Condesation issues

[GomiGirl]

Thought I would put this out to the board as there are some fairly handy DIY people here.

Given the cold weather, I am having some issues with condensation pooling on my window sills and causing mold. I have lots of windows/glass doors so the heat differential between inside and outside is causing a build-up of water along the window sills.

Any suggestions on products that can counter this issue, collect the water or otherwise combat the mold issue?

[Coligny]

Humidity removal device thingymabob sold in summer... A bit noisy but make heat as a side effect. Electric heater are also known to dessicate the air...

BUT... winter in Japan should be dry. Here in Toyohashi it's 20% if I'm not carefult and I have to dump bucket of water every days in the server room to keep a miserable 35%. The cat are walking thunderstorms and I have to ground every electric equipment to avoid being shocked out of counsciouseness at every use...

In Nagoya, it was 90% all year long... black mold... my french cat got sick... like life threatenning sick...

So... give us the numbers for humidity in your shack... but with a baby... the best I think would be to GTFO...

[Sa_Race]

I'll leave this here : http://www.accessj.com/2010/11/insulating-japanese-house-for-winter.html

Kerosene heaters are a part of the problem as they release water vapor. So if you're using one, switching to an electric heater or HVAC unit will be better as Coligny said.

[Mike Oxlong]

http://www.airdetectives.ca/window_mould.html

Mould growth is common whenever an organic food source (something derived from a plant or animal, such as paper, wood, and cardboard) comes in contact with moisture for any extended period of time. In order to control mould growth, it is necessary to control either the food source or the moisture source. The following are some suggestions for controlling the food and moisture sources on window surfaces to help to limit the development of mould growth...

[Bucky]

If you have aluminum clad window (window frames made of aluminum) they can be the problem. We replaced all of our old windows with vinyl clad (vinyl framed) windows and that did away with all of our condensation problems. It wasn't a cheap fix though. We spent $23,000 replacing all of the windows in our home.

[Doctor Stop]

Any suggestions on products that can counter this issue, collect the water or otherwise combat the mold issue?

Knocking out the windows would work, as would washing them occasionally.

[jingai]

I do some residential energy conservation for work.

It sounds like you have a water vapor problem, so I'd try to address that first. Where is the excess moisture coming from? The suggestion above of an unvented space heater is a good one. Do you dry clothes on indoor drying racks? What about bathrooms (esp. showers) without exhaust fans or with fans that don't vent outside (ahem)? For most homes you should be able to control the moisture by simply not producing as much or by that plus ventilation (exhaust fans in strategic areas.)

You can control condensation on windows by going to double-paned ones ($$$), installing interior storm windows ($$), or taping plastic sheets around your window frame ($), but this just masks the symptoms and isn't going to reduce mold in other places if you're also getting condensation on your walls.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I recommend moving to a country where the housing is built to a decent standard.

[Coligny]

I recommend moving to a country where the housing is built to a decent standard.

+1

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[tidbits]

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/royal3000/a983/?force-site=pc I am not sure how effective this kind of sheet that you stick on the glass, (anyone here use these before?) but it is not that costly to give a try if you want. I saw this product recently in those shopping catalog they place outside family restaurant (like bellemaison), but I think you can get it from homecentre.

There is not much one can do to the house if one is renting. And I still think it's important is to open all windows everyday, dry the place and let the air ventilate a while..

[TennoChinko]

Here are two online tips for possibly reducing interior window condensation:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5783326_prevent-condensation-interior-windows.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4701314_reduce-condensation-windows.html

They recommend you look at the factors others have cited: reducing humidity in the air, making sure the indoor ambient temperature is not too low, and increasing indoor ventilation ... opening windows during the day if necessary. Other options like increasing insulation on the windows might not be a practical option especially if you rent.

A third site includes two possible solutions I did not think of before:

http://homerepairgeek.com/home-window-repair/condensation-on-windows/condensation-on-windows.html

1. Applying a windshield treatment like Rain-X onto your interior windows.
2. Window film treatments from 3M (not sure but probably available at a DIY store)

[Coligny]

opening windows during the day if necessary.

BRILLIANT...

Might as well live in cardboard boxes under a bridge...

