Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the panels. As a short term solution (while we get the money together to replace them) is there any way to demist them so we can see out ??? Someone suggested drilling two holes in the corner of the panes and extracting the "wet air" with a vacuum cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though ?

SWW wrote:
Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the panels. As a
short term solution (while we get the money together to replace them) is
there any way to demist them so we can see out ??? Someone suggested
drilling two holes in the corner of the panes and extracting the "wet
air" with a vacuum cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though
?
This is what happens to ALL dg units in time - it can't not happen as
the joints rely on flexibility which eventually is lost - seals break
and air starts leaking in/out as pressure changes.
The only answer is to replace them but it will happen again. Or put in
single glazing which in the long term is far more cost effective (or
less cost ineffective) than DG.

cheers
Jacob

On 7 Jul 2006 10:09:56 -0700, "normanwisdom"
wrote:


SWW wrote:
Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the panels. As a
short term solution (while we get the money together to replace them) is
there any way to demist them so we can see out ??? Someone suggested
drilling two holes in the corner of the panes and extracting the "wet
air" with a vacuum cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though
?
This is what happens to ALL dg units in time - it can't not happen as
the joints rely on flexibility which eventually is lost - seals break
and air starts leaking in/out as pressure changes.
The only answer is to replace them but it will happen again. Or put in
single glazing which in the long term is far more cost effective (or
less cost ineffective) than DG.


That's all true.

Do like we do. If it's only noticeable if the sun shines from a
certain angle, or if there is a particular temperature gradient
between inside /outside, etc ...

Just live with it.

DG

SWW wrote:
Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the panels. As a
short term solution (while we get the money together to replace them) is
there any way to demist them so we can see out ??? Someone suggested
drilling two holes in the corner of the panes and extracting the "wet
air" with a vacuum cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though
?




--
SWW

I wouldn't bother drilling holes in your windows. You could end up
making them worse. Wouldn't a de-humidifier not work more effectively.
You can buy them reasonably cheap and that would draw any moisture to
it like a magnet ;-)

The message
from SWW contains these words:

(while we get the money together to replace them)

You are only going to replace the glass, aren't you? Not the frames as
well? Just the glass is quite cheap. Drop into your local proper glazier
(not a double glazing specialist unless you want them camping on your
doorstep for evermore trying to flog you new windows) with sizes and
thickness. They'll give you an estimate on the spot.

If the glass it toughened (look for the etch mark in the corner) then
forget drilling it, it'll go BANG!

--
Skipweasel
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

"normanwisdom" wrote in message
oups.com...

SWW wrote:
Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the panels. As a
short term solution (while we get the money together to replace them) is
there any way to demist them so we can see out ??? Someone suggested
drilling two holes in the corner of the panes and extracting the "wet
air" with a vacuum cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though
?
This is what happens to ALL dg units in time - it can't not happen as
the joints rely on flexibility which eventually is lost - seals break
and air starts leaking in/out as pressure changes.
The only answer is to replace them but it will happen again. Or put in
single glazing which in the long term is far more cost effective (or
less cost ineffective) than DG.

But isn't it more prone to condensation than double glazing? And noisier?
And less secure? And colder?

I don't think I'd be replacing DG with single galzing any time soon.

Martin

On Fri, 7 Jul 2006 16:25:27 +0100, SWW wrote:


Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the panels. As a
short term solution (while we get the money together to replace them) is
there any way to demist them so we can see out ??? Someone suggested
drilling two holes in the corner of the panes and extracting the "wet
air" with a vacuum cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though
?

I recovered a laminated unit on which the seal had been breached by ingrowing Ivy using an aquarium
pump, a lunchbox, and some silica gel - details here :
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/window.html

But as mentioned elsewhere, make sure it's not toughened glass.... not even sure how viable drilling
is with non-laminated....

In message , Mike Harrison
writes
On Fri, 7 Jul 2006 16:25:27 +0100, SWW wrote:


Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the panels. As a
short term solution (while we get the money together to replace them) is
there any way to demist them so we can see out ??? Someone suggested
drilling two holes in the corner of the panes and extracting the "wet
air" with a vacuum cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though
?

I recovered a laminated unit on which the seal had been breached by
ingrowing Ivy using an aquarium
pump, a lunchbox, and some silica gel - details here :
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/window.html

You don't need to drill the glass. Take the sealed unit out of the
frame, (generally easy unless security-taped in place) then drill though
the top corners of the sealing/spacer strip, and do the
blowing-dried-air-through trick. Seal afterwards with a glob of
neutral-cure silicone.
By taking the unit out, you may also be able to spot where the seal has
failed, generally a patch losses adhesion with the glass, and this is
often visible. Reseal with silicone.

