Looking for Cheap Way to Deal w/ Drafty, Wet, and Freezing Windows

[IngaAnne]

This winter, our windows have suddenly become a big problem. They've always been somewhat drafty, but this winter they are getting a lot of condensation inside the house. This is causing some of the windows to freeze shut and form mold around the frame. When it was down in the single digits recently, there was a sheet of ice on the worst of the them. The window in my bedroom was so wet today, the shade was dripping water when I opened it. All of these windows were probably replaced in the 1980s, so they are older but double-pane and Pella brand. I've been out of work for awhile, with my EU benefits about to run out, so replacing the windows is not an option. I'm concerned that all the water and freezing will damage the windows further, creating even more problems. What is an inexpensive way to reduce or stop the condensation on the interior glass of the window? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[babygirlie]

I'm not a contractor so I would wait for more replies. I would get a calking gun and outdoor calk and on a day it wasn't raining get all the seems done outside. And then I would buy that suran wrap for windows stuff :P  It's a plastic roll that you stick up over your window (for you I would do it on the outside) and then you take a hair dryer and it will shrink to fit snugly.

[woodchick]

We have wicked condensation issues in our house.  I think it is because we keep our inside temperature pretty low (60).  Are you keeping the house colder this year than last? Especially since you're out of work?

This winter DH bought a couple of small 'air circulation' fans and we have been running them at night, and sometimes during the day. They really seem to be helping quite a bit with the condensation issue.

The fans were pretty cheap at Target.

Hope that helps!

[texmama]

I would caulk around the outside of all the windows.  We had condensation problems the last couple of years; we caulked all the windows this fall and so far this winter, no condensation.

[mattemma04]

I agree with caulk and cover.

[jimblejamble]

I've got the same problem.

[matey]

We had the same issues with our old windows. We bought new windows with my cashed out retiement money. Even so, we still get a little condensation here and there. We had a weatherzation team come out (available in our area for low income homes) and the caulked everything. It has seemed to really help with drafts and condensation. So, I say CAULK!

[bodhitree]

Shrink-wrapping your windows with the plastic film does really help with the condensation. I do mine every year, and I notice a big difference between all the windows that are shrink-wrapped and the one window that I can't do (because the tape won't stick to the wallpaper in that room).

[matey]

We have also done plastic on the outside. Just to windows on the back of the house because it doesn't look too pretty. We used a roll of plastic sheeting, cut to fit, and stapled it to the window frame. I know someone who does this on his rental houses and uses some type of thick black strips to cut down on air pockets between staples. It also makes it look nice, cuts down on damage to the frame from the staples and makes for easy removal.

I also periodically wipe the windows and then use white vinegar to help eliminate mold issues.

[Wild Lupine]

I'm not sure if this counts as 'cheap,' but it is certainly less expensive than replacing windows. Most of our windows are covered with insulated curtains. It cuts down on drafts and saves heating costs. Our windows are horribly drafty and the insulated curtains make a huge difference. We got our online at the Bed and Bath Store, but I think places like Target also have them; I'm not sure how the prices compare. You can also find thermal liners that pin onto regular curtains.

[nd_deadhead]

I'll offer another vote for putting plastic over the windows (on the inside). It will help with both condensation and drafts. You can get off brands, but I highly recommend spending more on 3M brand - the tape is better, and it shrinks better.

The bigger problem, however, is the amount of moisture in the house. This was a problem for us too - our bathrooms do not have exhast fans, and we have 2 large fish tanks in the house, so our humidity level is too high. This year we finally installed an exhaust fan in the upstairs bathroom (on a timer, so it runs for an hour after someone takes a shower). It has made a huge difference in the humidity level in the house.

[SleeplessMommy]

We have the same older Pellas. Installing weatherstripping was very effective in cutting down drafts. Hardware store will have everything you need. After that, install plastic OR cordless cellular blinds.... we have done the latter.

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by bodhitree 

Shrink-wrapping your windows with the plastic film does really help with the condensation. I do mine every year, and I notice a big difference between all the windows that are shrink-wrapped and the one window that I can't do (because the tape won't stick to the wallpaper in that room).

yep. We're in Alaska, and there is a very noticeable difference between rooms that have the plastic film or those that don't. (Most people up here use it) I am certain that the heating bill difference is enough to pay for what the plastic costs.

[IngaAnne]

Thanks for all the replies. 

We are keeping the house a few degrees cooler this winter (68F). The shades on the worst windows are thermal and kept shut most of the time. This is cutting down on the draft, but I it's also trapping the cold against the window with the moisture. The windows without shades have very little condensation. 

The front of our house faces north, which is of course the worst of the windows. Unfortunately, I don't want to put wrap on the outside for the reason. I've heard of issues with removing the wrap from the inside of windows damaging paint. Have any of you had this problem?

With the caulking ... Are you just caulking around the outermost frame? I'm sure we need to do this, but a lot of the draft is also coming from the joints of the operable portions of the windows. Sleeplessmommy, would the weather stripping you're referring to work in these areas?

I guess a trip to the hardware store is in order!

[Jane]

We get a bunch of the plastic film on sale at end of season - that doesn't help you now, but you can stock up. 

We have single pane alumnium and they are very drafty.  We've made wood frames that stick in each window, then we shrink wrap those with plastic.  The tape was taking the paint off the walls otherwise. 

[IngaAnne]

Thanks for the additional input, Jane.

I've realized why we are suddenly having these windows issues this year. We had both furnaces replaced (split system for both levels of the house) and now have a functioning humidistat. It was set at the recommended setting, but I turned it down to see if it improves the situation. It won't solve the drafty window issue, but I'd love to not have puddles of water everywhere.

[SleeplessMommy]

Here is an article from Canada. The weatherstripping I placed was at location "C" in the diagram. I used thin strips of closed-cell foam.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/windows-doors/weatherstripping.cfm?attr=4

Here is an even better illustration:

Removeable (putty) weatherstripping is also available at Lowes/Home Depot. If you can still feel a draft after you install the weatherstripping, go with the putty. :-)

One more very important step: weatherstrip and insulate your attic access: