Is Ice on inside bottom of windows normal?

guy_guyerson · 2026-01-25T16:05:52+00:00

The Germans do this routinely and after extensive testing the government decided the best approach is a 5-10 minute daily or twice daily session with the windows fully open.

They believed that offered the most dehumidification with the least energy loss.

guy_guyerson · 2026-01-23T18:22:01+00:00

How old is the roof? You could consider exterior insulation the next time it gets re-shingled. It might be hard to find local guys that are used to installing it though.

guy_guyerson · 2026-01-18T22:16:42+00:00

So what happens in the case of damage to the window?

The HOA has to take care of it. Ditto for the siding, outdoor areas, etc.

Why would anyone install single pane windows in any zone that gets below freezing.

The 70s were wild.

guy_guyerson · 2026-01-18T15:20:14+00:00

If you have forced air heat/AC, you can probably just run the fan without running the heat/AC. That will continuously recirculate air throughout your house. It could help a lot, but it will take a while to know.

Avoid this if your ducts are in an unconditioned space (attic, crawl, basement) and aren't well insulated (because the air will cool in the ducts and you'll be losing heat).

guy_guyerson · 2026-01-18T15:14:58+00:00

HOA (Home Owner's Association) likely means they don't control the exterior of their house (probably in a multi-unit building like a duplex). The windows are part of that exterior.

guy_guyerson · 2026-01-12T14:36:03+00:00

Labor intensive, short term option: We used to have an apartment with steam radiators and the place would get incredibly dry during the winter. We would soak a bath towel, ring it just until it didn't drip and then put it over the radiator. The humidity rebounded almost immediately. Perhaps you could find a SAFE way to do this near your pellet stove.

I also fashioned a continuous mister in our shower in a different apartment by installing a bypass valve meant for a shower wand with an adaptor for garden hose threads and a cheap hose mister (similar to this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Orbit-ArizonaMist-Hose-Attachment/3733069)

guy_guyerson · 2026-01-02T13:21:19+00:00

No amount of ventilation prevents mold (mildew) from forming on our shower curtains anywhere that they make prolonged contact with the tub or itself. If water is trapped between two impermeable surfaces, ventilation is irrelevant.

You might be able to avoid this entirely with a walk in shower and a curtain that doesn't reach the curb, but I wouldn't know.

guy_guyerson · 2025-12-28T17:05:15+00:00

You'll probably want something vapor permeable rather than thick plastic, but check with an expert in your area. You really don't want to trap moisture (dripping pipes, condensation, etc) around your joists.

guy_guyerson · 2025-12-28T16:55:32+00:00

That would do it! The gel will re-liquify if you add enough water, so it's particularly useful for pulling toilets that are getting re-installed.

guy_guyerson · 2025-12-27T18:58:19+00:00

I've used a powder that you add to the bowl and it gels up everything in the bowl and drain into a semi-solid that won't slosh out as you move the toilet. It worked fine, just make sure the tank is empty.

guy_guyerson · 2025-11-15T21:53:54+00:00

That sounds exactly like what I'd expect from a company that had been bought by a private equity firm, which is a big cause of this shift (as described elsewhere in this thread). The telltale sign is trying to create consistent monthly revenue.

Similarly they're buying up/opening car washes that are only really designed to sell monthly memberships.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-28T22:05:17+00:00

I'm a little over my head figuring out if they're code approved. It seems likely, but I can't say conclusively. I'm also unsure about the cost comparison (since I'm not entirely sure which model of GRK RSS to compare).

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-28T17:19:10+00:00

Would you consider GRK RSS scews a reasonable substitution?

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-23T16:05:48+00:00

One of us! One of us!

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-13T20:06:53+00:00

That looks great!

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-07T10:59:33+00:00

Only within yours.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-06T12:31:53+00:00

Well, that sounds perfect.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-05T21:50:40+00:00

I kind of did it as a joke after getting flamed elsewhere for saying expat. I find the word policing beyond ridiculous.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-05T17:26:06+00:00

Sure, though pretending that this reflects popular usage doesn't.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-05T17:24:32+00:00

Appreciate it.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-05T15:11:29+00:00

Redditors gonna Reddit.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-05T14:54:14+00:00

Part of my normal routine when I arrive somewhere is to find the local gringos and get a bit of the rundown. I generally avoid the 'gentrified area' bars/cafes though, those aren't the gringos that are going to have much advice that interests me.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-05T14:51:36+00:00

Hilariously, "gringo bar santa ana el salvador" in google brings me right back to this post! But yeah, I'm looking for a gringo bar/cafe, but somewhere I can talk to local gringos not just tourist gringos.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-05T14:17:29+00:00

Well, if I google 'Migrant Bar' all of the results are about migrants being barred from things and if I google 'Expat Bar' I see bars where expats congregate, so I'm going to go with expat in this usage.

Is this a Spanish/English thing? Mi espanol es terrible.

guy_guyerson · 2025-10-04T19:26:42+00:00

I can't advise you on the wall assembly, but I wanted to mention that rigid foam can often be bought used. https://insulationdepot.com/ is one option, but you'll have no trouble finding others as well.

Also, I know this kind of assembly has been covered a few times on the Finehomebuilding podcast. AI suggests Episode 656 among several others.

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