Condensation on cold water pipes. How to get rid of condensate on cold water pipes: useful tips and effective methods

When condensation forms on cold water pipes, an experienced plumber will always tell you what to do. But there are times when it is not possible to seek the help of a professional, so it is important to know why this phenomenon occurs and how to deal with it.

Causes of condensation

Moisture can appear on both metal and plastic surfaces. The reasons that cause it are equally eliminated, regardless of So the accumulation of condensate contributes to:

• poor or no ventilation at all;
• stagnant water;
• faulty plumbing;
• temperature difference;

If condensation is found on the cold water pipes, what should be done immediately. An unresolved problem causes not only aesthetic unsightliness, but can also damage pipes.

Excess moisture can appear due to a sharp temperature drop and excessive humidity. To eliminate the trouble, it is necessary to establish a ventilation system, and after taking a bath, leave the door open to ventilate the room.

In the toilet, a common cause of "weeping" pipes is the leakage of water in the tank. The mechanism is simple: the water is constantly updated and does not have time to warm up to room temperature. Thus, the pipe remains cold, and the room is warm. The result is excess moisture.

Consequences of unresolved condensate

In places where, as a rule, the humidity of the air is always high. But if the indicators go beyond the critical level, then unpleasant consequences are possible for both pipes and living people.

• Formation of mold and fungus. When condensation is constantly present on plastic pipes, water droplets flow down the walls and onto the floor. As a result, a favorable environment is formed for the development of pathogenic bacteria, which threatens the appearance of mold. In conditions of constant humidity, the fungus begins to multiply intensively and then it will be very difficult to get rid of it.

• Property damage. Constant contact with water surely spoils all the things in the room. Metal pipes quickly rust, plastic pipes lose their consumer properties. Ceramic tiles may eventually fall off, and paint and putty may crack.

To avoid this, you need to know how to remove condensate from cold water pipes and fix the problem in time.

Finding out the cause of the problem

Before you fight against drops of water on the pipes, you need to figure out why they appear. To eliminate condensate on cold water pipes, what to do in such cases is determined by the cause of its occurrence.

If this is a leak, then at night, when the movement of water stops, you can hear a quiet drip. Therefore, it is worth finding a place for water to flow, eliminate it and the problem with condensate will be solved by itself.

If moisture accumulates on the tank hose and parts of the system close to it, the problem is most likely in the system of the tank itself. Due to the constant presence and relatively warm room, condensation forms. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a drainage system.

When all systems are working properly, the plumbing is in order, you need to check the ventilation. It is enough to attach a sheet of paper to the vent and if it falls, clean it immediately. It often happens that this measure alone is enough to completely prevent the problem.

In the summer, when the room is hot, and cold water is let through the pipes, condensate is an indispensable attribute. In this case, it will help to eliminate too sharp a temperature difference between the outside air and the water in the pipes. Dehumidifiers may help.

Problem with piping

When the cause of droplets on the pipes is a plumbing malfunction or poor ventilation, then it is clear to any layman what to do. But what if the source is a technical reason. Often in apartments, hot and cold water pipes run in excessive proximity to each other. Under such conditions, it is clear why condensate appears on the pipes again and again, despite the good exhaust and serviceability of all systems.

If the wiring is in the public domain, you should definitely take care of thermal insulation. But in the case when the network is hidden, you will need the help of a specialist who will decide the wiring geometry. Either way, major repairs are needed.

Thermal insulation material is used both special and made from improvised materials. Ordinary corrugation and polyurethane foam will do. At the same time, the corrugation is cut to the required size and put on problem areas. Where there are unfilled spaces, polyurethane foam helps out.

If plastic pipes "cry"

When the house is laid, the question of how to get rid of condensate is solved as follows:

1. It is advisable to replace the conventional hood with a built-in fan.
2. Carry out insulation measures using special tubes with an incision. They are easy to purchase at any plumbing or hardware store. These tubes are made of polyethylene, energy flex and effectively protect the pipes. the main condition for their use is the thorough preparation of pipes so that they are completely dry.
3. In the case of a plastic line, the problems of "weeping" can be radically solved if they are treated with a projector primer. After complete hardening, they can be painted with oil paint. This method is suitable if there is an unrecoverable, constant and sharp temperature difference in the room.

Please note that cold water pipes can be coated with any enamel, and the hot water supply system can only be painted with oil paint.

We get rid of moisture on metal pipes

The problem with metal systems is no less acute because excessive moisture threatens to form corrosion and complete wear of pipes. Therefore, if condensate appears on the cold water pipes, we will describe in detail what to do:

1. The pipes are cleaned of rust, completely dried and covered with oil paint.
2. Carbolate, a pasty substance, treats all kinds of cracks in the floor and walls. After complete hardening, it is also covered with oil paint.
3. The entire waterway is treated with a projector primer, and then coated with enamel.

It should be remembered that the problem of condensate is often quite difficult to solve, so it is better to prevent its occurrence than to deal with the consequences later.

Experts who often encounter "weeping" pipes have gained a lot of experience in preventing the problem in the bud.

