You might have seen windows in commercial buildings or homes that seem to continuously show a haze or fog that cannot be wiped away. No matter how much the windows are cleaned, they still look foggy. Most owners of these plagued windows think they must replace the window or glass pane in order to have a clear view. Seeing a glass that is always hazed over in a commercial building makes the building less than attractive.
It could have a security issue as well since someone inside cannot see outside before opening a foggy glass door or front window pane. You may think the window is doomed and has to be replaced. This may not be true. There may be a way to clear the haze or fog away without replacement.
The cause
Most people wonder how a permanent fog could get into an insulated window since it is permanently sealed. Well...that is just the problem, the seal. Over time, outside temperatures change and the effects of the sun cause the glass pane to expand and contract. Even though this movement is extremely small, it can eventually weaken or rupture the seal between the glass panes. Once the seal is compromised, air leaks in between the panes bringing with it moisture which causes the fog or haze. Since it is captured between the two panes of glass, it cannot be wiped away.
Eventually, this moisture will permanently stain or may even etch the glass making it impossible to repair. This fact makes it essential that a property owner seek professional help to remove the moisture and seal the glass as soon as possible or otherwise the foggy glass will be permanent.
The repair
A professional trained glass technician can remove the captured moisture and use a special chemical to clean between the two glass panes. This process removes the moisture and cleans away the haze. Once this is done, the technician drills two small holes in opposite corners of the sealed unit to create a dual valve system. This dual valve system allows air to circulate between the two panes without the chance of moisture reentering the unit through the ruptured seal.
This is a much simpler and cost-effective way to fix a foggy glass sealed unit. You not only save money from replacement, but you are able to keep the glass unit out of the land field helping the environment at the same time. There are many ways to repair existing glass units in the home, the automobile and in commercial applications. Repairing a glass is always much cheaper than having to replace one.