--
steve

This is what happens to ALL dg units in time - it can't not happen as
the joints rely on flexibility which eventually is lost - seals break
and air starts leaking in/out as pressure changes.
The only answer is to replace them but it will happen again. Or put in
single glazing which in the long term is far more cost effective (or
less cost ineffective) than DG.

But isn't it more prone to condensation than double glazing?
Yes but you can wipe it off - you don't have to reglaze the window! And
if properly designed it will drain away to the outside and each window
acts as a dehumidifier. And you get less condensation in other parts of
the building.
And noisier?
Yes true but only if you live in a noisy place - the only plus of dg is
noise reduction but it's not the only way.
And less secure?
SG just as secure as you choose to make it. DG has been noted as too
secure in that in the event of fire escape can be difficult esp if
plastic also - which can weld/melt shut. Plastic + DG is a fire hazard.
And colder?
Yes and no; the net saving of cost of DG against heating bills is
negative. DG is an expensive way of maintaining temperature


I don't think I'd be replacing DG with single galzing any time soon.
I wouldn't if you've already got it- you might as well get your monies
worth, but when it fails you should go for single glazing - can last
for hundreds of years with very little (but regular) maintenance.

Martin

cheers
Jacob

In article ,
Steven Briggs writes:
By taking the unit out, you may also be able to spot where the seal has
failed, generally a patch losses adhesion with the glass, and this is
often visible. Reseal with silicone.

One common cause of failure is the drainage channels in the
frame being blocked, so the sealed unit ends up sitting in
a puddle of water along its bottom edge. Check that if you
take the sealed unit out.

--
Andrew Gabriel

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
Steven Briggs writes:
By taking the unit out, you may also be able to spot where the seal has
failed, generally a patch losses adhesion with the glass, and this is
often visible. Reseal with silicone.

One common cause of failure is the drainage channels in the
frame being blocked, so the sealed unit ends up sitting in
a puddle of water along its bottom edge. Check that if you
take the sealed unit out.

But they ARE waterproff you know.

BTW that Norman Wisdom poster is a bit of a comedian. I'd put him with
IMM and Derby' crew.

You can drill the mastic and drain the Silica Gel, Heat the gel in an
oven and then reload it. Seal with mastic again and save up for a new
glass as has been suggested. Whilst the unit is out of the frame
measure it (in millimeters) to order the replacement.

They usually last 7 to 10 years or more.and tend to fail only when
smacked or strained. A prolonged effect of being in a wind swirl might
have one particular window failing more often than others but suspect
it has been badly fitted first.

The glazing needs stiff rubber pads as support in the frame, also the
pads act as wedging to keep the window square (opening sashes for
example, have the pads on the bottom hinge side and on the side
opposite the top hinge.)

If silicon has been used on the pane it will stick to the glass
chemically, so beware its overuse there.

BTW that Norman Wisdom poster is a bit of a comedian. I'd put him with
IMM and Derby' crew.

And the plastic window industry is a disastrous joke.

cheers
Norm

In article .com,
normanwisdom wrote:
BTW that Norman Wisdom poster is a bit of a comedian. I'd put him with
IMM and Derby' crew.

And the plastic window industry is a disastrous joke.

Hmm. I replaced a Magnet wood one which rotted while you watched with a
UPC one from Screwfix for DIY installation. It looks like new when given a
quick wash down, while the Magnet one would have been painted twice in the
time. I don't like the look of them at the front of period properties, but
for a utility use like this in a kitchen, I'm well pleased.

--
*You sound reasonable......time to up my medication

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Bobo wrote:
SWW wrote:
Some of our double glazed windows are misted up between the
panels. As a short term solution (while we get the money
together to replace them) is there any way to demist them so we
can see out ??? Someone suggested drilling two holes in the
corner of the panes and extracting the "wet air" with a vacuum
cleaner. Don't know how I would drill glass though ?

I wouldn't bother drilling holes in your windows. You could end up
making them worse. Wouldn't a de-humidifier not work more
effectively. You can buy them reasonably cheap and that would
draw any moisture to it like a magnet ;-)

How do you get the de-humidifier inside the DG unit then?