Can you get rid of fog between window panes yourself?
Not in a way that lasts. The space between the panes is sealed, so you cannot reach it to dry it. A hair dryer, a drilled hole with a straw or a defog kit may clear the fog for a while, but the seal stays broken and the moisture returns. Replacing the sealed glass unit is the lasting fix.
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What the home fixes actually do
- Hair dryer: warms the glass so the fog turns to vapor. It returns when the glass cools, and uneven heat can crack a pane.
- Drilling and a straw: lets some moist air out, but leaves a hole in a unit built to be sealed.
- Defog kits: dry and plug the gap. The view may clear, but the edge seal is still failed.
Cleaning the inside of a double pane window means taking the unit apart, which ends its seal for good.
Never drill tempered glass
Windows near doors, tubs and floors are often tempered safety glass. The National Glass Association’s glazing manual states that heat-strengthened and fully tempered glass cannot be cut, drilled or edged after it has been heat-treated. Try it and the whole pane can shatter. Not sure what you have? Send us a photo. For a fogged sliding door, read fogged patio door glass: replace the glass or the door, or see how foggy window repair works.
Related questions
- Can foggy windows be repaired?
- Will condensation between window panes go away?
- Why do double pane windows fog up between the panes?
- How much does it cost to fix a foggy window?
- Does homeowners insurance cover a broken window seal?
- If one window is foggy, do I need to replace all of them?
- All glass repair questions
Rather skip the drill?
Send us a photo for a free estimate, or call (202) 600-6220.