moisture in the house

springhead

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
184
hi all,tring to help a friend, a girl friend of mine has condesation and moisture on all of the windows in her house, u know the look on the bathroom window after taking a shower. any help much appreiciated
 

ob

Admiral
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Re: moisture in the house

It is seasonally normal for this to occur in certain locations when the A/C is no longer being run as often and thus the space is not dehumidified.That coupled with the ambient outdoor temp in contact with the window glass reaches 'dew point' inside and will attract the indoor air moisture and deposit it on the window glass.Either periodically cycle 'on' the A/C to remove the residual moisture occasionally or invest in a de-humidifier.Towels set on the window sills will also prevent woodwork or paint damage.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,750
Re: moisture in the house

Check for any source of the additional moisture, leaks in roof, windows or plumbing<br />.<br />It has to be coming from somewhere.<br />Always use exhaust fans in bathroom while showering, kitchen when cooking, and laundry area while washing. The burning of natural and lp gas will also release suprisingly large amounts of moisture into the home, if it is not vented properly. Don't use those silly "energy saver" clothes drier gadgets that vent the air into the home.<br /><br />Newer construction and the emphasis on saving energy, have created homes that do not breath and allow the exchange of inside air for outside air. Any cool or cold spots will become wet with condensation. Outside walls in closets or behind furniture where there is no circulation will get wet and start to mold and mildew. Also of concern is any carpeted area with concrete underneath.<br /><br />I have seen new apartment/condos that vented the shower fan into the dead space between floors, causing water damage to the apartment above. Also seen clothes and shoes molded after only 4 months on the floor of a carpet over concrete floored closet.<br /><br />Have also seen holes/cracks in window frames, walls, and roofs, that leaked water into the wall cavity. Then the moisture finds its way into the living area.<br /><br />Gotta find any sources, and vent out the moisture and humidity.<br />May need to call in a professional.<br />Might want to start with the local power company, and have them come out and do an energy audit.
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: moisture in the house

I manage some apartments the Boss owns right mext to the shop, Its everything I can do to make people understand, "AIR OUT, AIR IN". You have to run the exhaust fans like rosco says, and he has the right Idea. Open a window just a crack, new homes are too tight and dont allow any air in, mostly the cause is creating a vacume. I installed timers in all the apartments with instructions to let the fan run for 30 minutes after they leave for work, If they follow my instructions, there is no moisture on the windows, but people now daus just dont seem to care. :mad:
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: moisture in the house

A dehumidifier will work best but you can get a great deal of help from leaving a ceiling fan on for a while every day.Keep the bathroom door closed during and especially after a shower and open the window or leave on an fan/vent until the humid condition in the bathroom has exited the window.Charlie
 

dhammann

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
299
Re: moisture in the house

Sometimes this is just a short term problem during the transitional period from summer to winter. The dew point should continue to drop as we head into winter. Use caution with any type un-vented heat (gas logs,kerosene heaters, candles,gas space heaters) they produce water as a by-product. One gallon of propane gas will put about 2.3 gallons of water in your house! On an average house that would be about 200 gallons per month!!!
 

springhead

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
184
Re: moisture in the house

thank you all, we will be using some of the advise here, i will check for proper ventillation<br />and get another dehumidifier, it is an old house and it does do this when the weather changes in the fall, but last thru the winter, thank
 

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: moisture in the house

Don't you need some moisture in your house? Being too dry is hard on plants and animals.<br /><br />I have found putting small fans on the windows will keep them dry. Keeping a ceiling fan on also helps keep the moisture in the air instead of collecting on objects. Even try just running your blower on your hvac unit. You do need to bring in fresh air outside occassionally to exhaust the bad stuffy stuff.
 

BoatBuoy

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
4,856
Re: moisture in the house

If the house has a crawl space, the ground needs to be covered with 6 mil polyethelene plastic. Even though the ground may seem dry, moisture is constantly leaving it and may be traveling into the house. Check the gutter downspouts to make sure they are emptying away from the house and check the cloths dryer to make sure it's being vented to the outside.
 

chuckz

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
625
Re: moisture in the house

If this is an old house and you don't have new windows, you are going to have condensation on the windows. If the glass is cold to the touch or if you've ever seen frost on the inside of the windows during the winter, you need new windows. The windows are uninsulated. You might want to invest in new windows for energy savings. Getting rid of the condensation is a side benefit.<br /><br />If you get static electric shocks during the winter, too much moisture is not your problem. Static electricity builds up when the air is too dry. SS Mayfloat got it right, you want some humidity. It makes you feel warmer and helps you breathe easier.
 

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: moisture in the house

agree with chuck. chances are you don't have the problems others explained, just old, uninsulated windows. replace the windows and problem is solved. if that is not an option, go with the others' recommendations.
 

Snookster

Seaman
Joined
Nov 20, 2004
Messages
54
Re: moisture in the house

Springhead - these guys have all given you some pearls of wisdom. Keep in mind it's not the moisture you see that is of concern --- it's the moisture you don't see running down the inside on the walls... ever seen a house with rotted base boards or rusty carpet tack strip? - <br /><br />Take control of all the varibles or you're wasteing your time & money. Go to Building science.com - you'll get all the facts. Then buy an Aprilaire model 1700, restore the home to 2-10 pascals positive pressure - you'll be in like Flint.<br /><br />Dave B.
 

ED21

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
829
Re: moisture in the house

Also check that any gas fired equipment like a water heater is venting properly. A potentialy deadly condition could exist.
 
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