It’s a common problem that homeowners commonly face— foggy windows. No matter how much you try and get rid of them, they seem to keep coming back.
This issue could by caused by several things: poor window insulation, too much moisture in your home, or a broken or malfunctioning heater. Depending on what the issue is, the solution to this problem could vary.
A Malfunctioning Window Seal
Most windows should come with an insulated window seal meant to prevent fogging. If yours doesn’t or isn’t doing its job, it may be time to replace your windows. However, you can always try a few other alternatives first.
You may not have noticed before, but your windows have two panes with space in between, where you can usually find your screen. This area is also filled with air that helps with the energy efficiency of your home and help manage the temperature inside.
When the seal in between the two panes starts to deteriorate, it will cause your windows to look cloudy.
So, what exactly causes these seals to deteriorate? The answer could be excess water getting in between the panes after a rainstorm, exposure to too much sun, or a combination of both. It could also happen over time, as the seal gets more worn.
In order to fix this problem, you can use a defogging spray on your windows that will help prevent your windows from fogging up any further. Unfortunately, this is only a temporary solution that won’t permanently solve your problems. Eventually, you will have to replace your entire window.
Too Much Moisture in Your Home
Another common cause of window fog is caused from when your home has too much humidity in it. This can be caused by cooking, laundry, and everyday activities.
Aside from the fact that this excess moisture is causing your windows to fog up, it can also be a catalyst for mold, mildew, rotting wood, and a high electricity bill in your home. This moisture will also build up in between your window panes and is what causes the fogginess. You can solve this issue by purchasing a humidifier in your home.
Make sure you are using the ventilator in your bathroom when showering and keep the door closed so that the moisture and humidity can’t escape and stick to your windows. When cooking, have all of your fans on to prevent the same thing from happening.
You should also try and keep furniture away from your exterior walls.
A Broken Heater
A broken heater is another reason why your home’s windows may be fogging up. The different temperatures between inside and outside will undoubtedly cause your windows to fog up.
While you can purchase a defogging spray to put on your windows, you can also use a small layer of shaving cream to prevent more fog from building up.
Obviously, you will also want to get your heater fixed.
Window Defogging
If you’ve tried everything you can think of to get rid of the fog in your windows and nothing seems to be working, it may be time for you to call in a professional for a defogging window treatment.
This is a treatment that involves removing the water from your window panes by having a professional drill small holes in the windows to let the moisture out. Once the windows are dry and the fog is cleared, they will close up the holes.
This process can be complicated if you have a lot of moisture in your windows as it can take a while for it to clear. It can also take a few months for the treatment to become permanent.
Many people are hesitant to try the window defogging treatment because of the fact that it’s a new treatment that still has its flaws. For one, some parts of the window may have other cracks in it that will continue to allow moisture in despite having drained it the first time.
Because of the fact that this process isn’t guaranteed to work, many people choose to get their windows replaced entirely.
Replacing Your Windows
The best solution to getting rid of foggy windows is to simply replace them. Before doing this, it would be in your best interest to hire a professional to come and check out the damage on your windows before you make any drastic decisions. A professional will be able to tell you how bad the damage is and give you some repair options.
Replacing your windows can be extremely costly, especially when you have to remove everything from the double pane windows to the seal. You can always opt out for a partial replacement, which involves having someone come in and replace your window seal.
Preventing Window Fog in Your Home
The best way to avoid having to drop hundreds of dollars on window repair is by doing everything you can to prevent your windows from fogging up.
The first thing you want to do is make sure that your home has proper ventilation. This is incredibly important not just for the health of you and those who live with you, but also so your windows don’t continue to fog up over time.
If you are in the position to do so, another way to prevent window fog is to install energy-efficient windows in your home. They can help regulate the temperature in your home thus keeping your windows from fogging up. Best of all, most of these windows come with a lifetime warranty, so even if you need window replacement, it won’t cost you a dime.
Every once in a while, you may want to go around and inspect all of your windows, especially during the times when you are expecting heavy rainfall. The quicker you catch any defects, the easier it will be to get them fixed.
When it comes to getting rid of moisture in your home, you can purchase a humidifier as mentioned earlier, or you can make sure the ventilation in your home is good by leaving fans on to get the air circulating. This will also prevent all of the hot air in your home from sticking to your windows and causing fog.
Lastly, you can also protect your windows by purchasing a window film kit for your windows. This comes with a protective film for your windows that allow the temperature to be regulated and to prevent fogginess. Even better, this also has the ability to prevent moisture from getting into your window panes.
Conclusion
Windows are meant to be clear, not foggy. If you find that they are constantly fogging up and you can’t figure out why, it could be caused from poor ventilation in your home, too much humidity, or moisture getting in between your window pains.
You can use a defogging spray to keep your windows from getting cloudy if the issue isn’t too severe. However, is the problem has persisted for a while and a defogger simply doesn’t cut it anymore, it may be time to call a professional. Contact them to see what your options are. You could either get them professionally defogged, your you may have to replace your windows entirely.
