Condensation

Condensation on the inside of windows has become an increasingly common problem in newer mobile homes. While the old homes were drafty and expensive to heat and cool because they leaked so much air, all that air movement took excess moisture from cooking and bathing out of the house.

New homes are sealed much more tightly, are wrapped with Tyvek or some other vapor barrier and tend to reduce air infiltration substantially.

The result is more water vapor is trapped inside the home where it can condense on windows in cold weather. This can cause serious damage because the water sometimes runs down the window into the wall and down to the floor.

An experienced buyer of used homes is always going to check for floor damage under the windows. The solution is to make use of the range hood fan and bathroom fans to vent the excess moisture before it causes problems. If the weather is nice, opening the house up to dry out also helps.

{ 6 comments… read them below }
Joyce Hall
I have a real condensation problem that I need to address. My mobile is 20 yrs old, I don’t keep my home much above 65 degrees and am wondering what I can do. I have 2 windows I leave open a small crack and my windows are dripping by morning. Any suggestions?
Paul
Is this a new problem? I know some parts of the country have been getting a lot more rain than normal. If that is the case where you are located could you have some drainage issues with water getting under the home?
Could you have an exhaust fan/duct that has failed? I have seen cases where the fan worked but the duct had failed.

Gwen
I live in a mobile home and have a “Florida” room that has either an aluminum or metal ceiling. It has condensation continually. Is there something I can treat it with to stop the condensation? My carport also has condensation – lots.
Paul
I live where it is so dry (New Mexico) I’ve not had much experience with condensation. Would a dehumidifier do any good?

Paige
In addition let’s not forget that while moisture in the air generally isn’t a good thing, it only condenses into liquid water when it makes contact with a colder surface. Therefore ensuring you have sufficient insulation in the winter and maintain a constant temperature within so as to keep the walls warm, condensation and water damage are likely to be less of an issue.

Douglas
I bought an older 1980 barrington it had metal framing around the windows I took them out and filled the cracks with silicone and the cool foam instulation stuff also bought some moisture absorbers from the dollar tree and it worked