It should be purchased at the Gofroterm plumbing store. The substance is applied to the entire surface of the pipes, resulting in a strong and elastic base that prevents the accumulation of moisture.

Liquid thermal insulation also brings a good effect. It is applied to completely dry pipes and prevents sudden temperature changes that cause condensation to form.

With a large difference between the temperature of the air and the supplied water, it is necessary to insulate the pipes. The most effective and suitable material for these purposes is which is sold at any hardware store at an affordable price. The material is fixed with a clamp and ordinary wire.

You can eliminate fogging by the proposed methods, but which method to choose must be decided after the exact cause is established.

Wet pipes in a private house

Condensation on the pipes in a private house is mainly formed due to an insufficient ventilation system. Therefore, if the house is only under construction, you should immediately take care of a strong hood. Before installing the pipeline, it must be thermally insulated. It is especially worth paying attention to this if the pipes for hot and cold water supply are located in close proximity.

An inadequate system is a common cause of condensation. Therefore, in order to avoid problems with this factor, it is worth paying attention to this.

For diagnostics, specialists are involved, who, if necessary, will carry out cleaning. If the problem is not solved, you will have to mount an additional channel for the hood. The ventilation system in a private house often allows you to do this without much damage and high costs.

Pipe insulation

All pipes in the house should be insulated. For these purposes, specialized materials are purchased. But you can use improvised means and rid the house of constantly wet pipes.

A regular plastic tube is cut lengthwise and put on the problem area. The space between the pipes is filled with mounting foam.

It is easy to secure a metal pipe with an old rag. To do this, we get rid of rust, dry the pipe and wrap it with rags.

Condensation can almost always be observed on cold water pipes. This phenomenon not only spoils the appearance of the bathroom to some extent, but can cause serious problems. Constantly wet tubular elements have a limited service life.

Therefore, such a problem should be solved very quickly. In this case, questions arise about what to do if drops of water are found on the pipeline and how to remove condensate from cold water pipes. First, there is no need to over-dramatize the situation. Secondly, you need to familiarize yourself with all the methods for eliminating this problem. Thirdly, choose the most optimal option and put it into practice.

Causes of condensation

Condensation on cold water pipes can appear for the following reasons:

• The presence of a source of high humidity in the room.
• Insufficient ventilation.
• Water supply pipes have poor quality thermal insulation.
• Temperature changes. For this reason, in the summer, there may be a stronger formation of condensate, which simply flows down the surface of the pipes.

The main part of the reasons for the formation of condensate does not require explanation. As for the first item from the list, some clarifications are required.

Sources of high humidity include the following:

• Problems arising in the process of functioning of communication systems and buildings. These can be steam from cooking, evaporation from wet laundry, a flooded basement, a pipe failure, and a clogged vent.
• Defects in the building resulting from a violation of construction technology.
• Geographical features of the region: the proximity of large bodies of water or high levels of humidity in combination with rocky soil, which contributes to the formation of condensate.
• Unfavorable natural phenomena: sleet, prolonged rains or humid climate of the area.

Prerequisites for the appearance of condensate on cold water pipes

In most cases, condensate appears on pipes located in bathrooms. Despite the specifics of these rooms, it is not only for this reason that the pipes become wet.

There are a number of factors that can cause condensation to form on the pipes in a toilet:

• Insufficient ventilation. To determine that condensation appears precisely because of this, it is enough to leave the doors to the toilet open at night. If the pipeline turns out to be dry in the morning, then you should repair the ventilation system and make it better.
• Constant flow of water in the tank due to a malfunction of the valve. This leads to the fact that the pipeline begins to cool, resulting in a greater accumulation of condensate on its surface. A simple repair of the inlet valve and tank taps will help fix the problem.
• Leak in the toilet of the neighbors living on the top floor. In this case, you need to inform the owners about the situation. In their absence, you can temporarily eliminate the condensate with your own hands. To do this, the section of the pipeline, on which the accumulation of water drops is found, is wrapped with a bandage in several layers and one end of the winding is lowered into a container, the accumulated water is regularly poured out. See also: "".

The accumulation of water on the cold water pipes in the bathroom can occur in the following situations:

• Incorrect location of the water supply system. If the pipes of hot and cold water supply pass close enough to each other and do not have thermal insulation, then accumulation of water droplets is observed on the elements through which cold water flows. The way out of this situation is to ensure high-quality thermal insulation of pipe elements using suitable materials.
• Mixer failure. If water constantly drips from the tap, the overall temperature of the working medium decreases, which leads to cooling of the pipes and the formation of condensate on their surface. Repairing the mixer will help solve the problem.

How to remove condensate, how to wrap pipes

For those who have encountered such a phenomenon, the question immediately arises of how to wrap the pipe so that there is no condensate. There are several ways to prevent the appearance of water droplets on the surface of cold water supply pipes, one of which is thermal insulation. This option is considered the most effective, as it eliminates the cause of their appearance - a temperature drop. The easiest and fastest way to resolve the issue is by means of an insulating tube, cutting it lengthwise for convenient placement. For the manufacture of the tube, polyethylene foam, energy flex or thermoflex is used.

