Help! There is ice in my condo!!! (Chicago: hardwood floor, apartment)

[fozzy40]

Hello,

I just recently bought a condo in downtown Chicago. The south side of our unit has a great view of the city i.e. a big sliding glass door that is surrounded by more window. Since the temperature has dropped, I've been noticing a fair amount of condensation forming on the inside of our unit. I expected some of that because of the hugh temperature gradient. However, there is literally ice forming on the inside framing of the sliding glass door. I've have to put towels at the base of the windows and sliding glass door because the condensation has been dripping and ruining my hardwood floor adjacent to the window.

I spoke with my building supervisor who said that there is probably a leak and that I have to caulk the outside of the window frame. However, since it's so cold that the caulk will not adhere. That being said, they said that I have to basically deal with the towel solution until it gets warm enough to do something about it.

Is condensation like this typical for Chicago condos? What have people's experiences been with this.

Thank you.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by fozzy40

...Since the temperature has dropped, I've been noticing a fair amount of condensation forming on the inside of our unit....

I spoke with my building supervisor who said that there is probably a leak and that I have to caulk the outside of the window frame. However, since it's so cold that the caulk will not adhere. That being said, they said that I have to basically deal with the towel solution until it gets warm enough to do something about it...

Umm it was warm enough to caulk it today.

[Drover]

When it gets really cold outside, it's not uncommon for frost to form on the inside of a single-pane window, but not anywhere near enough that towels are anywhere close to necessary. Sounds to me like the super is right -- what you're probably experiencing is runoff from melting snow leaking through an improperly sealed window frame.

[fozzy40]

My condo association is basically saying that the problem is internal versus external. They also say that the windows and the framing fall under their definition of "limited common element" therefore not their financial responsibility. Thoughts?

[Avengerfire]

My thoughts are you should caulk it tomorrow.

Caulk does not cost that much. Worry about who will pay for it later.

Caulk will adhere if temps are above 40 degrees.Of course the warmer the better, but you can do it now as a temporary fix. Just make sure you dry out the areas that are wet first.

[Basekamp]

This happened to me in several cities, in different units. It is when condensation forms and then freezes on the inside of your window. It is absolutely harmless, and it has more to do with a new and perfectly working forced air heating system than anything that could be wrong with your house.

[Basekamp]

ahh, about the dripping. Get a dehumidifier. if it is literally dripping that the moisture is somehow staying in your apartment whereas it gets sucked out in most people's places I am moderately concerned to see if the air is getting out of your unit correctly. This does not sound like a leak to me yet...

[Thepreacherswife]

If you have forced air heat, it might have a humidifier. If so, you need to turn down the humidity level on really cold days.

[fozzy40]

Here are some pictures.

Please let me know if this is typical.

[Avengerfire]

The door and windows might be poorly designed (for severe winter conditions.) You must remember that some of the days of cold we have had this winter were pretty extreme.

You need to do that caulking.

Did you buy this condo new from the builder?