Hi guys, I have a house with a shower enclosure built in front of a window covering the window on the inside. From the outside, you can see the window with insulation in front of it and some condensation on the window pane. I have never encountered this scenario before and would like some input on presenting this to my client in my report.
Welcome Christian! A picture would really help us here in what you are describing.
So what! There is no doubt that your client is aware of the situation. Keep in mind that the purpose of your inspection is to identify issues that would have a detrimental affect on the VALUE of the home. I have seen issues like this lots of times. Bathroom renovations covering a window is no issue at all.
Cheers
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Deserves to be in the WTF Picture of the Day thread… 
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That’s the issue right there. That condensation may saturate materials and promote damage as well as fungal or never say mold type growth.
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Was the condensation inside the window? Since they covered the window, did the bathroom reno include a ventilation fan?
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Those are my concerns as well. I also believe the insulation is improper for this type of application. And there is no mold-resistant drywall behind the insulation, either.
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Yes, it was on the insulation side of the window. The bathroom did have an exhaust fan in it.
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I would call it out if it were me. I do not want water in places that are not accessible and cannot dry out.
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But is the window locked from the inside?? 
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I see it occasionally. Just write up your observations and what may possibly occur. Condensation observed may promote fungal growth and wall board/insulation decay.
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Like Brian, I would call it out as well.
From my seat here in Ohio it looks like sub-standard workmanship, and if you can see moisture on the inside, that’s a problem that will only get worse with time. it almost looks like they tried to cover the window with a cheap plastic garbage bag that’s deteriated.
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Hack handyman butchered bathroom re model. Recommend hiring actual contractor for repair options and cost estimates…
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Everyone knows that plumbers don’t remove windows…anybody got some window film?..
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You can always cut out the surround for the window. Frosted safety glass still lets in light maintains privacy. Flash and finish as if you were outside, PVC board for trim. Been there done that.
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My question is: Did the owner install a bathroom exhaust fan that vents to the outside? And, did he install a timer-switch so the fan would run for one hour after each time he uses the shower?
That’s the trigger. Write it up.
The window is unlikely to be airtight since they probably didn’t caulk it up before doing the tub surround. On one hand, it might dry out quickly with air circulation, but on the other hand, moist air being drawn in is condensing (some days worse than what you saw) and that water might drain into the framing and promote mold and worse.
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From what i can see that appears to only be a storm window installed.
Most likely the case.
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There are problems, as you have pointed out you already “see” condensation. The Black Plastic is a Vapor Barrier that is not installed on the heated side…You can almost bet that moisture is saturating the wood studs between the shower enclosure and the plastic. I’m going to bet that water/condensate that is continually forming on the cold glass is dripping down below the window area…probably a real wet mess directly below the window…I’m surprised the Flipper didn’t paint over the glass with black paint to hide what you can See.
And…That black silhouette in the window looks like a scene from a Movie (but not the soft curves of Janet Leigh in Psycho…nor “the soft glow of electric sex”)…definitely something evil lurking there.
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