There is another way to deal with condensate on tubular elements, but it is considered more complicated. Using this option requires the following materials: epoxy putty, acetone, rust remover, sanding paper, spatula, nylon thread and strips of fabric about 5 cm wide.

The process looks like this:

• The pipe is cleaned with sanding paper to improve surface adhesion.
• Degrease the skinned area with acetone.
• The surface is treated with a rust remover and allowed to dry (read also: "").
• A thick epoxy putty is applied to the pipe and wrapped with strips of fabric. The edges are fixed with a thread.
• Another layer of putty is applied on top and again wrapped with a cloth.
• Cover the fabric with putty and leave to dry completely.
• After all layers have dried, the pipe is sanded and painted.

In the event that drops of water appear as a result of a malfunction of the plastic pipeline, you can independently replace the damaged section of the pipeline with a new elbow. Metal pipelines can only be replaced by plumbers with special equipment and skills.

To prevent condensation on plastic cold water pipes, the following types of insulating materials are recommended:

• Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene is considered a universal insulation for pipelines made of polymeric materials. It comes in the form of a shell, consisting of two halves. They are connected to each other by means of a tongue-and-groove lock. The use of such insulation is quite simple: the shell halves are put on the pipe and fixed with adhesive tape.
• Mineral wool for pipeline insulation is produced in rolls, which greatly simplifies the use of this material.
• Polyurethane foam refers to heaters with high insulating characteristics. The temperature range of such a material is quite wide, from -160 0 C to +150 0 C. Almost all polypropylene pipes have such a layer, it is formed on products during the production process. In this case, the thickness of the insulation reaches 5 cm.

Chemical elements that help get rid of condensate

Products of the chemical industry help to protect cold water supply pipes from condensate formation: Stermizol, Korund, Teplomett and others.

The use of these insulating compounds implies the following actions:

• The pipe is cleaned of dirt and rust.
• Apply a layer of primer for better adhesion of the insulation to the surface and leave to dry.
• Using a roller, brush or spray, cover the surface with a protective mixture. The most effective is the application of 5 layers of insulation, and each layer must dry well before the next application. The optimal drying time for such mixtures is about 1 hour.
• A special fixer helps to extend the service life of a heat-insulated pipeline, which in parallel will make the pipes more attractive.

Which method to use to deal with condensate on cold water pipes depends on the reasons for the formation of this phenomenon and the specific operating conditions. It is very important to consider how often the problem occurs, as well as at what stage it is.

Condensate drain - condensate trap

To remove the formed condensate in automatic mode, a float-operated condensate trap is used. This device is installed at the outlet of the apparatus that provides heat exchange, including water heaters and heaters. Through such a technical device, the water accumulated in the system simply evaporates.

Steam traps fall into three main groups:

• Combined devices.
• thermostatic.
• Float.

The operation of float type steam traps is based on the use of the difference between the density of condensate and steam. These devices are very popular due to the large number of positive characteristics.

The main advantages of this type of device are the following:

• High degree of reliability.
• Excellent performance figures.
• Possibility of work at the minimum loadings.
• No need for condensate cooling.
• Resistant to sudden temperature changes.
• Uninterrupted operation under increased loads.

It is also impossible not to note the optimal energy saving indicators of thermal systems with float-type steam traps.

To deal with condensate, you can choose any of the following methods. In most cases, their use helps to eliminate unwanted moisture. If these options are not effective enough, it is possible to get rid of the formation of condensate on cold water pipes by waterproofing all surfaces of the room. High-quality performance of this type of work is possible only with special knowledge and skills.

Why does condensation appear on cold water pipes, what to do in this case? Condensation is a common problem, and it can appear on both metal and plastic pipelines. At first glance, the problem is insignificant, but over time it causes a lot of trouble in the form of rust, mold and an unpleasant smell. That is, you still need to get rid of the condensate. To do this, you need to find out the reasons for its occurrence. Why do pipes sweat?

Why does condensation appear on cold water pipes

Most often, you can observe condensation on the pipes in the toilet. One of the reasons is a water leak in the tank. The water is constantly changing and does not have time to warm up, hence the humidity. We get rid of the leak in the tank - this reason will disappear.

Sometimes puddles appear at the riser from excessive moisture. This means that the neighbors living above have a leak in the tank. At night, listen to the murmur of water in the sewer, and you will immediately understand everything.

Condensation also forms due to high humidity and temperature changes. Good ventilation is essential to avoid condensation. To get started, just leave the toilet door open overnight, you may find a dry pipe in the morning.

The reason is obvious - the ventilation duct is clogged. Unscrew the grate on the ventilation duct and clean everything very well. A draft should appear in the ventilation duct.

In the event that there is ventilation, but it does not cope with the problem, you can install an exhaust fan. It attaches in place of the ventilation grille and you turn it on as needed.

The choice of fans in modern building supermarkets is huge, for every taste and at any price. Recently, the installation of such fans in toilets and bathrooms is very common.

