Why do my windowsills keep getting wet, then end up with black mold on them?
Joe M asked:
We live in Wisconsin, where it is very cold from November-March. I realize that condensation is causing the wood on the windowsill to get wet; is this due to the quality of our windows? Is there anything that I can do to stop this (possibly caulking between wood and windows)? Any way to clean the black mold off of the wood? Will sanding the wood and re-staining clean this up?
Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure
We live in Wisconsin, where it is very cold from November-March. I realize that condensation is causing the wood on the windowsill to get wet; is this due to the quality of our windows? Is there anything that I can do to stop this (possibly caulking between wood and windows)? Any way to clean the black mold off of the wood? Will sanding the wood and re-staining clean this up?
Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure
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The only thing I know that works besides replacing all of the windows is putting plastic film over the insides of the window. A dehumidifier may help.
Well we live in a 3 month old house with the plastic sills and when they get wet from the cold it travels down and if i don’t stay on top of it it goes moldy. So I guess just stay on top of it for the winter months.
First off, you can always clean mildew and mold very quickly by spraying it with 50/50 mix of bleach and water. It kills it within a few treatments. Then just wipe away.
Yes, you’re windows are letting in moisture or condensation. Do you have storm windows, are they in the right position, there should be a top and bottom storm window. Next, yes I would caulk any and all parts of the window frames, to seal any gaps. If you can see daylight shining through the edges, it will let in cold air and moisture.
you must kill the mold, try lysol or bleach to clean it and kill it, then continue to apply more on a regular basis to prevent it… i have been told that you can also tint your home windows just like a car. the darker color attacts heat to the window and helps with condensation….. or get double pained windows
Humidity levels are too high in the house causing condensation on the cold glass….especially for single pane glass. Have the windows sanded and restained or varnished and clean any mold with bleach solution. If you have a furnace type humidifier, have it checked and make sure the humidty level control is set to around 30-40 percent or lower if condensation continues. Winter air is drier so it should dry out eventually. Run bath vent fans after showers and kitchen vents while cooking to reduce humidity levels. Buy a dehumidifier if levels stay too high.
Need some air circulation.
Paul H has it about right. Here’s a bit more info. When warm, moist indoor air hits the cold glass of your windows, it cools. Cool air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air so it deposits what it can’t hold on the glass. Ever see condensation on the outside of your glass of ice tea at a picnic? Same deal: warm, moist air hits the glass and deposits moisture as it cools. The basic solution is either to keep your window glass warm or to reduce temps and moisture level indoors, or both.