Wet water lines quickly lose their performance. Condensation on cold water pipes also affects the microclimate in the house, causing a musty, damp odor and the appearance of pathogens. It is important to know how to deal with fogging of communication branches in order to quickly solve the problem.
Causes of moisture condensation on pipes
There are several prerequisites for the appearance of wet drops. Most often they work in a complex. It is necessary to identify all the causes of fogging of pipelines and eliminate them. It is important to distinguish condensate moisture from normal leakage. Condensate moisture evenly covers the entire section of the pipe section, often over the entire length, and the leak is only of a local nature.
The cold water pipe in the bathroom or toilet is sweating due to the following factors:
- Temperature difference. The appearance of drops is typical for cold water supply lines, especially during winter cold weather. Due to the difference in temperature between the water flow inside the pipes and the air outside, moisture condenses.
- Poor ventilation. If the plumbing room is not forcibly ventilated, condensation will certainly appear on the wiring and riser. If the ventilation is weak, it will not save you from excess moisture. This often happens in private houses with improper assembly or even an exhaust system. You can control the work of the hood in the toilet by simply opening the door at night. The lack of moisture in the morning suggests that the problem is ventilation.
- Wrong wiring. When the hot water and cold water mains are placed very close to each other, condensation is inevitable. Hiding communications in the walls, under the floor or behind the ceiling only worsens the situation. The finish quickly becomes unusable, and the operational life of the entire pipeline is reduced.
- Breakdown of sanitary devices. Constant topping up of water in the toilet cistern due to a breakdown of the shut-off valves, a malfunction of the mixing device also provoke the formation of condensation. In this case, in addition to pipes, moisture appears on the tap and the details of the drain tank.
A common problem in apartments in multi-storey buildings is the occurrence of a leak in the neighbors on the riser from above. In this situation, droplets only build up on the top of the water pipe.
Air saturated with moisture can settle on the surface of water pipes. Steam from cooking in the kitchen and from hanging damp items after washing can be a source. Worst of all, if the excess humidity is associated with climatic features, the presence of large bodies of water near the building, or a violation of the technological standards for the construction of the building. In such situations, it is difficult to deal with excess moisture, it will not be possible to eliminate the problem, you will have to purchase a climate control system.
Identifying ways of condensation formation
To quickly get rid of condensation on pipes with cold water in an apartment or a private house, you need to find out the exact reason for its manifestation.
It is necessary to act according to the following algorithm:
- Check the ventilation. Bring a paper sheet to the opening of the hood and slightly open the window. With proper ventilation, the sheet should adhere to the grate.If this does not happen, the mine will have to be cleaned or refitted.
- Inspect shutoff valves, faucets, and toilet. Malfunctions in these parts of the water main can be easily noticed and repaired.
- Visit the neighbors upstairs. There may be a riser leak.
If no problem is found during the check, it is most likely that the droplets appear due to a temperature difference. If the temperature indicators of the water flow and the ambient air differ by more than 17 degrees, the occurrence of condensate moisture cannot be avoided. In this situation, it is necessary to install thermal protection on the cold water supply pipe.
Unpleasant consequences of fogging pipes
Condensation formed on a metal pipeline negatively affects it. With a significant concentration of moisture, the material can rust, which will disable the entire system.
The moisture on the pipes does not disappear on its own. It settles on the walls and flows downward, destroying the flooring. Laminate swells, linoleum grows moldy, tiles fall off, and paint and putty become covered with a network of cracks and peel off.
Water streams through the micro-slots get to the neighbors from below, which leads to the gulf of their housing.
In rooms with an excessive concentration of moisture, the risk of the growth of mold and fungal colonies increases. Constant human contact with them is dangerous, since it can cause organic disturbances. For people with strong immunity, the constant smell of dampness will also cause discomfort.
How to deal with the effects of temperature fluctuations
To minimize the effect of the temperature difference, it is necessary to insulate the cold water supply line. This can be done in several ways.
Materials for thermal insulation
- Expanded polystyrene. It is considered a universal insulating building material for polymer plumbing. It is produced in the form of a shell, which consists of two halves. Installing a heat insulator is pretty simple. Half the shells cover the pipe and fasten it with tape.
- Mineral wool for thermal insulation is sold in rolls. She is simply wrapped around the pipes, creating a protective casing.
- Polyurethane foam is characterized by increased insulating performance. It is applied to products during manufacture in a layer up to 50 millimeters thick.
- Foamed polyethylene - energoflex is produced in the form of cases that can be easily put on pipe sections. Longitudinal seams are glued or fastened with clamps.
Another option for insulation is a plastic pipe with a large section, which is put on the main one. The resulting gap is filled with polyurethane foam. When performing any work on the insulation of the pipeline, it will be necessary to completely dry the surface from the condensate that has appeared.
If you can't get the right materials, and the pipeline is sweating a lot, the insulation is made from scrap materials: old cotton sheets soaked in layers with epoxy putty. Before winding, the pipe is degreased and cleaned with emery.
Insulating compounds
To get rid of moisture droplets, the surface of the pipeline is treated with chemical compounds: "Stermizol", "Corundum", "Teplomett".
Correct application of insulating compounds:
- Clean the surface of the water supply system from dirt and rust.
- Apply a layer of adhesion primer and leave to dry.
- Using a roller, brush or spray, coat the surface with the mixture, preferably five coats. Each will take an hour to dry.
The service life of the water pipe covered with a heat insulator can be increased by a special fixer, which simultaneously gives decorative appeal.
Thermal insulation of the line also helps if the piping elements are located next to each other.
Quick ways to solve the problem
You can usually remove condensation from cold water pipes and other surfaces in the toilet by fixing the ventilation or repairing the tank. In the bathroom, the faucet needs to be repaired if it does not function well, or it needs to be replaced.
It is recommended to ventilate the premises more often, especially during cooking or washing.
If there is a leak from the neighbors on top, you can try to solve the problem amicably. If this does not work, or there are no neighbors, you can temporarily eliminate moisture using the folk method. For this, the section of the riser, on which the accumulation of condensate is detected, is wrapped in several layers of bandage, leaving one end free. It is placed in a reservoir, from where the accumulated water is systematically poured out.
Methods to help remove condensation permanently are only useful if repairs are available. If it is impossible, you will have to completely waterproof the walls and floor, as well as purchase an expensive climate control system.