How to fix the problem of condensation

How to get rid of condensation on the pipes in the bathroom? The pipes in the bathroom are also sweating. The reason may be the same. Condensation on the riser - neighbors have problems with plumbing. The pipeline that supplies water to your plumbing gets wet - the faucet does not work well. The lack of a hood, as in the first case, exacerbates the problem.
If hot and cold water systems are very close to each other, fogging cannot be avoided.

It is necessary to make thermal insulation of pipes, this is an excellent protection that will allow you to remove condensate.

Often, condensation forms on the pipes in the bathroom due to a malfunction of the faucet. Leakage of water contributes to their cooling. There is only one way out - repair of the crane!

How to get rid of condensation? Completely get rid of fogging of pipes will allow insulation for pipes. It is necessary to isolate cold water pipes from interaction with the external environment. There are special thermal insulation materials, using which you will save pipes from condensate. You just need to buy such material and insulate the pipelines. The abundance of such materials in the construction materials market is very large.

In the event that you prefer a budget option to eliminate moisture on the pipes, and do not plan to purchase expensive thermal insulation material, you can use other ways. It is necessary to purchase a cylinder of mounting foam and a plastic pipe or corrugation, the diameter of which exceeds the diameter of the pipe with condensate. The corrugation or pipe is cut into pieces so that you can put them on the problem pipe, then put them on and fill the voids with mounting foam.

There is another budget option for getting rid of condensate. You will need sandpaper to remove rust and acetone to degrease the problem surface well after that. It is best to treat the pipeline with phosphoric acid and then apply a layer of epoxy putty on it so that it does not drain.

Then immediately wrap the pipeline with previously prepared strips of fabric so that the material is saturated with putty. You can use an old sheet by cutting it into pieces that look like bandages. Putty with fabric will quickly harden.

You can do this several times in the same way. The work ends with the application of finishing putty. It will look aesthetically pleasing if the putty is sanded and coated with water-based paint of the color you need.

In most cases, thermal insulation of pipes solves the problem of condensate, but sometimes the humidity level in a house or apartment is so high that waterproofing of the floor and walls is necessary.

Condensation appearing on the pipeline is a frequent phenomenon. This does not make the bathroom more attractive, but rather, it becomes a problem. Wet pipes fail much faster, humidity also rises and mold begins to form. The issue needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. What to do if the cold water pipes start to fog up and condensation begins to form? First of all - do not panic, any problems in the operation of your bathroom must be eliminated. You just need to familiarize yourself with the ways to deal with unwanted moisture and get down to business.

Causes of condensation

Residents of apartment buildings often encounter such a phenomenon as a “sweating pipe” with cold water. The causes of occurrence may be different. The nature of the appearance of water droplets on the pipes in the bathroom and in the toilet is slightly different. In a combined bathroom, the main reasons are:

Often the cause of condensation in the bathroom is poor ventilation.

• insufficient;
• continuous dialing ;
• malfunction of work (passes the valve that shuts off cold water);
• a large difference in the temperature of water and ambient air in the room;
• high humidity or leakage from neighbors from above.

The bathroom should be well ventilated, air circulation allows you to remove unwanted moisture. With the continuous operation of the filling system of the tank, moisture condenses not only on the riser, but also on the wiring. A faucet dripping all the time causes a similar problem.

Faucet failure can also cause high humidity in the bathroom.

Each of the reasons can independently cause “fogging” of the riser or cold water distribution pipes, but, as a rule, the cause is precisely the combination of several points.

Advice! If the humidification of the pipes began suddenly, remember what changes you have made in your apartment lately. The reason may be the change of windows, and the installation of any other equipment that increases the temperature of the room.

What threatens the "sweating" pipe

The condensate that appears on the pipes is not just water droplets. First of all, it is an aggressive environment for. In conditions of high humidity, the material corrodes and quickly fails.

In conditions of continuous humidification, the smell of dampness appears in the room. In addition, in places of high humidity, excellent conditions are created for the development of various bacteria, including mold and all kinds of fungi. Constant human contact with this kind of "neighbors" is highly undesirable and can cause malfunctions in the body.

For metal pipes, constant moisture is fraught with rust.

If the appearance of condensate or its abundance is not detected in time, puddles may form on the floor. If they are not eliminated in time, then the time for repair work to replace the flooring in the bathroom can be brought closer.

What to do if you detect fogging on the pipes

If you notice in the bathroom that the riser or other pipes related to the cold water supply are covered with small drops of water, then a series of actions should be taken to find out the cause. Our algorithm will help you:

Important! If all the malfunctions in the water supply system have been eliminated, the ventilation is working correctly, then the appearance of moisture is due to the temperature difference.

The installation of new windows or additional heating systems necessarily affects the temperature in the room. If the difference between the temperature of the water in the pipe and the air in the room is more than 17 ° C, then condensation will certainly appear.

We get rid of the problem with the help of special devices

If the temperature difference was established as the cause of the “sweating” pipes, then the first necessity will be the insulation of the cold water riser. A variety of materials can serve as a heater, they all differ from each other in price, appearance and degree of insulation.

