Why is the cold water pipe wet. Condensation forms on cold water pipes - what to do

The occurrence of condensate on the pipes of cold water supply is quite common. Both metal and plastic pipes are most covered with moisture in summer time: to effectively overcome this problem, it is important to understand the exact cause of its origin.

Why condensation occurs

The main reasons for cold pipe humidification are:

1. When it comes to standing cold water, in this case, condensation will form on an ongoing basis, up to the appearance of puddles on the floor. The reason may be a leak in one or more pipes in the upper neighbor's apartment. Often the whole thing is in an unreliable toilet tank. To clarify this, it is best to choose the night time, when it is possible to hear well the fall of drops along the sewer riser. Condensation on pipes hot water usually does not occur.
2. When absent exhaust ventilation. The same may be due to interruptions in her work. This problem often affects new buildings or dwellings where there are metal-plastic windows: in such cases, there may be no hood if the windows are tightly closed. To determine the difference, a simple experiment is carried out by applying a newspaper to the ventilation grill, opening and then closing the windows. If there is no exhaust ventilation, sometimes the additional fan is powerless.
3. If condensation is observed on the plastic pipes that are included in the apartment wiring, quite often the reason lies in the breakdown plumbing fixture, with insufficient or completely absent hood.

Condensation on the pipes in the toilet

Condensation on the cold water pipes in the toilet can occur due to high humidity or temperature fluctuations. If this problem is detected, ventilation is first checked: for this, you can leave the door to the room open at night. If during this time the moisture on the pipes disappears, then it's all about poor ventilation. Another potential possible reason- constant flow of water through the tank.

This leads to the effect of cooling the pipe, since there is no time left for heating the water inside it. As a result, the surface of the pipe becomes a comfortable place for moisture condensation. Usually, after repairing the taps and the inlet valve, the problem disappears.

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.

If given material is not available, it can be replaced by a simple polyurethane foam. For this, a corrugation with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the problem pipe is taken and cut into separate sections, convenient for installation on communication. After putting on her corrugations inner space foams up.

How to install thermal insulation on your own

Insulating cold water pipes from condensate is quite easy to do on your own.

This will require the following consumables:

• sanding paper.
• Rust converter.
• Strong thick thread.
• Fabric strip 50-60 mm wide.
• Epoxy putty.
• Acetone.
• spatula.

1. Sand the insulated section of the pipeline to improve its adhesive properties.
2. Pouring a little acetone on a rag, degrease the surface.
3. Apply phosphoric acid for corrosion protection.
4. After the pipe is completely dry, an epoxy putty of a thick consistency is applied to its surface (it is important that the material does not drain)
5. Without waiting for the substance to harden, you need to quickly wind the fabric using good tension. To fix the last turn, a prepared thick thread is used. During this procedure, it is very important that the turns of the fabric completely overlap each other, and the putty completely soaks them.
6. After waiting until the putty is completely dry, according to the same scheme, you need to apply a couple more layers of thermal insulation. The final coating will be a layer of epoxy material.
7. When the finish dries, the pipe can be sanded and painted.

Elimination of condensate on the pipeline

To eliminate this unpleasant phenomenon, one of the following methods can be used:

1. Troubleshooting ventilation system. Insufficient ventilation can not only lead to condensation on the pipes: it is important to remember that such conditions can provoke the formation of mold, which is very harmful to breathing and can cause many diseases. To enhance passive ventilation, an additional forced manual fan is usually used. In addition, automation can be installed, to turn on which a timer or hygrometer is used.
2. The reason may also lie in large differences temperature regime indoors and plumbing: because of this, surfaces with which cold water comes into direct contact fog up. In the future, the accumulation of moisture can develop into streams flowing to the floor. In this case it helps good thermal insulation cold pipeline, which is easiest to perform using a special tubular material (thermoflex, energy flex, polyethylene foam). This insulation is available in several sizes. When selecting, you need to focus on the indicator of the inner diameter, which should be equal to the diameter of the pipeline. The tube is cut along the entire length, followed by pulling on the pipe and gluing the seam. For these purposes, it is best to use a special metallized adhesive tape of a permanent type.

The indoor climate is often directly affected weather in the form of prolonged rains, or the specifics of the local climate. This is especially true for areas near large rivers, lakes, seas or oceans. In this case, even the highest quality waterproofing of the house will not help: it is much more efficient to use dehumidifiers or air conditioners that have a similar function. It should be said that the struggle to normalize the humidity inside the home is useful not only in terms of combating condensate: it will also have a beneficial effect on the safety interior decoration and health of the inhabitants of the house.

