During Winnipeg’s frigid winter months, the experience of having frost or ice encroach into your home’s interior is not an uncommon one. Indeed, for some, the sight of frost on windows may even be nostalgic!
Romantic notions of Jack Frost aside, ice buildup on and around windows is not simply something to accept or ignore. As a homeowner, it’s essential to be aware that this phenomenon can lead to aesthetic and structural damage that needs to be addressed proactively.
At Nisby Home Renovations, we’ve helped countless Winnipeg homeowners improve the efficiency of their homes while reducing or eliminating frost and ice buildup on windows. Below, we’ve taken a closer look at what causes ice buildup on windows and how to effectively mitigate the issue.
Key Takeaways
- Frost and ice buildup on windows is a common phenomenon in the winter months, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.
- If not properly addressed, ice buildup can cause damage to window frames, walls, finishes, window mechanisms, and more. In some cases, it can even crack or shatter a window pane!
- Mitigate ice buildup on windows by maintaining an ideal relative humidity range inside your home based on the temperature outside. Check gas appliances, repair plumbing leaks, maintain a warm indoor temperature, and keep rooms well-ventilated.
- Replace aging or damaged windows with help from the experts at Nisby Home Renovations to ensure greater home efficiency and reduce frost and ice buildup!
What Causes Ice Buildup On Windows?
Ice buildup on windows is caused by condensation—the process that occurs when water vapour in the air changes from gas to liquid. Warm interior air meeting a cold window with a surface temperature below the dew point (the temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapour), causes water vapour to condense into tiny water droplets and accumulate as fog or moisture on the window pane and nearby surfaces.
When outdoor temperatures dip below zero, liquid condensation freezes into tiny ice crystals, perpetuating the buildup of frost and ice. Because house windows typically have less insulation than walls, they are particularly prone to icing up during cold spells.
What Happens When Ice Builds Up?
Winter condensation on windows can range from frosty zigzags that appear on certain panes when moisture levels increase (during cooking activities or after showering, for instance) to severe ice buildup that continually obscures the view, spreads to nearby frames, sashes, or walls, and threatens to damage the aesthetic and structural integrity of your home.
Below, we’ve listed some of the problems that can arise when ice accumulates on and around windows over time:
- Continual thawing and freezing can lead to a buildup of liquid that causes wood window frames to warp, paint to crack, and finishes to become discoloured.
- Frost and ice accumulation can damage window mechanisms, including the locking system, the window seals, and more.
- Window frames and walls can be exposed to moisture that leads to the formation of mould and mildew.
- Moisture that seeps into poorly sealed window frames and subsequently freezes can lead to the cracking or even shattering of window panes!
Preventing Ice Buildup On Your Windows
Many factors can influence ice buildup on windows, including the age and construction of your house and the efficiency of your windows. That being said, reducing humidity within your home is one of the most critical aspects of keeping frost and ice at bay.
Relative humidity refers to the level of moisture in the air in relation to the maximum level of moisture the air can hold at a given temperature. The colder the temperature drops outside, the lower the relative humidity of the air inside your home will need to be in order to prevent condensation buildup on your windows. According to Health Canada, the inside air in your home should ideally have a relative humidity between 30%-35% in the winter months (potentially even lower during extreme cold snaps). Relative humidity can be measured with a hygrometer, a tool widely available at most hardware stores.
Simple adjustments such as covering boiling pots on the stove, using the bathroom fan when showering, and putting clothes in the dryer instead of hanging them on a line in the laundry room can contribute to lowering indoor humidity levels. Here are some other measures you can take to prevent ice from forming on the insides of your windows:
Check Your Gas Appliances
From furnaces and water heaters to gas fireplaces and cooktops, improperly operating gas appliances can lead to excess water vapour in the air and cause condensation issues.
Check And Repair Plumbing Leaks
Even small plumbing leaks, such as a dripping faucet, can lead to an increase in indoor humidity levels and the formation of ice on the inside of windows.
Use A Humidifier Properly
A humidifier can help prevent dryness and static electricity in your home, but be sure to monitor it carefully during the winter months to ensure that it is not contributing to humid air that exceeds relative humidity recommendations based on the temperature outside.
Maintain A Reasonably Warm Temperature
Maintaining a relatively warm temperature inside your home can help prevent condensation from turning into frost and ice.
Keep Your Rooms Ventilated
Proper ventilation promotes evaporation and helps prevent excess moisture from icing up windows in your home. Consider investing in a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), use exhaust fans when cooking or showering, and keep air ducts, HVAC filters, and exterior vents clean.
Can Ice Buildup Cause A Window To Break?
Yes. Under certain circumstances, water that seeps into window frames can freeze and expand, putting pressure on window panes and causing them to crack or even shatter. Are your windows at risk? Learn more here in our post titled “When To Repair A Window”.
Replacing old, leaky windows with new ones can be a game-changer in terms of increasing your home’s energy efficiency and decreasing or eliminating ice and frost buildup altogether. To learn more about window replacement in Winnipeg with the exterior renovation experts at Nisby Home Renovations, contact us directly today!