[Mike Oxlong]

BRILLIANT...

Might as well live in cardboard boxes under a bridge...

Hey!! Find another place to make a home. That one's taken!:drunk:

[Coligny]

Fighting the condensation on the windows is like your generic medical approach in japan... Treating the symptoms instead of the disease...

If there is mold on the windows, you can be sure that north walls will also grow mold between the concrete and drywall. (coldest walls, coldest room, so the most heated... so even more condensation...)

[GomiGirl]

Thanks to everybody for the replies.

The humid-o-meter says the room is about 50% humidity. We have a heap of big picture windows and floor to ceiling glass with aluminium window frames. The apartment building is about 20 years old and has carpet throughout. We don't use kero heaters and use the ceiling inset aircons if we need to. The bedroom (north side of the building) we have set to 20oC and this is where the biggest issue is - ie water on the windows. It forms on the inside of the glass and then just runs down and pools at the bottom. I mop it up most mornings and it soaks up a handtowel's worth.

As we are renting we can't put in double glazing as much as I would want it.

I like the idea of the window shield things but the pattern is a bit vile - fake lace is not really my taste.

During summer we run a dehumidfier but not during winter. It is only the window that are the problem and not the rest of the room.

I was just wondering if other people have this problem and what they did about it.

[Coligny]

50 % is actually not much of a problem...

Running a dehumidifier would be overkill...

You'ze left with (maybe) venting and stick on isolation...

I had to fight against water dripping literally from the walls and soaking the electric plugs. Black mold eating throught the wood and wallpaper mold growing on the curtains.

In fact, 50% is in the comfort zone for Hooman beings reducing it would not be benefical. It's actually a case were you treat the symptoms...

[Sa_Race]

Ok, 50% humidity is fine. There's nothing much you can do other than trying some insulation, this is simple physics : hot air containing vapor hit a cold surface, boom dew point, problems ensue. Seriously, bubble wrap the windows and insulate the frames.

[Russell]

Ok, 50% humidity is fine. There's nothing much you can do other than trying some insulation, this is simple physics : hot air containing vapor hit a cold surface, boom dew point, problems ensue. Seriously, bubble wrap the windows and insulate the frames.

Anyone knows whether window frame isolation is sold in home centers? Bubble wrap does not count for aesthetic reasons, but are there foam strips of say 5mm thick available?

[damn name]

Home centers sell an absorbent tape made for this. Believe it or not, tens of millions of families have the same problem.

You apply the tape to the bottom of the window or sliding door. The sponge tape absorbs the condensation and dries during the day, ready to absorb more the next night.

Just go to the home center and tell them about your windows, someone will show you the tape. It usually comes in a variety of colors. It should last you throughout the winter if you start with a clean, dry surface with no mold. I take it off and put fresh every winter. It's cheap.

[Coligny]

Yeah, but japanese in general are not exactly good at problem solving...

Be extra carefull aboot isolation self taping foam. One kind, dirt cheap looking like the foam used to wrap automotive wiring to avoid rattling noise, is pure evil, falling to dust after 2 year and impossible to clean...

Also be ready to fight in the hardware store... Young clerck don't know shit, older guys are most of the time worthless too. I nearly punched one when I asked for some paste wallcrack filler (in fact, me bitch asked him, by describing that we had small cracks on the wall needed to be smoothed before painting) the guy told us it didn't exist and we should call a professionnal (to put the product... that didn't exist...). Before reaching boiling point I left them... went to some 50yo female clerk who was not looking easily impressible... described my problem with gesture and drawings... didn't have time to finish before she guided me to the proper aisle wiht all the type of filler available asking me if it was for wood, drywall or concrete... When I came back with my stuff me bitch was still trying to communicate with the previous goon... (and getting dangerously close to boiling point too...)

[Coligny]

SIDENOTE:

Somebody got a wabsite for local twinpane windows maker ?

[tidbits]

..I like the idea of the window shield things but the pattern is a bit vile - fake lace is not really my taste.

During summer we run a dehumidfier but not during winter. It is only the window that are the problem and not the rest of the room.

