What to do so that the pipes do not sweat. Cold water pipes sweat: how to get rid of condensate on water pipes

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.

Causes of condensation and solutions

Causes of moisture

If condensation accumulates on the pipe with cold water To understand how to fix the problem, you need to identify the main causes of this phenomenon. There are several reasons for the accumulation of moisture on the pipes:

if condensate mainly accumulates on the water supply pipes of the riser in the bathroom or sewer, then the neighbors living on the floor above may have a problem with the formation of a leak;
poor ventilation in the room. The reason for the lack of air movement may be clogging ventilation duct or metal-plastic windows which, when closed, do not let air in from the outside. With poor ventilation in the living room, water vapor accumulates, which subsequently settles on plastic pipes (metal pipes, and so on). You can check for proper ventilation with a match or a lighter. The flame from any object should be "drawn" into the hood. If this effect does not occur, then the channel is either clogged or unable to cope with its task.

Elimination of leaks

Why condensate forms on the pipes, found out. Now let's figure out how to fix leaks.

First of all, you need to determine the place where the water leak occurs. The leak may be:

due to a malfunction of the taps or mixer. In this situation, water will drip from the faucet;
after a pipe rupture;
due to worn fittings polypropylene pipes(metal-plastic pipes).

It is most difficult to detect pipe breaks or worn fittings if the pipes are hidden in the wall. To detect a leak, you will need to partially disassemble the box that covers the pipes, or resort to the help of specialists who will identify the malfunction special devices- thermal imagers. Both of these methods will incur significant costs.

If a leak is detected in a mixer or faucet, then you can:

change all gaskets. You can buy a repair kit for the mixer at any specialized store. To select a repair kit, you need to know the brand and manufacturer of the mixer. You can replace the gaskets yourself;

if after the repair the formation of condensate on the pipes has not stopped, then it is necessary to replace the mixer.

If a leak is detected in the pipes, then you can:

solder the pipe, that is, install the plug in place of the leak. This method is considered the least reliable, therefore it is recommended for use as a temporary measure.

Replacing fittings is no problem. It is enough to remove the leaking part and install a similar new product.

Before carrying out any operation, it is necessary to first shut off the water supply to the dwelling.

Troubleshooting ventilation problems

How to get rid of condensate on the pipes, if the reason lies in insufficient ventilation of the room? Required:

apply to management company with a request to inspect and clean the ventilation shaft of the house. Specified work should be done free of charge and in a short time, since monitoring the technical condition of the house is the direct responsibility of managers;
what to do if the problems in the mine at home are eliminated, but condensate still accumulates. Can be installed indoor bath, toilet, etc. additional fan built into the hood. The fan can be forced to turn on or work, for example, when the light is turned on;

You can get rid of condensation on a cold pipe by installing an air conditioner or kitchen hood for stove or .

Do-it-yourself thermal insulation of pipes

How to remove condensate from pipes cold water, if all of the above malfunctions are eliminated, but the problem remains? You can make thermal insulation of pipes using:

chemicals;
specialized heaters.

Insulation with chemicals

For pipe insulation, mixtures can be used:

How to deal with condensate with chemicals:

first of all, it is required to clean the surface of the pipe from dirt and rust (if metal pipes). To get rid of rust, you can also use various chemicals;
further, the entire surface of the pipe is treated with a primer for the best fit of the insulating mixture to the pipe. The time for complete drying of the pipe is indicated on the package with a primer. On average, this takes 30 minutes - 1 hour;
a protective mixture is applied to the surface of the pipe. To do the job, you can use a brush, roller or spray gun. Usually, chemical drug it is recommended to apply in 3-5 layers, and each layer requires preliminary drying, the time of which is indicated on the package;
to increase the service life of pipes over the insulating material, it is recommended to apply a kind of fixer, which, in addition to its direct function, will give the pipes an aesthetic appearance.

You can learn more about pipe processing with Teplomett mixture from the video.

The use of liquid mixtures as a heat insulator allows not only to reliably protect pipes from condensate, but also to extend the life of the plumbing system.

Insulation with heaters

As insulating materials for pipes can be used:

Styrofoam;
basalt;
foamed polyethylene;
mineral wool.

