Hello!
I have discovered that one of my windows has rotted at the bottom.
This past winter, we noticed that it dripped a little at the top of the window. I thought it might be drifting snow that melted.
But now I suspect it could be my wife's plant watering that caused condensation to form.
In this window, there are many plants placed right above a radiator.
I have examined the roof and found nothing that looks like a leak.
Above the window, you can see that the paint has peeled off the frame.
Here you can see some pictures.
http://fredand44.webs.com/fukt_fonster/fukt_fonster.html
Grateful for guesses on what could be a likely cause.
The house was originally a summer residence and as far as I know, there is no so-called vapor barrier between the ground floor and the cold attic.
Can condensation rise to the attic and precipitate?
Many thanks in advance.
Fredrik
I have discovered that one of my windows has rotted at the bottom.
This past winter, we noticed that it dripped a little at the top of the window. I thought it might be drifting snow that melted.
But now I suspect it could be my wife's plant watering that caused condensation to form.
In this window, there are many plants placed right above a radiator.
I have examined the roof and found nothing that looks like a leak.
Above the window, you can see that the paint has peeled off the frame.
Here you can see some pictures.
http://fredand44.webs.com/fukt_fonster/fukt_fonster.html
Grateful for guesses on what could be a likely cause.
The house was originally a summer residence and as far as I know, there is no so-called vapor barrier between the ground floor and the cold attic.
Can condensation rise to the attic and precipitate?
Many thanks in advance.
Fredrik
Converting a summer cottage into a year-round residence is not always straightforward. Some things you should check include:
Is there ventilation of the exterior roof? If not, condensation can form with temperature changes. This can be addressed with vents in the roof ridge and air intake at the eaves. (don't forget insect screens when installing)
Is there ventilation of the house's indoor air? Natural ventilation, vents? In a picture, a vent is visible in the middle of a wall—what function does it have, in the middle of the wall? It is often better to have increased ventilation when converting a summer cottage without vapor barrier in the walls into a year-round residence. Though not very energy-efficient, it can minimize the risk of moist indoor air going into walls and ceilings to condense there.
What type of paint are the windows painted with? This could be the culprit when it comes to window issues, in combination with moist indoor air condensing inside the window frame. Do you often have condensation on the inside of the windows during winter? The paint coming off the casing is probably related to the combination of moist indoor air leaking around the windows and plastic paint.
Your wife's many flowers could certainly be a contributing factor to a locally more humid climate. Can't she have cacti instead?
Is there ventilation of the exterior roof? If not, condensation can form with temperature changes. This can be addressed with vents in the roof ridge and air intake at the eaves. (don't forget insect screens when installing)
Is there ventilation of the house's indoor air? Natural ventilation, vents? In a picture, a vent is visible in the middle of a wall—what function does it have, in the middle of the wall? It is often better to have increased ventilation when converting a summer cottage without vapor barrier in the walls into a year-round residence. Though not very energy-efficient, it can minimize the risk of moist indoor air going into walls and ceilings to condense there.
What type of paint are the windows painted with? This could be the culprit when it comes to window issues, in combination with moist indoor air condensing inside the window frame. Do you often have condensation on the inside of the windows during winter? The paint coming off the casing is probably related to the combination of moist indoor air leaking around the windows and plastic paint.
Your wife's many flowers could certainly be a contributing factor to a locally more humid climate. Can't she have cacti instead?