I was just wondering if other people have this problem and what they did about it.

http://review.rakuten.co.jp/item/1/201994_10000397/1.1/?tpl=1 They do have the plain type. In the previous link I sent they claim that the lace design won't give you air bubble problem, in case you don't stick it properly.

I had similar problem long time ago. I tried to lift/ raise the curtain and even put a small fan blowing on the window (while out) help a lot.

I wonder if placing old newspaper at the bottom and replace it daily helps in lessen the wiping task? Or place those swimmer's towel, either at the bottom at the rail, or just wet it just enough to stick it on the glass to let it absorb the condensation (those towel that absorb lots of water -beside sport shop, car accesories shop sells big size of those towel, even 100 yen shop sell it but in small size). But these are just stuff that I imagine I might try if I am facing these same problem, not sure how well is the idea though, and it is still a daily task anyway.

[GomiGirl]

[quote="damn name"]Home centers sell an absorbent tape made for this. Believe it or not, tens of millions of families have the same problem. ]

This is exactly the sort of solution I was hoping to hear about. Anyone got a photo of a packet of this stuff or what the Japanese would be...

hhmmm home centre. The only one I know of near here would be Tokyu Hands. There is a Shimachu in Honancho that I sometimes go to but here in the city, DIY is not big in the local shops.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

Had a problem in our previous place with the north facing window that stretched the whole width of the apartment. Lack of light makes it hard. You can spray the windows to reduce the condensation a little but you will still need to crack the windows open to get some air through as early as possible.

[damn name]

Yeah, but japanese in general are not exactly good at problem solving...

I guess all these companies were just lucky, huh?

Canon
Capcom
Casio
Citizen
Daihatsu
Denon
Dentsu
Fuji Heavy Industries
Fuji Film
Fujitsu
Hitachi
Honda
Itochu
JVC Victor
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Kyocera
Matsushita, Panasonic
Mazda
Mitsubishi
Mitsui
NEC
Nikon
Nintendo
Nissan
Onkyo
Ricoh
Sanyo
SEGA
Seiko
Sharp
Sony
Subaru
Suzuki
Toshiba
Toyota
Yamaha
Yokohama Tire

[damn name]

This is exactly the sort of solution I was hoping to hear about. Anyone got a photo of a packet of this stuff or what the Japanese would be...

hhmmm home centre. The only one I know of near here would be Tokyu Hands. There is a Shimachu in Honancho that I sometimes go to but here in the city, DIY is not big in the local shops.

Tokyu Hands should have it. It's very common.

Cheers!

[Coligny]

http://review.rakuten.co.jp/item/1/201994_10000397/1.1/?tpl=1 They do have the plain type. In the previous link I sent they claim that the lace design won't give you air bubble problem, in case you don't stick it properly.

Ok kids...

To avoid air bubble problems when you put stickers or protection for Iphone/Pad screens (too late I scratched mine yesterday )

Take an empty pulveriser bottle (pschit pschit trigger thingamabob). Put one drop of dish soap, fill with water... shake...
Now when you go to apply your film SOAK THE STICKY SIDE WITH THIS. It must be dripping wet everywhere... Do the same to the target surface (UNLESS IT'S FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE) (who must have been cleaned first). Then apply your film, hunt bubbles and excess water with a soft plastic ruler or hard rubber straight thingymabob. When the water dries it wont move at all. After that you don't even notice the film... (when it's a transparent one)

[Coligny]

I guess all these companies were just lucky, huh?

Depend... If we compare to your mom... yes... definately...

(...)

Somewhere in Canada...

A village is missing its idiot...

[tidbits]

Anyone got a photo of a packet of this stuff or what the Japanese would be... The only one I know of near here would be Tokyu Hands.

Packet looks something like that, it is called Ketsu-Ro bou-shi (means prevent) shi-to (for "sheets" type) OR Ketsu-Ro kyu-shu (absorb) te-pu (for tape type), "Ketsu-Ro" means the condensation.

Pictures all copied from Tokyu Hands online shop, and stocks are still available online, so your trip there should be a productive one. http://hands.net/goods/24342

Edit: sorry, should be Bou-Shi for the word "prevention" instead of "hou-shi"

[GomiGirl]

Mrs Tidbits - You are a legend.

Thank you my friend.