Small droplets of condensate form on cold water and sewer pipes in apartments and private houses all the time. Most often, this process can be observed in summer period. Despite the fact that such a phenomenon is considered natural and quite natural, it causes many inconveniences to many. We are trying to come up with something, but still, having seen the condensate on the cold water pipes, we don’t know what to do. Why are these droplets so harmful?

It would seem that harmless condensate can create significant problems for the owners of an apartment or house:

• Accumulating and uniting, drops of water end up on the floor and form whole puddles there, which can even flow to the neighbors below. Flooring it can suffer so much that in a couple of years it will have to be changed.
• Harmless drops also greatly reduce the operational period of the water supply, because this is an aggressive environment for metal. Pipes rust, deform and after a while will require major repairs.
• Condensation on pipes in a toilet, kitchen or bathroom can cause bad smell dampness. But the smell is not so bad. Much worse, that the consequence of this is the formation of fungus and mold. Bacteria also multiply much more actively in a humid environment, exposing people living in an apartment to the risk of disease.

Reasons for the formation of drops

Why does condensation form on pipes? Most often this is due to the temperature difference between the surface of the pipes and the air in the room. And if there is still no ventilation in the room, or it does not function well enough, then nasty drops appear without fail. Contributes to this and too wet air in room. Moisture quickly settles on risers and pipes that conduct cold liquid. Every room has its own causes of condensation.

Wet pipes in the toilet

In the toilet to the most common reasons condensation on pipes can be attributed to:

Condensation in the bathroom

To know how to deal with condensate on pipes in the bathroom, you must first find out the cause of this phenomenon. Some factors are similar to the "toilet", but there are some nuances:

How to get rid of moisture on pipes?

There are several ways to remove condensate from pipes:

Ventilation

inspect air vent. If debris, cobwebs and dust deposits are found there, it is necessary to thoroughly clean it all. After that, it is advisable to purchase a special fan, which is installed instead of the ventilation grill. In plumbing and building materials stores there are a lot of such devices from various manufacturers. They can be different in power, price and design.

New tank

In the toilet, the problem of condensate can be solved with a double tank. Inside such a device there is an additional plastic container into which cold water is collected. The outer walls do not cool too quickly, and therefore are not covered with water drops. Of the minuses is the high cost of the tank, which is most often sold only as a set along with the toilet.

natural ventilation

If your bathroom or bathroom does not have supply and exhaust ventilation, organize life in your home so that everyone who takes a shower or bath leaves the door wide open when leaving the bathroom.

Pipe insulation

How to get rid of condensate on cold water pipes by thickening the walls? To reduce the temperature difference between the air and the pipe, it is desirable to insulate the pipe. In stores you can find several types of modern heaters. They are characterized by high fire safety, high thermal insulation properties, ease of installation, tightness and a completely low price. Special cases made of foamed polyethylene - energy flex - are very popular now. This material is very flexible, so installation should not be a problem. And multiple closed pores will protect very well from temperature "inconsistencies".

To put the pipe in energy flex, you need to do the following:

• dry the pipe thoroughly, after wiping it with a dry cloth;
• the energy flex pipe must be cut lengthwise;
• starting from one end, gradually put the insulating material on the entire pipe with cold water;
• the longitudinal seam of the energy flex is fastened with clamps or glued with glue;
• if the pipe is long, then, using several pieces of insulation, you need to glue its ends together;
• after that, the insulating material, if desired, can be painted with paint from an aerosol can.

Another pipe and mounting foam

How to eliminate condensate on a cold water pipe using improvised materials? If for some reason you cannot buy this modern insulating material, then you can try using a plastic pipe with a slightly larger diameter and mounting foam. The plastic pipe is also cut lengthwise and carefully put on the water pipe. The foam is then injected into the annulus. This simple design will last long enough, and will not interfere with the repair work.

Note: Instead of a plastic pipe, many use a metal corrugated pipe. Inside, you can also run mounting foam.

rags

Another option is to use rags (bandages, any other cotton fabric) and epoxy putty. Before proceeding with the insulation of the pipe, it must be thoroughly cleaned of rust. sandpaper and then degrease with acetone and treat with a rust converter. Only after that the first layer of putty is applied, which is immediately “bandaged” with a cloth. When this coating hardens, you need to apply another layer of epoxy.

Isollat ​​and other similar materials

On the issue of thermal insulation of cold water pipes, a universal one helps a lot. insulating material"Isollat". This is a thermos paint in the form of a water-based suspension. After drying, the liquid mass solidifies and turns into polymer coating with excellent warmth insulating characteristics.

