Yeah, humidity's definitely a sneaky culprit. I didn't notice mold immediately—it took about two summers before I spotted some dark spots creeping in around the edges. Honestly, removing screens periodically sounds good in theory, but realistically... who has time for that? I've tried silica gel packets in smaller spaces like closets, and they do help a bit, but I'm skeptical they'd make much difference outdoors behind screens. Might be worth testing on one window first before committing fully.
Had similar issues myself—humidity buildup behind screens is tricky. I installed small weep holes at the bottom of my window frames to improve airflow and drainage. It's subtle, but after two years, there's noticeably less mold growth around the edges. Might be worth considering.
"I installed small weep holes at the bottom of my window frames to improve airflow and drainage."
Interesting idea... I hadn't thought about drilling holes. I've been using those moisture absorber packs tucked behind the curtains—works okay, but they're kinda ugly. Did you notice any drafts or bugs sneaking in through the holes?
I've actually tried drilling tiny weep holes too—here's my quick experience:
- Bugs: Surprisingly, not really an issue. I was worried about ants or spiders setting up shop, but nope... guess my windows weren't prime real estate.
- Drafts: Slightly noticeable in winter, but nothing major. Definitely less annoying than those moisture packs (been there, done that—ugly indeed).
- Drainage: Actually pretty effective. I used to get condensation pooling at the bottom, now it's dry as a bone.
One tip if you're gonna drill: keep the holes small and angled downward slightly so water drains out easily. Also, check occasionally for dust buildup—quick poke with a toothpick does the trick.
Overall, I'd say it's worth it... way better than staring at those sad little moisture bags behind the curtains.
I tried the drilling method a few years back too, and my experience was pretty similar. Bugs weren't an issue for me either, but I did notice a bit more draftiness than you described—especially on windy winter days. Nothing unbearable, but enough to make me reconsider the hole size. I ended up sealing a couple of the larger holes with clear silicone and re-drilling smaller ones at a sharper downward angle. That seemed to strike a good balance between drainage and drafts.
One thing I'd add: if your windows are older (mine were pushing 20 years at the time), drilling can sometimes chip or crack the vinyl if you're not careful. Learned that the hard way... luckily it was minor and easily patched up, but still something to watch out for.
Overall though, definitely beats those moisture bags. I tried them once and couldn't stand how they looked or having to constantly replace them. Drilling isn't perfect, but it's a solid DIY fix if you're careful about it.
I've seen the drilling method mentioned a lot here, but honestly, I think it can cause more trouble than it's worth, especially if your windows are already older. Vinyl cracking is definitely a risk, and even small cracks can lead to bigger issues down the road.
Instead, I've had good luck with just improving airflow around the windows. A couple years ago, I noticed some condensation building up pretty badly on my older windows (they're about 15-20 yrs old). Rather than drilling, I installed some small, discreet fans near the worst windows to keep air moving. Nothing fancy—just those little USB-powered desk fans you can get cheap online. I set them up to run on timers for a few hours each day, usually in the mornings when condensation was worst.
It sounds overly simple, but it actually helped a ton. Within a week or so, condensation was noticeably less, and after a month, it was barely an issue at all. Plus, no drafts and no messing around with drilling or silicone. Sure, you have to deal with the fans being there, but they're small enough to hide behind curtains or blinds, so aesthetics weren't really an issue.
I get that drilling works for some people, but personally I'd rather not risk damaging the window frames. If you're careful and comfortable with DIY fixes, maybe it's fine—but if you're hesitant at all, I'd suggest trying the airflow solution first. It's cheap, easy, and reversible if it doesn't work out.
Interesting take on the airflow idea, hadn't really thought about using fans like that. I can see how it'd help with condensation, but I'm wondering if it actually addresses the root cause of the moisture buildup? Condensation usually means there's humidity issues inside the house, right? So maybe the fans are just moving the moisture around rather than solving the underlying problem.
I had a similar issue in my place—older windows, probably around 20 years old too—and I found that using a dehumidifier in the room made a huge difference. It wasn't as cheap as your fan solution, but it definitely cut down on moisture overall. Plus, it helped with other humidity-related annoyances like musty smells and even mold spots in corners.
Not knocking your fan idea at all, because if it works for you that's great. But I guess I'm just curious if you've noticed any other humidity-related problems elsewhere in your home? Like peeling paint or wallpaper bubbling up? Because if so, maybe tackling humidity directly could be more effective long-term.
Also, about drilling—I've heard mixed things too. A friend of mine did it and swears by it, but personally I'd be nervous about cracking vinyl frames or voiding warranties (if they're still valid). Still, I wonder if drilling might be more of a permanent fix compared to fans or even dehumidifiers...though obviously riskier.
Anyway, just throwing another perspective out there. Seems like there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to older windows and condensation issues.
Had the same issue with older windows in my last place—fans helped a bit, but honestly felt like a temporary fix. Ended up biting the bullet and getting a dehumidifier too, and it was night and day difference. Weirdly enough, even my allergies improved once the humidity dropped. Fans are good short-term, but tackling the moisture head-on seemed way more effective long-term...at least for me.
"Fans are good short-term, but tackling the moisture head-on seemed way more effective long-term...at least for me."
Totally agree with you on this. Fans just push damp air around until your house feels like a humid jungle. Dehumidifiers are legit magic boxes—I swear mine collects enough water to fill a kiddie pool every week. Also, bonus points for allergy relief; who knew mold and dust mites loved humidity so much? Keeping moisture down definitely extends window life...and keeps the sneezes away, apparently.
Dehumidifiers are great, but they're not exactly magic boxes...they do spike your electricity bill if you're running them constantly. Other simple fixes help too:
- Weatherstripping windows
- Cracking windows open occasionally
- Checking for leaks regularly
Cheaper and still effective.