As a rule, pipe insulation material is ready-made rolls, inside of which a pipe is inserted. The roll consists of:

To insulate pipes insulation materials, required:

prepare the surface of the pipe, having previously removed all dirt and rust from it;
if glue-based insulation is used, then remove it from inside protective film and wrap the pipe. If the heater is not equipped adhesive base, then the entire pipe must be covered with special glue;

The diameter of the insulation roll must match the diameter of the pipe. Otherwise, it will not be possible to get rid of the condensate, since moisture will penetrate under the insulation.

press the material against the pipe for the best grip;
seal the hole through which the pipe was wrapped.

Condensation on pipes can destroy or destroy the sewers of a house, as well as harm the health of people around, therefore it is necessary to get rid of the accumulation of moisture on pipes in a timely manner by any of the most effective and affordable methods.

Rust that occurs on cold water pipes causes a lot of trouble for the owners of houses and apartments. The reason for this phenomenon in many cases are water droplets formed on the surface of the pipes.

Causes

Condensation is a fairly common occurrence. It is mainly formed on pipes with cold water. The reasons for this are the presence high humidity in the room air and the difference between the air temperature and the piping temperature.

This phenomenon occurs in the same way as dew on grass leaves in the morning. At certain conditions(humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure) the so-called "dew point" is formed, upon reaching which the water vapor present in the air settles on the surface of surrounding objects.

Steam also settles on the surface of water pipes, which seem to “sweat”, becoming covered with drops. For this effect to occur, the surface temperature must be lower than the ambient temperature. This is why this happens with cold water pipes in the bathroom and toilet, which are cooled by the passage of a cold stream through them with a temperature below the air temperature in the room.

In order to determine the true cause of the appearance of condensate, it is necessary to determine exactly at what point it appears, since cooling is associated with the direct movement of the water flow.

If water does not flow through the pipe, then the pipe, together with the water in it, heats up to ambient temperature. Under such conditions, the formation of condensate is impossible.

Therefore, when water drops are found on a pipe, it is necessary to find out exactly where the source of water movement is. This can be a toilet flush tank, through which, due to lost or torn gaskets, water flows unnoticed. This movement of water through the pipe is quite enough for its cooling and the formation of condensate. Also, the source may be a poor-quality gasket on one of the taps through which the water flow passes.

In addition, the reason for the formation of water droplets may also be with neighbors who live higher on any of the floors, if, for example, they have a drain tank. In this case, condensate may form on the risers with water passing through the apartments from the bottom up. In this case, the constant movement of water and, accordingly, the cooling of the pipe occurs due to these leaks. When determining such a reason and wanting to eliminate it, it is necessary to inform the residents who are above.

It should also be noted that the formation of condensate on pipes is facilitated by insufficient ventilation or its absence, especially in rooms with high humidity. For example, this may occur in the bathroom, where hot water steam is formed, which settles on the pipes in the form of drops.

Effects

Rust is one of the consequences of condensation. The formation of rust smudges not only spoils the appearance metal parts but also destroys them. Condensation often occurs on risers that run vertically through the apartment. In this case, peeling of the paintwork is possible.

Droplets fall on the floor, forming small puddles, due to which the floor covering is destroyed. Moisture can also damage furniture in the room. Also, due to the constant accumulation of moisture on surfaces, mold and fungus can occur, which have a negative impact on human health. The appearance of mold in hard-to-reach places of plumbing units is especially unpleasant.

Condensation is especially dangerous in closed places (where it is not visible). At the same time, moisture can also get on the wiring, oxidizing the contacts. Water is also an excellent conductor. Leaks on walls can conduct electricity, which is a very dangerous factor.

First steps

If you notice moisture on the pipes, you should immediately take measures to eliminate it. First of all, it is necessary to wipe off the formed condensate and dry the place of its occurrence.

It is important not to allow moisture to accumulate. To do this, you need to establish the cause of its occurrence. In this case, it is necessary to find out which source provides a constant flow of water, as a result of which the surface of the pipes is cooled. To determine this, you need to check the toilet cistern and all taps for constant leakage. You should also pay attention to the installed in the house washing machine, through which water can flow in the presence of valve malfunctions.

In order to correct the situation, in most cases, you can do without special knowledge, just replace the faulty gasket. If it is impossible to fix the problem on your own, it is better to turn to specialists, especially when it comes to repairing washing machines.

