I need to conserve heat by hanging plastic on my windows, how do I prevent mold?
adoublej_2006 asked:
My family has several health problems( asthma, severe allergies and bronchitis), I need to hang plastic to conserve heat and lower my energy bills, but I am afraid of mold growing in the window sill. When hot and cold air meet on the plastic it begins to sweat, then the water gathers in the window sills, eventually growing mold. Is there anything I can do to prevent this form happening. I have considered putting the plastic on the outside on the windows, but I have vinyl siding and nothing I’ve tried will stick to the siding when it gets cold. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do to prevent the mold, or how to get the plastic hung outside without damaging the siding, please let me know, it’s getting cold and I need to get something done!
I am worried about the mold growing on the inside of the window sill, between the plastic and the window, once the plastic is hung, you can’t wipe up any condensation without tearing it down. what should I do?
Javier
My family has several health problems( asthma, severe allergies and bronchitis), I need to hang plastic to conserve heat and lower my energy bills, but I am afraid of mold growing in the window sill. When hot and cold air meet on the plastic it begins to sweat, then the water gathers in the window sills, eventually growing mold. Is there anything I can do to prevent this form happening. I have considered putting the plastic on the outside on the windows, but I have vinyl siding and nothing I’ve tried will stick to the siding when it gets cold. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do to prevent the mold, or how to get the plastic hung outside without damaging the siding, please let me know, it’s getting cold and I need to get something done!
I am worried about the mold growing on the inside of the window sill, between the plastic and the window, once the plastic is hung, you can’t wipe up any condensation without tearing it down. what should I do?
Javier
Tags: Condensation, Energy Bills, Health Problems
July 14th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Luella
Firstly before you hang the plastic make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the glass, sill and the frame and that it is perfectly dry.
Hang your plastic and periodically wipe it over with a solution of vinegar and water 50/50 with a drop of detergent added to it. If you do it on a weekly basis it should prevent any mold forming. If you should get any wipe over with bleach. Mop up any condensation as it forms and you shouldn’t have any problems.
July 14th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Gisela
First but the kits designed to fit windows. It has a special plastics that can be shrunk to size with a hand hair dryer. In my area the brand is called Frost King
Second this time of the year when the weather is cool to cold and humidity is low, there is very little change of any mold problem. And if mold does form it will be on the insde of the plastic, not the outside facing the room
Mike
July 17th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Leatha
You have to seal the plastic against the sill. I have used double face tape, with good results. You might also have to caulk your windows to seal the cold air from coming in. If there are no leaks, you won’t have a mold problem.
July 20th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Lowell
In my area there is a product called Draft Stop, in a caulking tube. Wash and toothbrush all the seams around the inside of the window, with a combination of bleach and TSP ( found in the paint dept of any hardware store ) Let those areas dry thoroughly a hair dryer will help. Then install your plastic window insulation. Come Spring the draftstop product just peels away. leaving no residue.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Millard
This might not help you but I’ll say it just the same as:
1) we get to minus 15 here sometimes, so it’s cold!
2) our house is 100 years old and its windows are original
3) we are not cold, nor do we have mold
4) we pay only $1500 each winter to get warm
how do we do it?
1) we have a wood stove
2) we burn a lot of wood, some of which we buy, some we find.
3) the place becomes dry, so no mold can form