Water, not just fogging, in Thermopane Windows. What2Do??

[terry]

The good news is I got 9 older aluminum frame double-hung windows to go in the barn I just built (garage, workshop etc).... Free!

The Bad News is that they were lying outside, flat on their backs, for a year, and most have water INSIDE the thermopane windows. Many have dripping, moving water, a couple are just fogged.

Has anyone tackled windows this bad???

These are the type that have an obvious gasket around the edges, and aluminum spacers about 1/4 inch thick.

I know I'll have to force dry air thru them somehow... So there seems to be 2 questions:

1. How to access the inside area: -- Drill thru side space after removing from frame (or thru frame??) ??? -- Drill thru the GLASS with appropriate drill.

I saw some Miracle System that has (is looking for) dealers etc, that appears to put a patch of some kind in the corner of the window, I assume ?? they drill holes....

1. Getting dry air: -- Buy tank of dry nitrogen or argon ?? Regulator etc.... Maybe I wanted a MIG welder?? -- Make a container for Silica Gel, and recycle it occasionally. -- Make a air dryer with an old refrigerator?? Hey, Shop Beer goes there too...

There's (almost) always an upside to every dumb thing that happens....

Any pointers, advice appreciated...

Regards, Terry King ...On The Mediterranean in Carthage (Back ...In The Barn In Vermont for the Summer)

[Joseph Meehan]

I don't believe there is any reasonable way to salvage theromopane windows once the seal have been broken. I suggest new glass.

BTW your storage methods need to be improved. :-)

[Abe]

Correct. The seals have been broken. There is no way to salvage them. You need new sealed glass units for the frames.

[ameijers]

Well, that is probably why they were free. Replacement glass panels will likely cost almost as much as new thermopane windows, unless they are a stock size.

Seeing as how this is a barn, do you really care if they are full double-pane insulating quality, or if they are a little foggy? You could lean them upright someplace in direct sun, and drill through the seal on the low end to drain the water. In a few days they would probably look okay enough for barn use. Double panes will provide some extra insulation, albeit not as much as 'dry air' filled ones. If you don't mind the fog in damp weather, good enough.

Now if you want them pretty, yes, you are looking at getting fresh glass. Usually best to take the frames into the glass shop and have them change them- even experts screw up the installs at times, and if you haven't done it before, you will likely hose up a couple doing it yourself.

aem sends...

[Joseph Meehan]

I don't know about where you are, but my local supplier does custom work very reasonably.

[Nonnymus]

If the fogging is a problem in the barn for you, pull the glass sandwich from the frames. Cut the panes apart with a razor knife and scrape off all the old sealant. Some desiccants, silica gel, can be regenerated by either nuking them in a microwave oven or oven placed on self clean. Others need a vacuum to be dried out. In either event, dump the old desiccant and try to regenerate it. If you can't, then go to a hobby store and buy a pound or two of new silica gel. It's used for drying flowers, for instance.

Refill the channels separating the glass sheets after you very thoroughly clean the glass. Silicone sealer will work for several years, but my own little "trick" is to cut aluminum foil to 2" wide and place it over the silicone sealer while it's still uncured. That is a REAL vapor barrier, IMHO. Pros use a 2-part polysulfide, but unless you can get a glass company to sell you some, along with a gun, you're out of luck there.

An alternative is to take the panes to a glass supply house and get a quote for cleaning and resealing by a pro.

Nonnymus

[nicksanspam]

A vacuum sounds more convenient, with a small stiff hose to a hole in the spacers between the panes that gets plugged up later? We might connect the other end of the hose to the top of a pressure cooker, after boiling a little water inside.

Nick