You can check the operation of the ventilation system using plain sheet paper. When bringing it to the opening of the working ventilation, you can notice a slight movement of the sheet. This is an indication that ventilation is working. But to determine the effectiveness of the installed ventilation, you need to invite specialists.

If it is found that condensate is forming on the riser, it is necessary to involve neighbors from above in identifying the cause, who may have a leak in plumbing equipment. In this case, condensation will also be observed on their pipes.

Ways to get rid

If the identified problem was not too serious, then it can be successfully solved by replacing the gasket with cistern or tap. However, the solution is not always so simple.

In some cases, the cause is incorrect piping, in which hot and cold pipe pass on close range from each other. This is enough for condensation to form. After all, if there is a flow of water through both pipes, one of them heats up, and the other cools. From this temperature difference, moisture is formed. Often such situations arise in private homes, where piping is carried out without the involvement of specialists.

In this case, in order to eliminate the cause and avoid the formation of moisture, it is necessary to change the layout of the water pipes, isolating them from each other, which is far from always a simple matter. To organize a new wiring, it is often necessary to violate the integrity of the walls and their coatings.

In such cases, the use of a special thermal insulation material that can be wrapped around the water supply can help. So you can make insulation, eliminate mutual heat transfer and protect pipes. This method is quite efficient and does not require capital works for the modification of water supply.

If the reason lies in insufficient exhaust from the room, then a fan must be installed at the ventilation outlet to create a forced air flow. Thanks to this, excess moisture is removed from the room.

Specialists in the field plumbing work have extensive experience in finding the causes of condensation and its effective elimination. For example, one of modern ways The solution to the problem is to cover the pipes with a special liquid heat-insulating composition. It is applied to the surface of the pipes, forming a strong, elastic and non-corrosive material when dried. corroded a layer that allows you to get rid of the occurrence of moisture.

However, with a very large temperature difference, the pipes must be additionally insulated. For this, polyethylene foam is often used, which is fixed with ordinary wire. It is a lightweight and rot-resistant material. It is available both in the form of sheets and in the form of soft tubes. different diameter with a longitudinal cut.

To receive maximum effect it is necessary that the inner diameter of the tube matches the outer diameter of the water pipe. In this case, the tube is put on tightly, without unnecessary gaps. If it is of a smaller diameter, then there will be a gap, if it is larger, it will hang out. In this case, it will bring practically no benefit. The ease of use lies in the fact that you can put the part on the pipes yourself, immediately getting the desired result.

A rare person has not had to deal with such a phenomenon as condensate on the surface of a cold water pipeline. Although this unpleasant phenomenon can also occur on other structures - windows, exterior walls, in the corners of rooms.

Condensation is caused by moisture vapor in the air. In contact with a cold surface, they cool down and turn into drops. The higher the humidity in the room and the greater the temperature difference between the air and the cold surface, the greater the likelihood of this unpleasant phenomenon.

If pipes and windows are chronically “crying” in the house, then it is urgent to deal with the causes of this phenomenon.

Mostly this affects areas such as bathrooms and toilets. It is there that the risers of cold and hot pipelines are usually located.

There are several reasons for water condensation on pipes:

poor ventilation of the bathroom and toilet, leading to the preservation of high humidity in them and increased general temperature in these premises;
in the toilet, the cause of the problem can be a malfunction of the valve that shuts off the water in the toilet bowl - water leakage leads not only to its leakage, but also to the constant cooling of the pipe with cold water;
in the bathroom, condensate often forms for the same reason - a malfunction of the faucet valve that shuts off cold water;
high humidity in an apartment or house, which can be caused by many malfunctions - poor ventilation, current roof, incorrectly selected insulation.

If condensation began to form recently, then the cause must be immediately clarified, and not wait until the problem becomes chronic. Perhaps you have recently changed windows or installed some kind of equipment in the house that contributes to the “warming of the microclimate”.

It must be remembered that although condensate is just water, it is it that is the main aggressive medium that destroys steel structures, including pipes.

Besides, excess moisture sooner or later it will cause the appearance of fungus and mold not only on pipes, but also at any point in the apartment where there are cold surfaces.

