What is Condensation and What Can You Do?
Each year, the arrival of winter brings cold weather and questions about condensation with it. The cold air brings moisture which may form as condensation on your window.
The first reaction may be to blame the windows, yet the windows are not to blame, in fact, the condensation is a sign that they are doing their job very well. They are keeping the cold air out and the warm air in…the perfect environment for condensation to form.
But the condensation can still be irritating and in extreme cases, damaging.
What Causes Condensation?
Condensation is caused by excessive water vapor in the air, the temperature of the air and air circulation or movement. When you see condensation it is a sign that there is too much water vapor, humidity in your home.
So what is to be done?
Control Relative Humidity- Make sure that the home is properly vented- Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to remove excess moisture from the home- Make sure the basement or crawl space is properly sealed or protected from ground moisture- Ventilate the attic and crawl spaces to promote evaporation- Ventilate all appliances to the outside, not the attic or crawl space
Maintain Good Air Temperature – Make sure that your heating system is working effectively and efficiently
Install a dehumidifier
Open windows and doors occasionally to allow interior moisture to escape
You have just made an important investment in your home, new windows and doors that will give you years of maintenance free, trouble free enjoyment. Here are some helpful care tips to get the most out of them!
You should take care to wash your windows at least once a year but really, twice a year is better. This will help protect them against common, environmental conditions that can be harmful over time. Common things like pollen, dirt, debris, to name a few.
So what should you do? It is as easy as 1-2-3!
Remove dirt and debris – use a vacuum cleaner to remove all loose dirt and debris from around your window.
Wash & Rinse – using a mild soap and water, gently wash all surfaces around your window. Once washed, rinse thoroughly, leaving no soap on the window surface.
Dry – Finally, using a soft, absorbent cloth remove any excess water from the window surface.
Care and Maintenance for Your New Windows and Doors