It is very simple to paint the pipe with Isollat:

• clean well with “sandpaper” and degrease the surface of the pipe;
• apply one layer of insulating substance;
• wait for drying;
• use silicone varnish to finish and give the pipe a glossy sheen.

Moisture absorbers

In large construction supermarkets you can find wonderful home appliances- Moisture absorbers. They will help you quickly and without hassle to deal with the problem. Their design is quite simple: an absorbent substance is placed in a plastic box. It will help not only to eliminate condensate on the pipes, but also to get rid of excessive humidity throughout the room.

Air conditioning

This is the most expensive option, but some people use it too. Installing an air conditioner with climate control will provide constant optimal level humidity.

What to do when the water condensate on the pipes keeps constantly? When you see water droplets on the waterways of your apartment, don't ignore the problem in the hope that "it will somehow disappear by itself." Try to apply one of the above methods, and unpleasant consequences can be avoided.

A problem such as condensation on a pipe with cold water is very common, especially in summer when it is hot. It occurs due to the temperature difference on the surface of the pipe and the surrounding air. As a result, small puddles may appear on the floor where the pipes pass. And the reason is not that communications, connections, etc. have been damaged. The reason is normal condensation. How to prevent its occurrence and effectively get rid of it, our article will tell.

The consequences of high humidity

Condensation promotes high humidity environment

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 unsightly 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.

Causes of condensation

The main reasons for the appearance of a condensation product include:

1. the presence of a source in the room high humidity;
2. inadequate ventilation;
3. poor thermal insulation of sewerage and water supply pipes.

The occurrence of condensate on cold water pipes for the last reasons is understandable and understandable. But what about sources of high humidity? This reason is for:

• external weather conditions and climate (continuous rains, sleet, wet climate zone etc.);
• geographical features of the area (presence of large water bodies nearby, high humidity air in combination with rocky soil);
• defects in buildings that arose due to violations of construction technology (poor-quality thermal insulation of walls and floors, poor waterproofing of the foundation, lack of hoods and ventilation in the premises);
• problems arising during the operation of buildings and communications (flooding of the basement, accidents in the water supply system, clogging ventilation ducts, local sources of water vapor in the form of a posted wet laundry and vapors of cooking food).

For whatever reason, droplets of water do not appear on your pipe, it must be dealt with.

Methods for dealing with the product of condensation

Ventilation device

A good protective option for pipes is mineral wool.

If your room is experiencing high humidity, you need to take the following steps.

1. First, remove the source causing it to rise. For example, hang wet laundry outside, on a balcony, or in a room that is well ventilated. Close water containers with airtight lids.
2. Second, make sure you have good ventilation. This can be a simple ventilation window with a grill that will ensure that excess moisture is vented to the outside.

If you don't know what to do to remove condensation from cold water pipes, try to start with simple passive ventilation. It is done as follows:

• using a puncher or drill-crown, drill a hole in the wall in the form of a small “window”;
• insert a ventilation grill over it and secure it using building glue or self-tapping screws with dowels.

In the event that such a measure does not bring the desired result, you will have to turn to active ventilation. It can be an exhaust fan, which will be fixed on exhaust vent. It has 2 modes - forced and manual. The first is used when the source of high humidity is constantly operating. The second can be used when its action is limited to a certain time. Such fans are sold in hardware stores, and you can install them yourself.

On a note! For convenience, the fan can be equipped with a timer or a humidity sensor that will control its operation time.

Pipe insulation

The inner diameter of the pipe insulation must match the outer diameter of the pipe

And now we will learn how to eliminate cold water condensate on a pipe when its surface temperature differs sharply from the ambient air temperature. Forced ventilation in this case does not always help, and then you have to protect the pipes, resorting to thermal insulation materials.

Currently, their range is quite diverse.

1. Insulation material is very often sold in the form of mats, which are mineral wool, on one side of which a heat-reflecting metal foil is fixed.
2. The heater may be in the form of tubes. The value of their inner diameter must match the outer diameter of the pipe to be insulated. Such tubes are made of rubber, polystyrene, polystyrene and other materials.

If you chose the first option, then tightly wrap the entire pipeline with material.

In case of use tubular version insulation, it should be cut along the entire length, and then put on a pipe wiped dry. It is important to achieve complete tightness of the containment by its tight fit to the riser. If this does not happen, then the water droplets will still moisturize metal structure leading to its destruction. After that, the insulation put on the pipe should be glued along the length of the cut using a special adhesive tape or glue.

