Fogged window, then not fogged

[Jay Moge]

Originally Posted by scosta

Not sure I would try it, but I read somewhere another method of testing if the seal is broken is to press on the outside and inside of the glass and if the panes touch, the seal is broke. Anyone else hear or read of this method?
Steve

Steve, i'm with them, i wouldn't try it. one thing is you could break it, because depending on the age of the window and thickness of each glass, it could break like.......well ....glass actualy. the other thing is, weather the seal is good or not you could get the 2 to touch depending on how big each is, how thick, old, and how far apart. sounds like who ever told you that may have a method for one situation, but not enough to call it a "trick" for all thermal panes.

[scosta]

Im with ya, I dont know where I think I read that, but it doesnt seem like a good idea. I figured I would ask in case anyone else heard or has tried it.

[Russel Ray]

Educate:

Multi-pane windows
Multi-pane windows reduce street noise and improve heating and cooling efficiency. Since the space between the panes is sealed at the factory, multi-pane windows typically cannot be repaired and have to be replaced. Depending on the type of construction and the type of exterior siding, window replacement can be expensive. If a seal fails, air from the environment may enter the formerly sealed space, which may cause condensation or fogging in the window. Most multi-pane window failures in San Diego County occur on the south and west sides of the house due to the amount of sunshine we get.

It is not always possible to detect failed seals in multi-pane windows because evidence of the failure may not be visible, particularly during dry weather, so we cannot ensure that each and every seal on each and every window is intact at the time of the inspection. Dirty windows also make it difficult to properly examine multi-pane windows.

If windows are dirty, they should be cleaned, both inside and outside. Any apparent residue left on the window will usually be within the sealed space and typically indicates that the window seal has failed.

If you can't determine whether or not the seal is broken, hold an ice cube against the glass for about a minute. If the seal is broken, moisture between the two glass panes will condense on the inside of the glass.

Due to the expense involved in replacing multi-pane windows, recommend having all multi-pane doors and windows cleaned, inside and outside, before close of escrow.

Recommend monitoring windows during cold or wet weather; any condensation that cannot be wiped away on the interior or exterior of the window is in the space between the panes, and the window will probably need to be replaced.

[teamplayer]

Very common, it can work in reverse of your situation as well. It might not be showing and then it is when the buyer moves in. Then they want to know why you missed it. Here is my reporting language for insulated windows that goes in after my standard descriptive section of the report regarding the windows.

"Defective seals in insulated glass are not always visible. Environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and time of day will affect visible indications of defective seals. Therefore any defective seals listed are only those that were visible and significantly affecting the appearance of the window at the time of inspection and not a guaranty that no other windows have defective seals."

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by teamplayer

"Defective seals in insulated glass are not always visible. Environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and time of day will affect visible indications of defective seals. Therefore any defective seals listed are only those that were visible and significantly affecting the appearance of the window at the time of inspection and not a guaranty that no other windows have defective seals."

I liked that until I got to the "and significantly affecting the appearance of the window at the time of inspection." That I didn't like. If a defective seal is "visible" or noticeable or detectable, it will, at some point, probably the day after they move in, "significantly affect the appearance of the window." So why not just note it now and save the phone call from the buyers when they move in by deleting that phrase?

[teamplayer]

I agree Russell, I say that because the ones that aren't always noticeable are the ones that will someday show themselves after they move in. I look closely at the windows and if I see them I call them out. However, I don't want to go around with an ice cube trying to find fogged windows. If the window shows no signs without further investigation, I do not want to spend an extra 15 to 30 minutes (depending on how many windows there are) trying to dig something up. Many times the windows are too dirty to see the signs. I could spend that time looking for more significant issues. I have had only one call back in over 1500 inspections regarding a fogged window I didn't see, so it is not worth it for me to spend more time than I do already on windows. It would be nice if all sellers would have their windows cleaned, the home de-cluttered, etc at the time of inspection, but we all know that isn't the case, so finding every possible fogged window is just not practicle.