with lighter ones;
control to ensure that optimum temperature air, which will remove the reasons for the increase in moisture in the house;
check and if necessary clean the ventilation shafts.
If the window continues to sweat, then seek the help of a specialist. An expert will pinpoint and eliminate the cause of fogging. Then the view from the window will not be clouded by droplets of condensation and the problem will disappear.
For reading 8 min.
Faced with the current window case, many believe that the window manufacturers or installers are to blame. They are partly right, but fogging most often indicates good tightness of plastic windows and reliable protection of the apartment from noise and cold.
Then what is the reason for the formation of moisture?
Long-term use of plastic windows in various weather conditions, allows you to highlight possible causes for moisture.
There are sources of humidity in any apartment. Some of them can lead to its increase to very high level... These primarily include:
In addition, the level of humidity affects health. Fortunately, the problem is solved very simply: just ventilate the room. It is better not to forget about this even in winter.
Check exhaust ventilation with fire. Highly common reason leading to the formation of condensation on the windows.
In an ordinary apartment, ventilation hoods are used in the toilet, bathroom and kitchen. Ventilation ducts are brought out to the roof of the building and are regularly serviced.
The reasons for the violation of ventilation can be:
In case of faulty ventilation, heat exchange in the apartment is disrupted. Warm air, touching cold glass, turns into condensation.
Houses built in Soviet time, had leaky windows, so there was air circulation in the apartment. Plastic windows sharply limited the air flow from the street, as a result, the humidity increases, which condenses on the windows.
Ventilation is greatly improved after the installation of exhaust fans.
If it doesn't work for you forced ventilation install an exhaust fan Cases when during redevelopment are not taken into account are not excluded. building codes for ventilation of the apartment. The consequences are observed on the glass windows.
In winter, the heating system has a great influence on the condition of the windows.
Thanks to convection, the air heated by the battery moves up, then moves along the ceiling, where it cools, and falls to the floor along the wall opposite from the battery.
As a rule, batteries are installed under windows, so moving warm masses heat the glass. It is known that humid air transforms into condensation after contact with a cold surface.
If the natural convection in the apartment is not disturbed, then the windows always remain dry.
Convection breakdown occurs for various reasons:
Read also: Step-by-step disposal of fungi and mold on the balcony
Moisture inside the glass is a sign of depressurization of the glass unit Spaced-mounted glass construction is standard insulating glass unit. A high sealing is created between the glasses, on which the internal state of the package depends. This design never fogs up from the inside thanks to the adsorbent that absorbs moisture during the manufacturing stage.
Only the destruction of the sealant with which the package is smeared around the perimeter leads to the ingress of moisture inside, and the glasses fog up.
During installation works first of all, the frame is attached, and then the package is installed on special gaskets. When performing this operation, special care is required.
You can change the sealing mode yourself with the help of the hexagon. There are two sealing modes for plastic windows: summer and winter versions.
In winter summer version the sashes are pressed against the frame less, so the thermal insulation is not high enough, which means that cold air is able to penetrate into a warm apartment. The window is fogging up.
To select the desired temperature regime, just use a wrench to adjust the eccentrics on the side of the sash.
Many mistakes made during the installation of windows do not appear immediately, but after a month or a year. These errors primarily include:
These errors lead to a violation of the temperature state of the glass units and, as a rule, to the appearance of condensation.
Poor installation - leads to sad consequences The easiest way to avoid leaking plastic windows is to ventilate, in which humidity and temperature are evenly distributed throughout the room.
V different conditions are selected different ways airing.
This is a function of the window design. It is enough to set the handle to the upper position, and the sash will move a short distance for free air access from the street.
The comb can be bought at a hardware store These are additional fittings that limit the sash tilt angle. The slope is selected in steps up to 60 degrees. A hook is used as a limiter, which is mounted on the frame.
it additional device which is mounted at the top of the frame. It is associated with the outside air and controls its entry into the room. The air supply is set in manual or automatic mode. The ventilation process is automatic, controlled by the humidity level in the room.
Other ways to prevent the current windows from appearing include:
Installing plastic windows, we spend a lot of money, while we hope to get warmth, comfort and beauty in the house as a result, especially when the cold season comes. But with the arrival of winter, the windows are suddenly covered with numerous droplets of moisture and you see that the plastic windows are crying, you don’t know what to do. As a result, unnecessary problems only appear: puddles form on the windowsill, dampness appears in the house, and sometimes even worse - mold and fungus on the slopes.
Even if you wipe the window dry very carefully, water will still appear on it, sometimes trickling down onto the new window sill, leaving streaks and small puddles. What can we say, the phenomena are very unpleasant.
Faced with a problem crying windows, many of us are starting to accuse the supplier-manufacturers of cheating. That is why it is worth first of all to dispel the myth of poor quality products. It’s a paradox, but nevertheless, the fact that plastic windows are leaking is a confirmation that they are installed in accordance with all the requirements: the windows are completely sealed and reliably protect your home from cold air entering. So how to understand why windows cry, what is the reason and how to deal with this problem?
