Condensation needs to be dealt with or managed if it cannot be entirely prevented.  Mold and mildew will use condensation to help them get established and grow, and this will create health issues as well as appear unsightly and will lead to rotten woodwork and damaged window frames.

You can reduce condensation by increasing ventilation and paying special attention to areas where condensation is always at risk f being formed – typically the kitchen and bathroom.  Make sure you use bathroom fans and kitchen extractors whenever you are bathing or cooking, and you will probably notice a distinct improvement immediately.  Using air conditioners will also cause the air to become less humid while making sure you enjoy a quick shower and only run full washing loads in your dishwasher and washing machines will also help.

If these measures do not help you with the issue, then it’s time to bring in an expert.

Sometimes you may experience condensation in your sealed window units, between the panes of glass which make up the assembly.  If you have this problem, you have a failed window unit and you will need to replace the glazing and possibly the entire unit.  Make sure your sealed windows carry a guarantee for at least 10 years – one good mark of quality is the IGCC – the Insulation Glass Certification Council.

First, you will need to get all of the necessary tools together. You will need:

• Heavy Gloves-You will need these when removing the broken window and the glass that may be embedded in the grooves
• Light Hammer-This will be used to tap the new glaze into the grooves around the new window
• Screwdriver or Chisel-Use to extract old putty that might be embedded in the grooves
• Sturdy Tweezers-These may be necessary to remove any leftover hard-to-reach glass chards
• Soldering Iron-This will be used to soften old putty for easier removal
• Sandpaper-Used to smooth the grooves after removing the old putty and glass
• Exterior Paint-You will need this to touch-up any cracked paint and to use as a base after removing the old putty and broken window
• Glazing Compound-This will be brushed into the grooves before replacing the new pane
• Putty Knife-This can be used to embed and smooth the glazing compound around the window frame

It should be noted that you can cut the glass yourself. When doing so, you will need additional tools to include a workspace, a sturdy piece of plywood, a Ralter square, a hardware strip, and a glass cutter. However, most home improvement stores offer free glass cutting if you purchase the glass at their store. If you choose to do this, you will need the exact dimensions of the glass. A general rule of thumb is to measure the inside of the window frame and order the glass to be cut 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch smaller than the interior window dimensions.

The first step is removing the broken glass from the frame while wearing heavy gloves. You will need to remove any old putty at this point. If the putty is difficult to remove soften it using the soldering iron. You should be able to pry the remaining putty out of the grooves with a screwdriver or chisel. Be careful not to damage the grooves.

After the glass and putty are removed clean the window frame and coat with thinned exterior paint. After the paint is completely dry, apply a layer of glazing compound onto the grooves on all sides to help reinforce the window. Carefully place the window into the frame.

Now take the screwdriver or chisel and gently push the glaze halfway down into the groove every few inches of the frame. Take some fresh glazing compound and mold into a string about ½ inch wide, and press onto the interior all away around the window. Before the glaze dries, take the putty knife and press the glaze down around the edge. This should make a nice visual finish. Wait for at least a week then paint the window and the glaze, being careful not to paint the window shut, for further re-enforcement.

Replacing a window is not very difficult or time consuming and doing so will help lower electric bills. Now might be a good time to consider weather stripping while you are at it.