And this is not just ugly, but often even dangerous for people living in the house, especially allergy sufferers.

What to do in case of misted pipes

The algorithm is very simple - you need to find the cause and eliminate it:

You can start by checking drain system tank and stopcocks. To do this, you have to watch them. Sometimes people leaving the bathroom do not notice that the faucet is dripping, and the toilet valve periodically opens due to a decrease in the float level due to a small leak from the tank.
Check the operation of the ventilation with a piece of paper or by holding a lit match to the ventilation grille. If the piece of paper falls and the match burns evenly, then the ventilation is not working.
If you did not find any malfunctions in your apartment, then you will have to visit the neighbors from above and find out from them if they have encountered the same problem. A fault on any floor above results in a constant circulation of cold water in the pipe, which significantly reduces its temperature.

If in the bathroom and toilet you have forced ventilation, then it is worth checking the effectiveness of its work.
If everything is in order, but the pipes are “crying”, then the reason for this is that the temperature difference between the surface of the pipe and the surrounding air exceeds 17 degrees, and special methods will have to be used to solve the problem.

Solutions to the problem

The main idea of all the methods listed below is the thermal insulation of the cold water pipeline to reduce the intensity of exposure to too warm air.

Pipe painting heat-insulating paint. It is quite expensive, but effective method solution to the problem at hand. Here you should be patient, because to achieve the desired effect, you will have to paint the pipe at least 5-6 times. Each previous layer of paint must be well dried and only then apply the next one. In this case, the room will have to be forcibly ventilated - an ordinary fan is suitable for this.

Pipe insulation with foam insulation pads. Linings are soft pipes with a longitudinal section. They are put on a dry pipe like a cover, and the edges are then glued. To achieve the desired effect, it is very important that the size of the lining ideally matches the diameter of the pipe. if it turns out to be more, then there will be no effect at all, and if it is less, then you will not be able to glue the edges of the lining. You can combine the two previous methods: first paint the pipe, dry the paint and put on linings on it, which can also be painted on top with heat-insulating paint.
Putting on a pipe plastic pipe bigger size and filling the space mounting foam, you can also achieve good results. But here it is important that the foam completely and evenly fills the space between the pipes, otherwise the method will not work.
Self-creation of thermal insulation on the surface of the pipe. This is an inexpensive, but troublesome way, which is a completely reliable solution to the problem.

To create it, you need to stock up on the following materials:

epoxy putty;
simple cotton fabric (for example, old sheets);
strong thread or thin twine;
putty knife;
sandpaper;
means for cleaning pipes from rust;
acetone or other suitable substance for degreasing the pipe surface.

The fabric must be cut into strips about 10 cm wide and wound into rolls. You can also use medical bandages of a suitable width.

Next, we proceed as follows:

We clean the pipe from paint and carefully degrease its surface.
Next, the pipe is treated with an anti-rust agent.
After drying the pipe, a layer of epoxy putty must be applied to it and immediately quickly wrapped with a cloth from the bottom up. In this case, the turns of the fabric should be superimposed on each other and impregnated with putty. The fabric is then secured with thread.
After the first layer has dried, several more are applied in the same way.
At the end of the work, I again coat the pipe with putty on top.

After the insulation is completely dry, it can be sanded and painted with paint of a suitable color.

In solving the problem of "weeping" pipes, the main thing is not to miss the moment until the pipes begin to corrode.

If it is not possible to eliminate the problem by eliminating leaks in the valves of plumbing fixtures and good ventilation, it is better to immediately resort to thermal insulation.

Droplets of condensate on cold water pipes are a common occurrence, especially in summer when the air heats up to high temperatures. Droplets collect in streams and often puddles form on the floor next to the water supply pipe.

How to get rid of condensate, prevent corrosion of the pipeline, eliminate the fungus that occurs from moisture?

Causes of condensation on pipes

During the repair of the premises, especially with constant high humidity, it is worth taking care of communications in advance. Condensation on pipes, both metal and plastic, can occur for the following reasons:

Leakage plumbing as a result of improper installation, or in the process of wear.
Poor ventilation, improperly organized exhaust system humid air. Blockages ventilation system lead to excess moisture on the surfaces of the room.
Leak in plumbing system, cistern toilet bowl neighbors.
A sharp temperature drop in the room where condensate collects. The situation is especially deplorable in the summer, when the surface of the pipeline is literally.
Configurations of distributing cold, hot water supply. If they are not thermally insulated, while located close to each other, condensation is inevitable (which is why it is so important).

