My double glazed window is steaming up. How can it be repaired?

Sue Kirby, July 2008

How fix upvc window steaming in side windiow

Fm, April 2013

We have a large double glazed pane c 900 x 1200mm that has steamed up. Why is it not possible to reuse the glass with new seals? (We are supposed to recycle/reuse, not throw away)

Chris Sc, May 2012

i have problem with steam window in living and bedroom trip grown mould on sill and wall now what i do with it?

mrs baldwin, February 2012

what has been said thus far is partly correct drilling 2 holes on its own will not solve the problem the unit needs to be cleaned the moisture evaporated and a polymer coating applied to the glass. The polymer coating is the key similar to that coating on skiing goggles or a bathroom mirror but applied in-situ. At the same time the spacer bar needs to be re-sealed to stop the now saturated silica beads from putting moisture back into the unit. All of this can be done for about 60% of the cost of a new unit. If this process is applied it carries a 20 years warranty which nobody will ever offer on a new unit. Councils and local authorities are now activelly using this solution to reduce their carbon footprint and at the same time save money. It's win win for them.

DD, September 2010

i have manufactured double glazed units for 25 years ,and i can tell you that these companies that claim to repair your steamed up double glazing by drilling holes in them ,are conmen!!!
once a dgu has failed , that means the seal has been compromised.
there is nothing short of gods intervention that will reseal a dgu !
it has to be replaced with a new unit .
nowadays units are made to last, as the sealants have moved on to hotmelt, which is more resiliant to moisture than the old two part rubber compounds. a normal dgu measuring 1000mm x 1000mm would cost no more than £25 to buy...in toughened about £35...in low e glass , about £30..and leaded add another £20 ....but i would recommend you get a small company to do it , as there is more to it than that ...like the correct size , the correct cavity , and the handling of course ...i usually charge no more than £100 to replace a unit 1 metre square

STEVE..07936460559, August 2010

Tradespeople will always suggest you buy a new unit.
There are many firms now who claim to get rid of the mist from between failing double-gazed windows: they do this by drilling two small holes ~ 3mm, one near the top and the other near the bottom of the outer pane. They then fit tiny grommets with a net filter.
It seems to me you have nothing to loose by trying something similar on your unit
Personally I would drill the two holes on the INSIDE and after a few days when the mist had disppeared, fit small nylon plugs to prevent contamination

GJK, September 2008

iv fixed units before but its a hassle,when the unit is removed you will see a coating of black rubber solution,this usualy cracks and lets the water in to cause condensation.on a property i was developing the budget didnt allow me to replace so i removed all the units strippd back part of the rubber and dried them out then reseald with black silicone,done the trick,if moneys not a problem replace it.

ron, July 2008

it is a failed unit and a replacement is needed. a 10yr guarantee is normally provided by the double glazing company so check on this

levi lewy, July 2008

sadly you cant repair a double glazed unit,you will have to replace it with a new one,the best way is to get a glazier in your area to do this as you have to mesure the unit correctly in height,width and thickness and with new regulations it may have to be toughened or energy efficient glass or both,then you have to replace it and its a bit tricky to do,so if you replace it and break it you will have to pay for another if a glazier breaks it it will be him who has to pay for it.hope this helps

shaun www.sdwupvcrepair.co.uk, July 2008