The simplest option is purchase of pads made of foamed heat-insulating material. They look like soft pipes with a cut along. The insulation is put on the pipe like a cover and glued together. It is very important not to make a mistake with the size. If you purchase an overlay with a larger diameter, then there will be no effect, just like with a smaller size (you cannot glue this one).

Insulation lining for cold water pipes

A more expensive, but very effective way is to apply heat-insulating paint. To insulate the cold water riser, it is necessary to apply 4-6 layers of the substance, allowing each layer to dry completely. When working with paint, it is important to ensure forced ventilation of the room. To do this, you can use a conventional fan.

Heat insulating paint

For greater effect, you can combine the two previous methods. Make sure that the coating is completely dry before putting on the painted pipe insulation. It is also allowed to apply a layer of paint on top of the heat-insulating nozzle, but only after it is well fixed.

Another means for warming is a larger plastic pipe, put on the main one. The formed air space is filled with polyurethane foam.

Important! When carrying out any work on the insulation of the pipe, it is necessary to completely dry it in advance from the formed drops.

Each of these methods is very effective, but if you did not count on your funds to purchase expensive coatings, you are better off using the old proven method - to create thermal insulation yourself.

Creating thermal insulation with your own hands

It is not so difficult to make a heater for a cold water riser yourself. For this we need:

• sandpaper;
• rust converter (eg phosphoric acid);

Rust Remover

• strong thread;
• cotton fabric (you can use old things);
• epoxy putty;
• putty knife.

An old sheet or duvet cover is well suited as a heater. Various bandages and other materials can be used. Large and wide canvases are best cut into strips up to 10 cm wide and rolled into rolls.

Epoxy putty

Next, you need to clean the pipe itself and degrease the surface. A regular acetone-based nail polish remover will do the trick. The next step is to treat the riser with a rust converter.

After careful preparation, you can begin warming. Apply a layer of putty and, without waiting for it to dry, wrap the pipe tightly with a cloth from the bottom up. Wind the fabric so that each turn overlaps the previous one and is saturated with putty. At the end, secure the bandage tightly with a thread.

Noticing that condensation often appears on the pipes in the bathroom, do not delay solving this problem.

After drying, apply a few more layers of insulation. The final step will be coating the pipe with putty. When the homemade casing is completely dry and hardened, it can be sanded and painted to match the wall.

Do not leave the problem with high humidity unattended. Not only the appearance of your bathroom depends on this, but also the integrity of the cold water pipes.

How to get rid of condensation in the bathroom: video

Condensate on pipes: photo

Condensation in the bathroom on cold water pipes

Before starting repair measures, it is important to determine exactly the cause of the problem, which usually consists of the following:

• When the riser pipe gets wet, the whole thing is usually the flow of the neighbors from above.
• If a pipe gets wet near a plumbing fixture, then the reason lies in a faulty faucet.
• If ventilation problems are found, work will need to be done to eliminate blockages blocking the hood.

If condensation appears in the bathroom on the pipes: what to do in such cases? Listing ways to eliminate condensate, one cannot help but recall thermal insulation, which quite effectively helps in this problem.

How to get rid of condensation on plastic pipes

Leaks in plumbing fixtures are a common basis for the appearance of condensate. If the workpiece that supplies water to sanitary fixtures gets wet, then breakdowns can be in the tap, in the shower faucet, in the inlet valve of the toilet tank. A wet riser may indicate that there are leaks in neighboring apartments from above.

If the pipe network is laid out of plastic, then the problem of how to eliminate condensate on plastic pipes is solved as follows:

• The hoods are checked and the ventilation grille is replaced with a compact fan.
• The network is isolated with special tubes with a cut. These products are offered in every hardware store. They are made from energy flex and polyethylene foam. This is a very simple method, only before starting the insulation, it is necessary to dry the pipes thoroughly.
• Full insulation of plastic pipes can be provided by the use of fabric strips and plastering. Above is a detailed description of how this is done.

Features of a metal water pipeline

The problem of how to eliminate condensate on metal water pipes is no less acute than in previous situations.

The following actions help to eliminate the condensate of metal pipes:

1. Branch pipes are protected from rust, dried and opened with drying oil, oil paint.
2. Cover with carbolate. This is a paste-like agent for sealing cracks in the walls and floor, it is applied with a layer of 0.5 cm. This composition should harden for a day, and then the surface is sanded with fine sandpaper and painted with oil paint.
3. Projector primers. They consist of zinc dust, which is diluted with drying oil. With this composition, the highway is opened, and then it is painted (enamel).
4. The line in the toilet can be treated with a product based on drying oil and minium, or with special primers (for example: FL-031, FL-053).

How else do you deal with condensation?

Video: how to eliminate condensate on plastic water pipes

Eliminating condensation on pipes is not an easy task, without determining the exact cause of this phenomenon.

Experts on this subject express such an opinion.

