When Windows Let in More Than Sunshine

Windows are some of the best features of your house. You choose them to accent beautiful views, to add natural light and to create a warm homey vibe. However, sometimes they allow wind and water entry to devastate your home. Both new homes and older are susceptible to failure. Window leakage is more than just annoying—the slow accumulation of excess moisture can cause damage to your home, including mold and mildew growth, wood rot, or even foundation problems.

Here are a few ways windows can let you down:

Condensation
Condensation is water that forms when warm, moist air hits a cooler surface. A good analogy is when you have an iced drink on a warm summer day, and the glass has moisture on the outside of the glass. The warmer air meeting the cooler surface of the glass causes condensation to form. Interior window condensation is caused by excessive moisture in the house; it often occurs in the winter when the warm air inside the house condenses on the cold windows. It forms on the coldest surface in a room which is often the glass in a window. This accumulation can degrade the surrounding porous surfaces.

Leaky Windows
Window leaks can happen for a number of reasons. Obviously, you could have been caught off guard by a sudden storm after you planned to let in some fresh air. However, typically, window leaks are due to:

1) poorly installed windows, or
2) cracked window panes.

If your windows are leaking, you have a significant problem and need to address it. Whether you should simply repair your existing windows or replace them with new ones, that moisture can damage the window sills, sheetrock, and floors around the leak.

Worn out Casings
Window casings seal the glass from the outside elements. They see a lot of wear over time as they expand and contract with the weather. Once window casings become splintered, gouged, soft and rotted, you no longer have a reliable barrier to weather. As the seal fails, water can accumulate around the window and ruin the sills and sashes.

Sealed Too Well?
Newer homes are more airtight and energy-efficient. Many have vapor barriers like plastic within the wall cavity blocking moisture passage in either direction. Additionally, when replacement windows are properly installed, the airflow around the window significantly decreases and condensation may form on the glass of the new windows. With tighter-fitting windows, vapor barriers and increased insulation, energy costs are lower – but humidity levels must be monitored more closely. No matter when your home was built, the key is to strike the right balance when it comes to humidity levels.

Expert Water Damage Repair
Whether your water damage came in the windows, a broken pipe, or a hole in the roof, you will need professional help. Restore Rite is located in Blackfoot, Idaho and is certified and experienced in high-quality water restoration in the clients’ time of need.
When a client calls with a water damage emergency, the team responds immediately. Water extraction and drying will contain the extent of the water damage and eliminate further degradation. Experts assess the amount of damage and then create a plan of action to restore the property as quickly and efficiently as possible. Call (208) 782-4030 for help with water damage in Pocatello, Idaho.