Note! If even after the thermal insulation of the pipes, the condensation product does not disappear, then you will have to waterproof the walls and floor. Such overhaul can only be trusted to specialists who know how to work with a heat insulator, waterproofing and facing materials.

If such measures cannot be implemented or they could not solve the problem, then install a dehumidifier or air conditioner in the room that has the function of dehumidifying the air. How to remove condensate from cold water pipes in this case? By regularly draining accumulated water and drying absorbent material.

On a note! The most primitive moisture accumulator is an ordinary bandage, which is wound in the form of a tourniquet around the pipe. Its lower end descends into a jar where water will drain. In this capacity, bags of silica gel are also suitable, which will need to be dried periodically.

The fight against condensate, although painstaking, is not very difficult. We hope everything works out for you! We wish you success!

Many are interested in how to eliminate condensate on a cold water pipe. Because this problem is encountered very often.

At first glance, damp pipes for supplying cold water are a source of dampness in a kitchen or bathroom. Also, this phenomenon can provoke the appearance of mold.

These factors will shorten the period between system repairs during wet room. Why condensation occurs, and how to resist it, will be discussed further.

Most often, condensate from a cold water pipe appears due to insufficient ventilation in the room. It is for these reasons that moisture is collected in droplets in a system that transports cold water.

This in in full moist air helps. For these reasons, before installing cold water pipes, it is recommended to create a thermal insulation layer that will prevent any temperature difference on the top of the pipe.

This problem also occurs when the pipes for cold and hot water are located close together.

With such a problem in the bathroom or bathroom, it is recommended at the very beginning to check the functioning of the ventilation.

Behind long time she could get upset. Malfunctions in the ventilation network are clearly visible when closed windows if there are plastic windows in the room. This can be checked very easily.

ADVICE! If you take a paper sheet and attach it to the hood with closed plastic windows, and then do the same with open windows, then the difference will be visually noticeable. If there is no ventilation, then it will be visible immediately.

And one more feature in the bathroom is the piping layout with cold and hot water. They are often carried out in close proximity, without laying thermal insulation.

It is not surprising that in the place where water is supplied to the plumbing, the pipes begin to “cry”. On open wiring, it is easier to eliminate condensate.

But, in a situation where the network is hidden in the wall, the solution of the issue entails more complex work. This will include repair measures, because the fastest way is to change the geometry of the structure.

Considering the reasons for the condensate of a water pipe with cold water in a bathroom or bathroom, it should be noted that in general the situation is similar to the one described above, but one “BUT” arises.

In these rooms, there are an order of magnitude more pipes, and the space, as a rule, is smaller. And here, even at the installation stage, it is necessary to solve the issue of thermal insulation of pipes.

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 volume of the corrugation should slightly exceed the volume of pipe products laid in the network. The process itself is deceptively simple.

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

Video

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.

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 the sanitary fixtures gets wet, then breakdowns may be in the tap, in shower mixer, 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 is how to eliminate condensate on plastic pipes, are 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 detailed description how it is done.

Features of a metal water pipeline

Video

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

If plumbing metal pipelines are constantly exposed to drops of water, they will quickly be damaged by corrosion.

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).

Advice! In the bathroom, the cold water main is allowed to be painted with any kind of enamel, and water pipes for hot water supply it is possible to cover only with oil resistant enamels.

How else do you deal with condensation?

Video: how to eliminate condensate on plastic water pipes

Elimination of condensate on pipes simple 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 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 nozzles and the air. In this situation, only the insulation of the system will help. by 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.

Video

IMPORTANT! Experts warn that it is possible to eliminate the fogging of the cold water supply different methods. Which of them to choose, can be decided only after a thorough analysis of the situation.

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, close location of the reservoir, proximity ground water 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. Moisture absorbers offered on modern market is an excellent method for removing moisture.

Video

This is 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 can almost always be observed on cold water pipes. Such a 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. Third, choose the most best 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 vent clogged with debris.
• Defects in the building resulting from a violation of construction technology.
• Geographic features region: proximity to large bodies of water or high levels of humidity combined with rocky soil, which contributes to the formation of condensation.
• 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, then the general temperature working environment, 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 solve the issue is by means of an insulating tube, cutting it lengthwise for convenient accommodation. 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 water drops appear as a result of a malfunction of the plastic pipeline, you can replace it yourself damaged area pipeline to 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 polymer 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 insulation of pipelines 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 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 help protect cold water pipes from condensation chemical industry: "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. Optimal time drying of 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 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 a large number positive features.

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 combat condensation, you can choose any of listed ways. 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.