Doors and Windows - condensation inside window

I have a 12 year home with a large foyer window 6'X6' square with a 3' radius half moon window above it. I recently noticed condensation in the hlaf moon for the first time and also just noticed minimal condensate starting near the bottom of the 6'X6' window. I have been in home almost 4 years and have cleaned windows inside and out 1-2 times a year, would Windex attack the seal in any way??? I have noticed that caulking outside looked a little worn (where vinyl frame meets window), would this cause the problem? I would think the actual seal is somewhere below the vinyl frame.

Also, is there any way to remedy this without direct replacement? I had a crazy idea I could recaulk to attempt to seal everything, then drill some type of access hole, then purge out inside of window with nitrogen (or argon) and seal the access hole. Any ideas?, thanks in advance.

Time for some new windows.....I don't know of any legitimate way to reseal double pane windows...

Reb's right....once the seal fails, it's over. They'll just keep getting more and more fogged over inside.

No method of re-sealing them short of taking the unit apart, cleaning ( IF the moisture hasn't etched the glass, which is will over time ) and re-sealing using a special high temp sealant you don't have access too.

You don't have to replace the entire window, just the glass units, and it may be covered under warranty if you have the orginal paperwork.

Thanks. Yeah, I was afraid you'ld say that.

Is the condensation between the double payne glass?

Hi MS, yes the condensate is between the panes. The half moon section is pretty loaded with condensate. The larger 6X6 section is very very minimal up to this point. I was hoping to prevent the large section from getting any worse somehow.

Many windows have a life time warranty. Try to find out what make of window, sometimes they limit it too the original owners. Pop them out and replace.

Hehe.....yep, just "pop" 'em out...

Hey Michael...you ever pop a 6 foot by 6 foot glass unit out of the frame ?

I'll tell you, it's one DANG scarier proposition.....I'd guess you're looking at 1/4" plate glass on both pcs, and the weight somewhere in the 150-200 lb range for the unit......and nothing but glass to hold onto......

CALL SOMEBODY THAT REPLACES GLASS FOR A LIVING, dude.

With moisture between the panes, the glass unit is finished. But all you HAVE to replace is the IG unit -- the glass.

My experience has been that the IG units in vinyl windows have a very low failure rate. The ones that fail most are those in aluminum framed widows.

"Pop" 'em out?? A 6 X 6 Ig unit?? Michael, tell me you were just kidding!! That's enough weight to kill 4 large men!!!

Yup:)

I was thinking of the half moon.

Michael, I KNEW you were just referring to the half moon -- That just has 2 big guys on ladders trying to get it out.

Stooge, given the SIZE of these windows, (THAT doesn't look good -- couldn't you have choosen a DIFFERENT name??) leave them to the pros. I think we are all in agreement that you ONLY need to replace the IG units -- those are 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of new windows, but even THOSE won't be cheap. E-mail me, or PM me -- I'll tell you about the 4 "pros" trying to remove a 4 X 8 IG unit a few years back who 'lost' it -- over a concrete front porch. We were lucky -- ALL 4 OF US were there to sweep up the mess!!!

thanks guys, I'll see if I can pursue the warranty.

lefty, just saw your other message...don't worry, no way I would tackle the replacement job.

I was pretty sure I talked YOU out of it -- I'm just waiting to hear from Michael!! But we'll give him a break -- he's in western WA, and it's been REALLY cold up there for a week or so, and the Seahawks lost last weekend.

(Michael, I'm sure we were both crying the blues after what happened in Green Bay last weekend -- and it's almost no consolation what happened in Philly this evening!!)

Well guys,
We got so much snow up here last week, then the Seahawks lost, then, then. LOL. I really didn't say who was going to pop them out. Meant for the possible warranty people to do it. I admit I do most every thing myself but I would leave this for the pros. :) . Go Mariners