Six Practical Steps to Controlling Condensation and Excess Humidity

Have problems with condensation along your windows? Here are some easy steps The Window Man for controlling humidity--and therefore condensation:

1. Replace old worn out windows with insulated glass. This will better insulate your windows from the outside air. This won't prevent excess humidity in the air, but it will make looking out your windows a lot easier!

2. Be sure that louvers in the attic or basement crawl spaces are open and that they are large enough.

3. Run your kitchen or other ventilating fans longer and more often than you usually do.

4. Shut off your furnace humidifier and any other humidifying devices in your home.

5. Open your fireplace damper so moisture can escape more easily.

6. Use a dehumidifier to reduce interior condensation. If you don't have a dehumidifier, air out your house for a few minutes each day.

If these common remedies don't work, the condensation problem should be looked at by a qualified heating contractor. He may suggest an outside air intake for your furnace or installation of venting fans. These inexpensive options will be less costly than a major painting job or plaster work caused by excess water vapor.

For more information, visit one of The Window Man's three Northern Virginia showrooms.