Problems with windows?

[jrypka]

This might be a silly question, but can burning a woodstove cause window seals to go out? When we moved into our house, all the windows were good, but now almost all of them have lost their seal and have condensation in them. I was told that burning a woodstove in a fairly tight house can cause that. Is that possible?

Thanks!

 

[tfdchief]

Can't imagine why or how burning a wood stove wood damage the seal on a window anymore than any other type of heat. I would ask whomever told you that, what is it that causes the damage, specifically.

 

[jdinspector]

I would highly doubt it. Are they vinyl windows by any chance? I see lots of problems with vinyl windows and bad seals (I inspect homes for a living). Very common problem, but I can't relate it to a woodstove or fireplace. How old are the windows? They might be under warranty.

 

[BrotherBart]

When we moved into our house, all the windows were good...

How long ago was that?

 

[fossil]

How old are the windows? What manufacturer made them? Who installed them? Where do you live (what year-round climate do your windows experience)? I can't imagine any situation in which a wood stove would be responsible for the failure of window seals...but then I'm quite sure I can't imagine every possible situation. I suppose that if they're really crappy windows, the temperature difference between inside & out, changing all the time every year with the seasons, might contribute to a failure...but if that's the case then the specific source or nature of the interior heating in the winter (or cooling in the summer) doesn't matter. I'd be more inclined to blame the windows than the wood stove. Rick

ETA: Then, again, you really haven't told us much about your location, your home, your stove, or your windows...so we're just guessing here.

 

[jrypka]

The windows were installed in 1997. We moved into the house in 2006 and there was one or two bad seals. After the first winter, they all were bad. They are vinyl windows, not an entry grade, but not a premium grade...just middle of the road vinyl windows. The previous owners only used the woodstove occasionally. We use it all the time. We live in Alaska. Specifically, I was told that the negative air pressure from the draft was enough to pop the seals, but the more I think about it I don't think that is right because the dryer and bathroom vents all draw more air than the woodstove.

 

[Ashful]

Maybe you're running the bathroom vents too often.

 

[Don2222]

This might be a silly question, but can burning a woodstove cause window seals to go out? When we moved into our house, all the windows were good, but now almost all of them have lost their seal and have condensation in them. I was told that burning a woodstove in a fairly tight house can cause that. Is that possible?

Thanks!

Do you have an OAK (Outside Air Kit) on your wood stove?

 

[jrypka]

If you were here, you'd know why the bathroom vents run as often as they do!

No, I do not have an OAK for the stove.

 

[Ashful]

Do you have an OAK (Outside Air Kit) on your wood stove?

Not sure why an OAK would matter, or if you're implying the use of one would alleviate some negative pressure generated by the stove, thus preventing the seal failure. The amount of negative pressure generated by a stove should pale in comparison to the pressure seen by those window seals on any windy day in March.

As to why the seals failed, maybe it was just their time? The windows are 1997 vintage. Would you expect one hundred identical objects manufactured on the same date and installed in the same environment to fail around the same time, or at wildly sporadic times?

 

[firebroad]

As stated, there is no reason why a woodstove would cause window failure. That being said, I have had several windows fail over the years, something that cannot be helped. If you don't have a warranty, which it sounds like you don't, and the rest of the window parts are sound, there are companies that will remove the panes from the window and replace with identical glass, double, triple, whatever you have, at a fraction of the cost of a new window.

 

[Don2222]

Not sure why an OAK would matter, or if you're implying the use of one would alleviate some negative pressure generated by the stove, thus preventing the seal failure. The amount of negative pressure generated by a stove should pale in comparison to the pressure seen by those window seals on any windy day in March.

As to why the seals failed, maybe it was just their time? The windows are 1997 vintage. Would you expect one hundred identical objects manufactured on the same date and installed in the same environment to fail around the same time, or at wildly sporadic times?

I agree, the windows are old.
I have an OAK on my pellet stove and My Oil Boiler. I think between the two, they create alot of negative pressure!