interior window moisture

Originally Posted By: Douglas Plummer
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Hi! I have a question. Is there some way to check if a new vinal framed window is leaking? Just alittle background info. New windows in a new condo. Interior moisture is so bad it drips off the window like a tap dripping. It’s causing the bottom window trim to warp. Interior temp is 70F,RH 60% & it’s freezing outside. I’ve left bathroom & kitchen exhaust fans on. Yes, they vent outside. When the windows finally dry, there is still a 1" moisture film around the entire window. The builder says there is no problem. Thanks for any help you can provide. DOUG


Originally Posted By: kbliss
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Douglas,


Is the window a single or a double pane, “insulated or not”. If it is not an insulated window it will sweat in cold weather.


Kurt Bliss


Originally Posted By: jburnell
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Douglas


The inside humidity is too high there is a good article at http://www.simonton.com/architect/glass/condensation/ about vinyl windows


John


Originally Posted By: psabados
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Hey Douglas


I agree with John. 70 degrees and 60%RH is way to high. With the furnace running with exterior temps in the 30's RH probably get much over 30-35%.

Sounds almost like a humidifier running constantly. Did the furnace have a humidifier installed? If it does, need to observed the operation.

Also is the 60%RH through out the house or just in one area or room

Paul


Originally Posted By: David Smith
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If the building is newly constructed the building materials take time to dry out. The first home I built had a similar problem and I installed a air exchanger with heat recovery which helped for the first winter. After that first winter the air exchanger was not needed to keep the windows dry.


If there are no other obvious reasons for the high humidity try a dehumidifier and wiping off the humidity every morning till the building has completely dried out…


Something to check is that insulation was installed between the rough opening in the wall and the window frames.


Do the other units in the cono have the same problem?



David Smith


Professional Building Inspections

Originally Posted By: Larry L Leesch
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It sounds to me that the home is equiped with a heat pump or electric heat. These heat systems do not remove any humidity from the interior envelope. Cooking, hot baths, etc. creates lots of moisture and todays homes are extremely tight. Some builders have implemented a fresh air intake with these systems to creat a positive pressure in the home which pushs the moisture out and also alievates the drop in pressure when the fan unit first starts up. Additional info can be had at www.buildingscience.com. It’s a great site to view some of the cutting edge technology in new construction.


Originally Posted By: rsonneson
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Are there heavy blinds or mini blinds that are closed all the time? In cold climates with new construction if people constancly have shades or curtains closed in winter months the window get no air flow and moisture can build up.


Originally Posted By: ekartal
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Hi Doug,


If they are double pane windows be sure to check for trapped moisture too.

Erol Kartal
ProInspect


Originally Posted By: Douglas Plummer
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Hey Guys! Thanks for your quick response. In answer to your questions. RH 60% is throughout condo. There are 16 units affected. The window are insulated thermal panes. It is gas heated from the hotwater tank with a air handler unit in the crawl space. Foundation is poured concrete with blue spray foam insulation applied to walls. Concrete floor. There appears to be no fresh air exchange in the crawl space. The windows with the most interior moisture are the ones with the vertical blinds closed. I’ve temp. installed a Drieaz dehumidifier to help, it doesn’t do much for the decor, oh well, my honey will have to live with it for awhile. Thanks again DOUG


Originally Posted By: Rusty Rothrock
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Douglas -


I don't get much of a chance to view / or respond to the message board that often because of my heavy inspection work load. Had some time this morning to cruise the message board a little and I ran across your humidity problem.

All of the previous comments are correct, you obviously have too much humidity inside your condo. You didn't mention if you have a humidifier unit hooked up to your heating system. It sounds like you have a forced air Aquatherm type unit (using hot water from the gas hot water tank). If you do have a humidifier, it should be set at 25-30% during the heating season. I tell my clients that when they start to see condensation on the windows to turn back their humidifier a little.

It does take time for humidity to dissipate in a new house, all the paint, all the wood, the sheetrock, everything has moisture in it. But the biggest thing that nobody has mentioned is all the concrete in your unit which takes a very long time to cure. My parents bought a condo in Florida many years ago and had a humidity problem as well. This condo had poured concrete walls, floors, and ceilings. In their case it was some 6-8 months after moving in before the humidity problem finally disappeared. I don't know how much concrete you have but this is a major source of releasing humidity into the air. It just takes a long time for concrete to cure.

Hope this helps you some. Have a wonderful Holiday Season.

Rusty Rothrock
Richmond, VA


Originally Posted By: dplummer
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Hi Guys! Just wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful tips. To bring you all up to date. It’s been about 5 months since we moved into our new condo. Inside temp is still 70F RH has dropped to 45%. Things are much better. As the building is starting to dry out I’ve noticed some cracking in the drywall ceiling/wall area. Builder says he will repair later when the building finishes drying. Thanks again for all your suggestions, it really helped. DOUG