• Professional plumbers are advised to purchase Gofroterm. This is a special composition that can be bought at building materials stores. It is superimposed on the surface of the pipes, and forms a strong and elastic film there, which prevents wet manifestations.
• Also, experts are confident in the effectiveness of liquid thermal insulation, which is applied to a dry and cleaned line.
• If all plumbing and piping is in good condition, then condensate may accumulate due to the temperature difference between the pipes and the air. In this situation, only the insulation of the system will help. The most suitable option for such insulation, professionals call foamed polyethylene or merylon, which are not difficult to buy at any building materials store for a low cost. This insulating material is fastened by putting it on the pipeline. Fix it with a clamp and wire.

The fact is that in addition to the main ones, there are side effects that lead to the formation of condensate. The source of dampness is evaporation from the basement, poor waterproofing and wall insulation.

Because of this, condensation and frost appear. In such situations, there is only one way out - this is the insulation of the floor and walls in the house with high-quality material.

In addition to the reasons already listed, leading to "wet" troubles, there are others. For example, weather conditions. Frequent and prolonged rains, the proximity of a reservoir, the proximity of groundwater also significantly increases the moisture index in the house.

You can reduce it by installing a moisture absorber or an air conditioner that has the function of dehumidifying the air. Dehumidifiers on the market today are an excellent method for removing moisture.

These are plastic boxes containing absorbent tablets. When using these devices, they not only get rid of fogging on pipes, but also eliminate moisture throughout the house.

Experts can advise how to eliminate condensate on a cold water pipe. If they are entrusted with this task, then you can be sure that they will quickly and effectively eliminate the causes leading to dampness in the apartment. And in this case, it will be possible not to worry about the health of people.

Condensation on pipes occurs due to the temperature difference between the ambient air and water in the pipe. Especially often this phenomenon can be seen in the warm season. Excessive moisture on metal pipes leads to their rapid destruction, and on plastic pipes - to the formation of mold, so the cause of condensation must be eliminated in a timely manner.

How to get rid of condensate on pipes

The harmful effects of moisture on plumbing equipment and the room makes you think about methods to combat the formation of condensate. Most of them are relatively simple and inexpensive.

Installing an exhaust fan in the bathroom

First of all, excess moisture is eliminated by the influx of fresh air. If there is no ventilation at all, it is desirable to organize it.

The operation of the existing system can be hampered by debris accumulated in the ventilation duct. It is necessary to unscrew the grate and carefully clean dust and cobwebs from the hole.

You can verify the presence of traction by bringing a lit match to the hole. If the draft is still insufficient, you need to buy and install a fan in the channel.

Installation of insulating tubes

High-quality insulation is one of the most effective ways. Efficient and inexpensive vapor-tight thermal insulation is made of polyethylene foam. This material is called energyflex and is sold in the form of finished tubes of various diameters or in rolls.

Before use, the pipeline must be dried, then cut the elastic tunnel lengthwise and put it on the pipe. The joints are treated with mounting foam and fixed with waterproof tape.

Applying epoxy putty

Homemade thermal insulation can be made from epoxy putty and old fabric scraps. The pipe is cleaned of traces of rust with sanding paper, wiped with acetone to remove grease and additionally with a special anti-rust agent.

Now the main layer of epoxy putty is applied to it and the still dry surface is quickly wrapped with strips of rags. After winding two or three layers, the fabric is fixed with wire and a finishing layer of epoxy putty is applied on top of it. Now you need to wait for drying and you can clean and paint the surface.

Temporary ways

If there are no necessary materials, or at the moment it is impossible to carry out work, you can use simple methods. But you need to remember that they are not suitable for long-term use.

• Wrap a wet pipe with a bandage and lower its tip into a container to collect water.
• Keep doors open at all times.
• Lay out moisture absorbers in the room, for example, silica gel balls in bags.

How to get rid of condensation in the toilet

The situation with the bathroom in the toilet is similar, but it is worth considering that the second option is characterized by the presence of a large number of pipes. If you are going to make a sewerage system in a private house, then it is better to immediately separate the cold water riser from the hot one, or pipe insulation is needed. There may be regular estrus from the tank in the toilet.

It should be borne in mind that all materials have their own indicator of the ability to conduct heat. But this fact does not force you to carry out a complete replacement of the pipeline, for example, from cast iron to PVC. In order to remedy the situation, there are many options. We will talk about them and talk further in the article.

Leak Repair Methods

We have already found out the reasons for the formation of condensate in the toilet and in the bathroom. Now let's find out how to solve problems with the formation of leaks. The first thing to do is to find the location of the water flow in the system. Its formation can take place:

• If the faucet and mixer has a malfunction. In such a situation, you will observe the constant dripping of water from the taps.
• In the event of a break in the pipeline;
• Fitting wear.

The biggest difficulty in determining is the pipeline rupture and the unsuitability of the fittings. To identify a malfunction, you need to partially disassemble the box that closes the pipes. To facilitate the process, it is better to seek the help of professionals. Specialists can easily determine the problem with the help of thermal imagers - special equipment. It is worth noting that both options require cash investments. When you find a leak, you can do the following repair actions:

• The gasket needs to be changed. A set of tools for work can be bought at any specialized store. To make a purchase, you need to know information about the brand and manufacturers of the faucet. This work can be done by hand.
• If nothing has changed after the repair procedure, then it is necessary to replace the mixer.

