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Old 18-01-2004, 03:32 PM
Trent-Lion
 
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Default Condensation in twinwall polycarbonate channels

I, a rank amateur and non-handy person, am trying to restore an old GH
with aluminum frame. I replaced the glass with twinwall polycarbonate
sheets. The frame has a groove in the bottom where the glass used to
fit and into which I fitted the poly. I could see no way to allow for
drainage at the bottom of the sheets. Both ends of the sheets are
tightly sealed with caulk, and I put more caulk at the bottom, to help
the sheets slide into the frame groove and to seal the juncture of
sheet and frame.

Now most channels of the poly look fine and clear, but a lot of them
stay cloudy from moisture (making for an unsightly appearance), and in
some channels several inches of water has collected at the bottom.

I don't understand why the channels are behaving differently. But more
importantly, am I stuck with this condensation/water problem forever,
because I sealed both ends of the channels with caulk? All I can see to
do to remove the water is drill a small hole at the bottom of the
affected channels and let the water drain out or perhaps pull it out
with a hypodermic syringe. Or perhaps the water will evaporate when hot
weather comes.

The weather in north FL where I am located has varied from the 30s to
about 70 since I installed the sheets. Will the problem get better or
worse when hot weather comes?

Thanks for help.