There is a widespread belief that they only get wet, but this does not happen with wooden ones. This is not true. Any modern window at certain conditions(we will consider them a little below) cry, regardless of the material from which they are made - from wood or from plastic. Certainly wooden finnish windows, which have double frames, get wet less than, for example, single plastic or wooden euro windows. The reason for this lies not at all in the material of the binding, but in the fact that the two-frame structures are distinguished by higher thermal insulation properties.
Another example can be cited: the old Soviet wooden windows, unlike the plastic ones that are fashionable today, hardly leaked. However, this also has absolutely nothing to do with the material. If old windows are provided with high-quality seals in the vestibule, and all gaps between window frames and glass are removed, then these old windows will also begin to get wet, and even stronger than plastic ones. Why do plastic windows get wet? Why does condensation appear on them?
Condensation on windows is usually caused by a variety of reasons. The main reason is the increased humidity in the room. In winter, the temperature on the surface of the plastic window drops significantly and often reaches the dew point. Experts call this the temperature at which air, which has a certain initial temperature and relative humidity, can no longer absorb moisture. We face the dew point every day. For example, leaving the shower, you can see that the bathroom mirror is completely fogged up, or in winter, when you enter a warm room from the cold, glasses usually fog up immediately.
Why is there high humidity in the room? There are many reasons for this. Moisture is always released in the kitchen during cooking, drying and washing clothes, taking a shower or hot bath, using the toilet. Houseplants located on the windowsill or an aquarium in the room are also sources of moisture. The person himself, moreover, when breathing, usually gives off about 50 g of water per hour.
Often the reason why condensation on plastic windows is incorrect or faulty ventilation in the house. In apartments, ventilation systems are arranged in this way: an extractor hood in the bathroom or toilet, as well as in the kitchen. Over time, the hood can simply become clogged with debris, which often accumulates here, and fail. In addition, plastic windows have a very high degree of tightness, and this prevents outside air from entering the room. As a result, the heat exchange in the room changes dramatically - the stagnant air of the unventilated room comes into contact with the cooled glass of the window, on which condensation forms.
This problem is especially acute in rooms with increased activity. First of all, such rooms include the kitchen. It is here that many multifunctional household appliances it is also often located next to the bathroom. In such areas, it is clear why plastic windows are leaking.
Often, residents of the upper floors of houses face a problem, since dirty, humid air penetrates to them through openings from the apartments below. Of course, on the first floors, windows also often flow, since dirty air comes here from the basement or through the floor slabs. To avoid strong condensation on plastic windows, you just need to equip ventilation openings in the apartment with forced ventilation fans with a non-return valve. In fact, the houses that were built according to the SNiPs of the USSR are designed so that the air flow into the premises will be produced through the cracks in the windows (the principle of supply and exhaust ventilation). Sealed plastic windows practically do not allow air to pass through, which makes the natural flow of air impossible. Because of this, moisture accumulates in the apartment, which later falls out as condensation on PVC windows, and in severe frost, ice forms on the aluminum frame.
The central heating system plays a very important role in the condensation problem. Radiators must be in good working order and quite powerful. In another case, the apartment may have insufficient heat transfer and low temperature. Batteries must be kept strictly under the window. It should be borne in mind that heating radiators perform very important function- they heat the window opening. If you install too wide above the radiator, it can lead to difficulty in convection of warm air from the battery, and therefore, the moisture content will increase. Make sure that the radiators are not obstructed by foreign objects. Often, curtains and curtains in apartments touch the window sill, which is why a sufficient amount of warm air does not flow to the window opening.
The best way to resist the formation of condensation on plastic windows is to achieve an even distribution of humidity and air temperature in the room. According to sanitary and hygienic standards, the optimum air temperature should be at least twenty degrees Celsius, and the relative humidity should not be higher than 45%.
When the windows cry what to do with the room? Remember to air it regularly, at least three times a day. It should be noted that in winter, it is better not to use the micro-ventilation mode. To avoid freezing of window fittings, as well as hypothermia of the slopes, it is better to fully open the window for about 5-6 minutes. This time is enough to remove all excess moisture from the room, while the heat from the room will not have time to leave.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oak0zSRCzIQ Video can "t be loaded: Fighting Condensation on Plastic Windows (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oak0zSRCzIQ)
If you are only planning to install plastic windows, choose window frames with the thickest possible profile to reduce penetration. You will lose, or rather, you will not gain just a couple of centimeters of the window sill, but you will definitely have much less trouble. In addition, it is worth ordering a triple glazing rather than a double glazing. A double one with one more additional glass is also suitable. In this case, you will have absolute sound insulation, and the glass will not even be in forty-degree frost.
If you have already installed plastic windows, then the problem when the windows are leaking can be solved only with the help of forced ventilation... In other words, it is necessary to somehow organize air exchange in the window niche.
In winter, when it is very cold outside, put on the windowsill, as close to the glass as possible, several candlesticks with slowly burning candles. Thick decorative candles work best. For the whole winter, only a couple of candles for the window will be enough for you. The costs are quite small, but the result is very significant. Of course, it's not about the heat that you get when burning a candle, but about the convection of air that is formed during the combustion process. In addition, a candle is very useful for plants on the windowsill, since it drives carbon dioxide for them, and, as you know, for indoor flowers it is a favorite delicacy.
