The fog on the windows doesn’t just depend on the caulking of your windows!
Calfeutrage Elite answer on the North Shore to a question that is often asked of us in winter and that is a myth!
Fog problems on the windows of your windows?
In Quebec, the temperature changes we undergo over the seasons have the effect of producing fog on our windows. It is a myth to believe that deficient caulking is the main cause.
And, if the caulking will eliminate water and air infiltration well, it will have only a small influence on the problem of mist.
Why is there condensation on my windows?
It is the presence of too much water vapour inside your home that is responsible for this phenomenon that will intensify with the decrease in outside temperatures.
To avoid this, it is essential to control the humidity level of the ambient air while maintaining the humidity necessary for your comfort and the health of your family.
The formation of fog or frost on the windows depends essentially on two factors:
- The percentage of moisture inside your home
- And the surface temperature of your windows that are affected by external temperature variations.
In order to avoid condensation on your windows, the humidity of your home’s air should not exceed
- 15% at outside temperatures of -28 degrees Celsius or less.
- And in contrast, 40% at outside temperatures equal to or above -4oC.
A test to convince you
To image the effects of the outside temperature on your windows, take the following test: Go sit in the car one winter morning and stay there for a few minutes without starting it; you will quickly find that the heat of your body will increase the ambient temperature in the car and the water vapor you will release will go directly deposited on the windows that inevitably form a mist.
If it is very cold, this mist will eventually turn into frost. Do the same test on a summer morning and the phenomenon will be almost non-existent … unless it rains because rainwater will cool your windows and increase the temperature difference.
Factors of humidity
Despite your attempts at control, some daily activities complicate the task and directly influence the humidity level in the home.
- Take a bath or shower,
- Washing dishes,
- Cooking food,
- Washing floors or carpets,
- Doing the laundry,
- Paint a room with latex (water-based paint),
- And simply, the human presence of a family.
If these activities are difficult to limit, others such as drying clothes in the open air should be completely avoided (This releases six times more moisture than a simple laundry)
Surprisingly, the lifestyles of a Quebec family of four can produce between 20 and 25 kilograms of water vapour daily, which is the equivalent of 20 to 25 litres of water.
Good habits for healthy humidity
Here are some behaviours you could adopt to better control the humidity of your home:
- Temporarily discontinue the use of humidifiers if fog is still persisting
- Aerate all floors frequently for a few moments to renew the ambient air
- Circulate air using ceiling or portable fans
- Leave the curtains and blinds open to allow air circulation that will dry out the windows
- Check the dryer drain pipe
- Avoid opening basement windows in hot, humid weather
- Always use the bathroom fan while leaving a window between-open
- Keep the bathroom door closed during showers or baths
Finally, spring and fall inspection of the caulking of your doors and windows remains very important in order to prevent air and water infiltration, and better control of the humidity level, depending on the seasons and temperature variations, will significantly reduce your problems of fog in the windows.
[message type=”info”]Not sure if you’re identifying your fog problem? Call 514 910 ELIT (3548) Our quote is free! You can also use our contact form[/message]
Elite Cauldration, Laval, Montreal South shore and north shore
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