In the event that the pipeline of the sewer system in the house is leaking, the following measures can be taken:

• Replace the section of the system with problems. To complete the work, you need to cut a segment of the leaking pipe and mount a new part. In most cases, if there is a pipeline made of metal, the help of specialized equipment is useful. To do this, you can order a car from a specialized company.
• Install a plug on the pipe in the place where there is a water leak. It is worth noting that this method is less effective, so it should not be used.

Replacing the fittings on the pipeline is not difficult. To do this, remove the unusable part and replace it with a new one. Before starting such work, it is necessary to cut off the supply of water to the house.

How to remove condensate, how to wrap pipes

For those who have encountered such a phenomenon, the question immediately arises of how to wrap the pipe so that there is no condensate. There are several ways to prevent the appearance of water droplets on the surface of cold water supply pipes, one of which is thermal insulation. This option is considered the most effective, as it eliminates the cause of their appearance - a temperature drop. The easiest and fastest way to resolve the issue is by means of an insulating tube, cutting it lengthwise for convenient placement. For the manufacture of the tube, polyethylene foam, energy flex or thermoflex is used.

The process looks like this:

In the event that drops of water appear as a result of a malfunction of the plastic pipeline, you can independently replace the damaged section of the pipeline with a new elbow. Metal pipelines can only be replaced by plumbers with special equipment and skills.

To prevent condensation on plastic cold water pipes, the following types of insulating materials are recommended:

• Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene is considered a universal insulation for pipelines made of polymeric materials. It comes in the form of a shell, consisting of two halves. They are connected to each other by means of a tongue-and-groove lock. The use of such insulation is quite simple: the shell halves are put on the pipe and fixed with adhesive tape.
• Mineral wool for pipeline insulation is produced in rolls, which greatly simplifies the use of this material.
• Polyurethane foam refers to heaters with high insulating characteristics. The temperature range of such a material is quite wide, from -160 0 C to +150 0 C. Almost all polypropylene pipes have such a layer, it is formed on products during the production process. In this case, the thickness of the insulation reaches 5 cm.

The consequences of high humidity

The main reason that contributes to condensation is the increased humidity of the environment. That is why this process is typical for toilets and bathrooms, basements, boiler rooms, laundries, etc.

Surfaces damaged by condensation have an ugly appearance. In addition, its appearance carries other dangers. One of them is corrosion, which eventually destroys metal structures. And yet, constant humidity is very fond of mold, which causes allergic and respiratory diseases. Both cannot be called something pleasant and useful.

The appearance of condensation on the pipes in the toilet

The cause of moisture condensation can be both a high content of vapor in the air and a temperature difference. In the case when condensate settles in the toilet on the pipes, you should first check the ventilation - the easiest way is to leave the door to the toilet open at night. If the pipes are dry in the morning, then the ventilation is insufficient.

Another common cause may be the constant flow of the tank, in which the water does not have time to heat up in the pipe, being replaced by constantly cold water, which cools the sewer pipe even more, as a result of which condensation appears on the pipes in the toilet. In this case, it is necessary to check and repair the taps and the inlet valve of the drain tank.

Processing of water pipes

Treatment of plumbing pipes is the most affordable and effective way to deal with condensate. Older systems usually consist of metallic components and are more susceptible to leakage and corrosion.

Modern pipelines can be made from both durable plastic and fracture-resistant metal alloys.

metal pipes

Metal pipes in damp conditions are especially susceptible to corrosion. However, they lend themselves well to staining. Previously, the old rust is cleaned and the metal is coated with anti-corrosion compounds: carbolate paste, protective primers based on drying oil or epoxy varnish. Then the outer surface is painted with oil paint.

In the bathroom

The small footprint of a bathroom often results in risers being too close together. As a result, the pipes “cry”, creating additional dampness in an already damp room.

Openly laid cold pipes can be painted with any oil paint or enamel. Only heat-resistant enamels are suitable for hot pipes and heated towel rails.

If a faucet or shower drips, this contributes to additional cooling of the pipes. The heat exchange between them and the environment increases, and the condensate forms more intensively. In addition, water is wasted, which harms the environment and causes water meters to spin. Therefore, maintaining plumbing in good condition will bring tangible savings and benefits.

in the toilet

The need to process pipelines in the toilet is also associated with their close location in space. In addition, a leaking tank leads to the constant movement of cold water through the pipes, and this, in turn, to their additional cooling.

Equipment repairs plus insulation and painting will help keep utilities dry.

Plastic pipes do not rust, but condensation on them also leads to puddles on the floor and mold on the walls.

If the system was originally mounted in a non-optimal way, you will have to pay attention to it by providing insulation

Cold water pipes

Universal thermal insulation for plastic "cold" pipes is polystyrene foam, or simply polystyrene. It does not have elasticity, so the insulation is produced in two parts with a recess for the pipe.