How to get rid of condensation?

If moisture accumulates on the riser, it is possible that the neighbors have a mixer, other plumbing. This can be tested at night, when the characteristic sounds of flowing water are heard in silence. The problem with ventilation is observed when the windows are locked, especially those equipped with metal-plastic bags. Checking the operation of the system is easy.

It is enough to take a sheet of paper, attach it to the hood, clogging the windows, then do the same with the doors open. If there is no ventilation, the visual effect is obvious.

If moisture is concentrated on the apartment's wiring pipes, the reasons may be as follows. The culprit may be faulty plumbing fixtures directly in the apartment. The second reason is poor air circulation, especially in rooms with constant high humidity.

If the cold water pipe leading to the plumbing gets wet, the faucet, the shower faucet, the inlet valve of the tank in the toilet are to blame. When the riser is constantly getting wet, you need to look for the problem of water pipes from the neighbors from above. If the ventilation is clogged, it is worth checking the air circulation in it.

How to eliminate condensate?

You can get rid of the problem in several ways:

Check the hood, remove debris, cobwebs from there, then buy a compact fan, install it instead of the ventilation grill. Manufacturers offer a wide range of similar devices, different in price, power.
Isolate the water supply system with special insulating tubes with a cut, which are available in building supermarkets. They are made of energy flex, polyethylene foam, the ends are fixed with permanent metallized tape. This method is the easiest, fastest, but before insulating the pipeline must be thoroughly dried.
Complete isolation will provide the following method. First, the pipe is sanded, after which the surface is wiped with acetone, then with a rust converter. After drying the pipeline, it is covered with epoxy putty and quickly wrapped with strips of fabric in 2-3 layers, the edges of the fabric are fixed with a clamp, wire. Then the epoxy putty is applied again, after drying, the surface is sanded, covered with paint.

Methods for protecting metal pipelines

If condensation is not removed from the metal pipes of cold water supply, corrosion will cover them over time. What can be done in this case:

First, the surface of the pipes is cleaned of rust, then dried, covered with drying oil, oil paint.
You can use carbolate, a paste-like mass for sealing cracks in floors and walls. The composition is applied to the surface with a 5 mm layer, left to harden for 24 hours. After that, it is sanded with fine-grained sandpaper, painted with oil paint.
Protective primers can be used, consisting of zinc dust diluted with drying oil, epoxy varnishes. They cover the surface of the pipe, after which they are painted with paints and enamels.
The pipeline in the toilet can be coated with a composition based on drying oil, red lead in a ratio of 20:80 or primers type GF-031, FL-03K, FL-053, GF-021.

If we are talking about a bathroom, here for painting hot pipelines, heated towel rails, oil-resistant enamels are used, for cold ones - any enamels, paints.

How else can you deal with condensation?

The following is a good way to fix the problem. It is necessary to put on the pipeline a corrugation with a diameter larger than that of the pipe, then fill the cavity between the surfaces with mounting foam. If puddles form on the floor, in the place where condensate accumulates, a sleeve made of pipes several diameters larger than the wiring itself will help get rid of them. The system is simple, while it will not interfere with the repair, replacement of the pipeline in the future.

Moisture absorbers sold in supermarkets household appliances – great way deal with the problem. They are a plastic box inside which an absorbent tablet is placed. The absorber will relieve not only of condensate on the pipe, but also eliminate humidity in the entire room.

More expensive option– installation of air conditioning with climate control, which will provide optimal level humidity.

It is advisable to waterproof the floor of the bathroom, toilet, which will help to cope with the problem of condensation on pipes and surfaces. If this method of repair is not feasible, it is worth opening windows after taking a hot shower, taking a bath, opening the bathroom doors. The circulation of cool air will quickly eliminate the accumulated condensate, help to effectively cope with moisture on the pipes.