If there are no plants on the windowsill, and you are a lover of witty technical solutions and love to craft something with your own hands, then try to make convection screens. These are such narrow plates that transport warm air from the radiator to the window niche. The plate should be fixed at an angle of 30-60 degrees to the windowsill. This will force some of the warm air towards the glass. If you show your imagination, then such screens can easily be made an original decor item. It should be noted that this is a rather laborious method.
Almost all homes have fans. As a rule, they only work 3-4 months a year when it is hot. But during the cold season, they can be used again for their intended purpose, because in the window niche you just need to create any movement of air. Therefore, you can simply set the minimum blowing rate and, if possible, set the fan in such a way that it blows several windows at the same time.
Buy any aerosol anti-fogging agent used in car windows to keep them dry at a car care store. Treat apartment glasses with such an aerosol. Remember to thoroughly wash and dry the window first, and then apply an anti-fogging agent. This will slightly lower the dew point of the glass. True, this method cannot fundamentally solve the problem. In addition, such aerosols are quite expensive and contain many specific chemical compounds and substances.
Apply a thin conductive film or foil around the perimeter of the window and apply a low voltage (approximately 12-24 volts) to it. It will warm up that part of the window that is most susceptible to freezing. In other words, make electrically heated glass like in a car.
So, if you carefully ensure that the technology for installing plastic windows is fully observed, choose a high-quality design, and then constantly monitor the level of humidity in the apartment, then you will definitely never see excess moisture flowing through your plastic windows again.
If you are installing a plastic window, be prepared for the fact that with the onset of cold weather it will often fog up. Plastic windows are flowing - this is exactly the problem the owners of PVC structures turn to to the companies where they were purchased. As a rule, the dialogue boils down to indignation: "You sold a poor-quality product, the previous (wooden) windows did not cause us so many problems, please, rectify the situation." A person may not even guess why plastic windows are leaking - he blames the company in which he made the purchase for everything. This is not entirely correct. There are many reasons why condensation builds up on a product. Why do windows cry - we will answer this question. In addition, from this article you will learn how to deal with this phenomenon on your own. You will be convinced that repairing plastic windows with your own hands is possible.
To begin with, you need to destroy the long-established stereotype that wooden windows do not sweat and this is a problem exclusively for plastic products. Any modern design with a glass unit, regardless of the material from which it is made, it lends itself to "sweating" under certain conditions. It should be noted that single windows are more susceptible to this than double windows. This is due to the fact that double-frame products have an increased thermal insulation coefficient. Since PVC products are mostly single-frame, condensation accumulates on the plastic window faster.
On the other hand, it may seem that the material plays a primary role - wooden structures even during the Soviet era, they practically did not sweat, in contrast to modern plastic ones. However, not everything is so simple here either. If the old windows had a good seal in the narthex, and even had no gaps between the frames and the glass, they would sweat no worse than PVC products. Plastic structures are reliably sealed. As a result of their installation, the warm air in the apartment does not escape to the street, as this would happen with the old windows. As a result, humidity in the room increases. Hence, condensation appears on the plastic window. Let's take a closer look at the reasons why windows cry.
Of course, this phenomenon should be combated, since humidity also negatively affects other factors besides the formation of moisture on the glass. For example, a fungus forms in a room, which has a negative effect on building materials and even on human health. In addition, the fungus can cause an even more active appearance of condensation on the plastic window.
The dew point is nothing more than the temperature to which the air is cooled, followed by saturation with water vapor at a given humidity and constant pressure. As soon as the dew point is reached, water vapor condenses in the air itself or on objects in contact with it. If the relative humidity is less than 100%, the dew point will remain below the air temperature and the lower the relative humidity, the lower its temperature will be. At 100% humidity, the actual air temperature will coincide with the dew point.
The image below shows the surface temperature with maximum accuracy at atmospheric pressure which is normal (762 mm Hg). Condensation will form on such a surface at a known air temperature and relative humidity:
Everything here is outrageously simple. If the window fogs up, just open it for 10-15 minutes to ventilate. When you close it, you will find that all the condensation has disappeared. The reason for this lies in the physics textbook for the eighth grade. At a given temperature, the air can contain a strictly defined amount of steam. For example, in a steamed bath at t = + 80 ° C, the steam content exceeds its amount in dry air by tens of times. When the window is opened, the humid air in the room is replaced with dry air from the outside. As soon as the temperature drops to normal limits (~ 20 ° С), the relative humidity of the air decreases and the condensate disappears.
Optimal conditions for residential premises - relative humidity 40% -50% at a temperature of 19-24 ° C. If a similar regime is maintained in the room, you will be able to avoid the appearance of condensation on the slopes, frame or the glass unit itself. Least of all, the increased humidity in the room depends on the vital activity of a person - the main factor affecting it is poor-quality air exchange. In other words, in a well-ventilated room, the likelihood of condensation on the windows is rapidly reduced to zero.
