I mistakenly posted on fix it forum but did not explain it correctly.
Summertime and very heavy rains in MA and there is quite a bit of condensation between the "fixed" picture window and the outside storm window. It is part of a window that has smaller windows attached that open on both sides. These 2 windows that open were replaced in 1996 with Harveys and the middle remained untouched. Last year I noticed bugs were getting in somehow in the 3" or so gap between the outer storm and fixed inside window. My husband caulked around the window as we couldn't figure out where they were coming in and one "hinge type thing" was missing and he put clear caulk in that little space there also. Since then occasionally when there is a great deal of rain, condensation builds up in betwwen the two and he has since been diagnosed with a herniated disc and can not get the storm window out (much too heavy - large window) to even wipe it dry in there.....plus now the caulking would make it more difficult.
Does anyone have any suggestions how to fix this problem or even what could be wrong. The weep holes on the bottom are open. I am worried about mold in there as it is 3 days since the rain stopped and it is still in there with a few lines of water running down along the outer side of the inside window. We have no one to help us (relative or friend) and I am 70 and have severe osteoporosis and can not help him.
The window is on the north side that never really gets any sun.
The times it happened before it did dry out in a couple of days but there is high heat and humidity outside and it is still hanging around and it is going to rain again. We have the a/c set on 76 degrees. HELP please.
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Your storm window is undoubtably too sealed up to exhaust the vater vapor between the storm and the inside picture window.
The inside window (a fixed picture window in this case) should ideally be as airtight as possible, and an exterior storm window is never supposed to be airtight; it's supposed to breathe. If a person caulks shut a storm window, one would often experience condensation between the storm and the inside window because the moisture is trapped. I know it sounds odd to have a "drafty" storm window, but that's what is needed to reduce or avoid condensation between.
You mentioned that the "weep holes on the bottom are open." That's good - with smaller size windows that is usually enough for the moisture to escape. However, with larger windows, the weep holes may not be enough to exhaust the moisture trapped behind the storm window; you need more breather holes, which may not be possible with that window. That's one reason why one often sees storms on the double hung windows but no storm on the picture window. Instead one will often see a double glazed insulating glass on the picture window rather than single glazed with a storm. An insulating glass picture window has no storm to remove and wash, and it wouldn't trap moisture.
Some possible fixes: remove the caulk, somehow make the storm more ventilated/breathable (more holes?), get rid of the storm (and make the picture window double glazed insulating glass from a glass company). Good luck!
The inside window (a fixed picture window in this case) should ideally be as airtight as possible, and an exterior storm window is never supposed to be airtight; it's supposed to breathe. If a person caulks shut a storm window, one would often experience condensation between the storm and the inside window because the moisture is trapped. I know it sounds odd to have a "drafty" storm window, but that's what is needed to reduce or avoid condensation between.
You mentioned that the "weep holes on the bottom are open." That's good - with smaller size windows that is usually enough for the moisture to escape. However, with larger windows, the weep holes may not be enough to exhaust the moisture trapped behind the storm window; you need more breather holes, which may not be possible with that window. That's one reason why one often sees storms on the double hung windows but no storm on the picture window. Instead one will often see a double glazed insulating glass on the picture window rather than single glazed with a storm. An insulating glass picture window has no storm to remove and wash, and it wouldn't trap moisture.
Some possible fixes: remove the caulk, somehow make the storm more ventilated/breathable (more holes?), get rid of the storm (and make the picture window double glazed insulating glass from a glass company). Good luck!
