Argon all gone

postvr8 · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 18 Location: SLC, UT

I washed all the windows on the house this last week and noticed that one of the windows has moisture between the panes, and it's the fixed panes. Does the window have to be replaced?

B200Driver · Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Douglasville, GA

Well, I suppose the window is still quite functional. Even good 2 pane windows have an R-Value of something like 3. So you're not loosing too much energy on that window in comparison to the others in your house.
If you're asking if there is any way to get the water out of there, the answer is no. If you can't live with the fogging, you'll have to replace it.

postvr8 · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 18 Location: SLC, UT

That's what I was afraid of.... thanks.

webmaster · Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:20 pm Post subject:

TH -

Call some local window repair people to get their opinion and an estimate, but my guess is that B200 is right! If there is moister in between panes then the seal is shot, and this usually happens when moister gets trapped under the bottom seal and then heaves and breaks the seal when it freezes. Though you don't have to replace the whole window! You can usually have the thermal panes replaced, especially if it's a vinyl or aluminum window.

I know you can get the Argon replaced (my in-laws had defective windows). They drill a little hole in the corner of the window, vacuum out the old stuff, and pump in new gas. This technique would get rid of current moister in between the panes, but I don't think it would fix your problem and you would eventually have moister back in there!

Give Julie a hug for me! Wink

postvr8 · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 18 Location: SLC, UT

There's just enough moisture in between the panes that just vacuuming it out won't solve the problem of dirty windows... now they have to be cleaned. They are vinyl windows, the quality appears good, except this one window in the dining room. It's the fixed panes too, not the movable ones. I'll let you know what the local window company says.

Julie sends her love, we sure miss the people of Mesaba.

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