Styrofoam halves are put on the pipeline and fastened with special connecting elements and reinforced adhesive tape

Thanks to this, the tightness of the insulation is achieved, which is very important for a good effect.

Glass wool or mineral wool is also used. These heaters can be purchased according to the diameter of the pipes or you can buy a whole roll, which is then used as needed.

with hot water

The difficulty lies in the fact that it cannot be applied to plastic pipes at home. You will have to take care of purchasing pipes with an appropriate coating with a thickness of 3 cm or more, made at the factory.

Getting rid of condensate on pipes

The fight against condensate must be rational

If it was not possible to completely get rid of moisture droplets or prevent their appearance by any of the methods, you need to pay attention to other reasons:

• Weather conditions - a humid climate and frequent prolonged rains, prolonged severe frosts or heavy snowfalls increase the level of humidity in the room, and as a result, condensation appears.
• The location of the house near natural reservoirs, the close occurrence of groundwater affect the level of humidity in the house.
• Disadvantages of construction - no foundation waterproofing layer has been laid, no ventilation, a cold floor or a damp basement located under the house.
• Frequent accidents in the water supply system, the presence of several sources of evaporation (drying clothes, cooking) are also causes of condensation.

Most often, to solve this problem, it is necessary to completely change the internal microclimate of the house, and this requires complex complex measures, up to and including a major overhaul. Each of the situations of condensate occurrence requires a study of the causes and an individual choice of method and method of elimination.

Sometimes activities can be simple and economical.

• In case of excessive moisture, eliminate the source. Use only well-ventilated areas to dry laundry.
• Equip exhaust ventilation in such a way that it works in several modes, including forced ventilation.
• Additionally insulate the walls and floor.
• Install an air conditioner with a dehumidifier function. If this is not possible, then make a moisture absorber with your own hands.

Condensation can almost always be observed on cold water pipes. This phenomenon not only spoils the appearance of the bathroom to some extent, but can cause serious problems. Constantly wet tubular elements have a limited service life.

Therefore, such a problem should be solved very quickly. In this case, questions arise about what to do if drops of water are found on the pipeline and how to remove condensate from cold water pipes. First, there is no need to over-dramatize the situation. Secondly, you need to familiarize yourself with all the methods for eliminating this problem. Thirdly, choose the most optimal option and put it into practice.

steam traps

Since the problem of water condensation is widespread, there are devices that trap water vapor and drain the resulting liquid. In particular, steam traps are installed at the outlet of water heaters. Depending on the heat exchange scheme, thermodynamic, thermostatic and mechanical devices are used.

The most popular are steam traps operating on the float principle of operation. They separate the accumulated water from the steam and remove it from the system, using the difference in density between water and steam.

Float devices have the following advantages:

• exceptional reliability;
• high performance;
• optimal energy saving in the system.

How to solve this problem

And she deserves special attention. You can purchase special material that can be easily purchased at any hardware store for little money.

It does not matter if this was not at hand, you can use improvised means. Mounting foam and corrugation can save the situation.

The corrugation is pre-cut into the necessary pieces, and they are put on the nozzles. The empty space is filled with mounting foam. At this point, the mission is considered completed.

There is another very simple method that will help eliminate the appearance of water drops on the pipes. For work you need to prepare:

1. sanding paper;
2. phosphoric acid;
3. thick thread;
4. strips of old fabric;
5. putty knife;
6. acetone.

Course of action:

• Any pieces of unnecessary fabric are cut into strips no more than 7 cm wide, which are rolled up. They are recommended to be prepared with a margin so as not to be distracted during work.
• The pipe is plastered, otherwise the material will not firmly adhere to it. Then it is degreased with acetone.
• At this stage, a rust converter is applied, and when the pipes dry, putty is applied to them. This material instantly hardens, for this reason, you will have to act quickly.
• The prepared pipes are wrapped with fabric strips, so that each subsequent turn overlaps the previous one. The final coup is tightly tied with a cord.
• Thus, insulation from fabric strips is applied in several layers.
• The procedure is completed by applying an epoxy layer. When it dries completely, the pipe products are sanded and the paint of the selected shade is applied.

thermal insulation

To minimize the effect of temperature difference in pipes with cold water and room temperature, it is necessary to insulate them. Excellent thermal insulation, high fire safety, ease of installation, tightness and low price of modern heaters will allow you to appreciate this solution.

The pipe must be dressed in a special material for insulation - cases made of foamed polyethylene (energy flex). It is a flexible material whose closed pores give it excellent thermal insulation properties.

Your actions:

• dry the pipe
• cut along the energy flex tube;
• wrap the pipe with cold water;
• fasten the longitudinal seam of the insulation with glue or clips;
• glue the ends of the energy flex together;
• If desired, you can paint the insulation with spray paint of the desired color.

As an option, Isollat, a universal material for pipe insulation, the so-called thermos paint, will help prevent the appearance of condensate. This is a water-based suspension, which, after drying, turns into a polymer coating with good thermal insulation properties.