Based practical experience to combat condensate on pipes, the masters advise the following:

Yuri Rogov, plumber, recommends buying Gofroterm, special composition sold in specialized stores. It is applied to the surface of the pipe, after which a strong elastic film is formed on it, which prevents the formation of moisture.
Andrey Kazantsev, foreman of the production site, advises to purchase liquid thermal insulation, which, like paint, is applied to the dried, cleaned surface of the pipeline. According to him, this method is better than thermoflex, other insulating materials.
If the ventilation, plumbing, plumbing is in good order, the cause of the accumulation of condensate may be the temperature difference between the pipe and the air. Locksmith Nikolai Korotkov advises in this case to conduct insulation. To do this, you will need long covers of polyethylene foam, or merylon, hollow inside, which are sold in construction stores. They are put on the pipeline, fixed at the bottom with a wire, a clamp.

You can get rid of fogging of the cold water supply pipeline different ways. Which one to choose should be determined after analyzing the situation.

Plumbing work, if you have a tool, experience, you can do it yourself, as an option - seek help from specialists. Read also the material about and you will be interested in the material about.

In fact, condensation is considered to be the result of the accumulation of excess moisture on any surfaces that have a temperature lower than that of the surrounding air. Basically, condensate appears on pipes and containers in which cold water flows, or it appears in rooms in which there is a source advanced level humidity. Such premises include: a toilet, a boiler room, basements, laundries and bathrooms.

In addition to the aesthetic appearance, condensate on pipes can have quite dangerous consequences, so it is best to get rid of it.

Why is condensation on pipes dangerous?

Condensation on water pipes is not only not beautiful, but also dangerous. I explain why it is better to get rid of condensate on pipes. If you have metal pipes, then corrosion can appear from condensate, which leads to destruction. And for people, this will be reflected in the source of the respiratory and allergic disease. All this will happen due to the fact that mold will begin to appear on the pipes. Mold is a type of fungus that is quite harmful to humans. It can cause serious illness in people. I would especially like to mention bronchial asthma and a noticeable decrease in immunity. In my opinion, I have given sufficient arguments to convince you to get rid of the condensate on the pipes. And to put it in everyday language, to make sure that the pipes do not sweat.

Why do pipes sweat?

Consider the causes of condensation on pipes. The main reasons include the following:

poor ventilation

low level of thermal insulation of sewerage and water supply pipes,

the premises have high level humidity.

Here it can be noted that the sources with a high level of humidity include the following reasons:

terrain features,

defects in the operation of technological communications,

building defects,

external weather, climate.

How to get rid of condensation?

Now let's look at how to get rid of the condensate that appears on the pipes.

If there is a high level of humidity in the room, then first of all you need to eliminate the occurrence of high humidity. For example, it is best to post wet laundry to another ventilated area, or you can use airtight lids that will close containers of water.

The next step, how to get rid of condensate on the pipes, is to provide ventilation. In this case, you can install a ventilation window with a grill, which will help to display excess moisture outside your premises. In order to make such ventilation, you will need to drill a hole with a puncher and a drill in the form of a crown. Then insert the ventilation grille and fix it using self-tapping screws or construction adhesive.

If all this is not enough to correct the situation in the room and get rid of condensate on the pipes, then you will need to do active ventilation.

Active ventilation looks like an exhaust fan that can be mounted on exhaust vent, and it works in two modes, namely: manual and forced. The forced option is considered more preferable, and the manual mode is used for limited temporary actions. In manual mode, you will need to attach a timer, or a special humidity sensor, which will help drive the fan into action. Forced ventilation will be inappropriate if your room has a high level of humidity.

If the humidity in the room is very high, your best bet is to insulate the pipes with special thermal insulation materials to get rid of condensation on the pipes. All heat-insulating materials are made in the form of mats, which consist of metal heat-reflecting foil and mineral wool. They can also be made in the form of pipes, in which the inner diameter will match the outer diameter of the pipe. Such thermal insulation materials are made from different material, and they take not only rubber, but also various polystyrenes, foam plastics. Such material must be carefully wrapped around the pipes and fixed.

If you are taking heat-insulating tubular material, then you will need to cut it along the entire length. After that, you will need to wipe the pipe dry, and put on it thermal insulation material so that it is completely sealed. If you make a mistake, then you won’t be able to get rid of the condensate on the pipes, it will begin to appear again, and the work will be done for nothing.

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