Why does condensation appear on plastic pipes. The cold water pipe is leaking! Solution

Condensation on pipes occurs due to the temperature difference between the ambient air and the water in the pipe. Especially often this phenomenon can be seen in the warm season. Excess moisture on metal pipes leads to their rapid destruction, and on plastic pipes- to the formation of mold, so the cause of the occurrence of condensate 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 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 a blockage in the 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 burst pipes or worn fittings if the pipes are hidden in the wall. To detect a leak, you will need to partially disassemble the box that closes 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:

1. 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;

1. 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:

1. 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:

1. contact the 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;
2. 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;

1. get rid of the condensation cold pipe can be installed by air conditioning or kitchen hood for stove or .

Do-it-yourself thermal insulation of pipes

How to remove condensate from cold water pipes if all of the above malfunctions have been 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:

1. first of all, it is required to clean the surface of the pipe from dirt and rust (if metal pipes are used). To get rid of rust, you can also use various chemicals;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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:

1. prepare the surface of the pipe, having previously removed all dirt and rust from it;
2. 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.

1. press the material against the pipe for the best grip;
2. 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.

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 moisture. 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 common cause"weeping" pipes is the leakage of water in the tank. The mechanism is simple: 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 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 rust quickly, plastic pipes lose their consumer properties. Ceramic tile it may eventually fall off, and the 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 is formed. 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.

AT summer time 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 the condensate on the pipes appears again and again, despite good hood and performance 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. In this case, the corrugation is cut along required dimensions 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, careful preparation pipes to be 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 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

A problem with metal systems no less acute because excessive moisture threatens the formation of corrosion and complete wear of the 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. most efficient and suitable material for these purposes is which is sold in any hardware store for quite 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 additional channel for extraction. 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, purchased specialized materials. 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.

Metal pipe is easy to secure old rags. To do this, we get rid of rust, dry the pipe and wrap it with rags.

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According to the laws of physics, warm air contains more moisture than cold air. In areas with a large temperature difference, water vapor settles on a colder surface, forming condensate.

Especially in summer, there are so many drops of water that they flow to the floor, where non-drying puddles form. And constantly wet pipes begin to rust, mold and fail faster.

Condensation occurs on water pipes ah for various reasons. First of all, these are technical faults:

Also, the amount of condensate is affected by the humidity of the surrounding air. This parameter is often determined by reasons that are impossible or very difficult to eliminate:

• humid climate;
• prolonged rainfall;
• large bodies of water nearby.

How to get rid of condensate on pipes: the main ways to deal

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 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

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 energy flex and is sold in the form of finished tubes. different diameter 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 special tool against rust.

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 applied over it. finishing layer epoxy putty. Now you need to wait for drying and you can clean and paint the surface.

Temporary ways

If not the right materials, or at the moment it is impossible to carry out work, you can use simple ways. 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.

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 either durable plastic, and from 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 outer surface 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 in and so wet room extra moisture.

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. heat transfer between them and environment increases, and the condensate is formed 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 maintain engineering Communication 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.

The halves of expanded polystyrene 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 achieving 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.

Processing with chemicals

There are special chemical compositions to deal with condensate on pipes. For cold water pipelines, the industry offers tools such as:

• Graphoterm;
• Stermizol;
• Corundum and others.

The cleaned surface is treated with a primer and a protective mixture is applied with a spray gun or brush. It is recommended to apply the product in several layers to enhance the effect. Each next layer is applied after the previous one has dried. A so-called fixative is applied over the latter. It protects the insulation and improves the appearance of communications.

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.

Pipe insulation at home

A skilled owner can do most of the work on thermal insulation on his own. Replacing a leaky elbow on a plastic pipe requires almost no special equipment. Also, the pipe can be bent to increase the distance to the adjacent pipeline. For isolation, this method is often used. A corrugation of a larger diameter is put on the pipe and the gap is filled with mounting foam.

If the pipes are bricked up under the tiles, it is also desirable to insulate them. Otherwise in tile joints black mold will appear.

For information on how to properly insulate pipes in the bathroom, see the video.

In the apartment

Carrying out work in apartment building, it must be borne in mind that the risers, fan pipes etc. are common property. Actions with them are best coordinated with management company. Also, in order to turn off the water supply, you will have to contact a local plumber. Equipment in the bathroom and toilet, supplies and flexible hoses, as a rule, belong to the owners of the apartment. They can be processed and replaced at your discretion.

In a private house

In a private house, the owner is responsible for all communications, external and internal. Even at the construction stage, you need to pay attention to the wiring diagram and thermal insulation of the system. To remedy the situation in finished house you will have to apply the above methods of dealing with condensate.

If it is impossible to get rid of the condensate, the walls and floor are waterproofed. And this is already costly and voluminous repair work, which can only be performed by specialists.

Preventive measures

To avoid finishing and alterations on the water supply system, you need to remember about the proven remedy - prevention. Performance simple recommendations help without special efforts reduce the amount of condensate:

• Leave the bathroom door open, especially after taking a shower.
• Install a grill at the bottom of the door and widen the gap between the door and the threshold.
• Increase the diameter of the exhaust ventilation duct.
• Organize forced exhaust by installing a fan.
• Choose plastic windows with micro-ventilation.
• Monitor the condition of the taps and tank, timely carry out repairs.

If excess moisture remains, you can purchase a separate dehumidifier or air conditioner with this function.

The choice of method to deal with water condensation depends on the causes of its occurrence in a given place. It should be noted that even if there is no more condensation on the surface as a result of temporary measures, the root cause must be found and eliminated. After properly planned work, the pipes will be reliably insulated, and air humidity will decrease. This guarantees the absence of mold and dampness in the house.

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 renovation 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:

1. Leakage plumbing as a result of improper installation, or in the process of wear.
2. Weak ventilation, improperly organized humid air exhaust system. Blockages ventilation system lead to excess moisture on the surfaces of the room.
3. Leak in plumbing system, cistern toilet bowl neighbors.
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. First, the surface of the pipes is cleaned of rust, then dried, covered with drying oil, oil paint.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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:

1. Yuri Rogov, plumber, recommends buying Gofroterm, special compound 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

This problem is faced by many owners of not only apartments, but also private houses: seemingly harmless, wet pipes with cold water (both non-pressure sewer and tap water) are a source of dampness in the kitchen, toilet or bathroom. Condensation on the pipes can cause mold development, as well as a reduction in the time interval between repair work in wet areas. Our short article is devoted to solving this problem: below we will talk about why condensation forms on the pipes, as well as how to deal with this scourge.

Causes of condensation on pipes

Most often, the formation of condensate on pipes with cold water is associated with poor ventilation in the room. That is why on sewer riser or pipes supplying cold water, drip moisture forms: wet air fully contribute to this process. Therefore, before thinking about it, you need to take care of creating an additional heat-insulating layer that will prevent such a strong temperature drop on the surface of the product. Often with similar situation faced by those who have risers with hot and cold water laid too close to each other.

Wet pipes in the bathroom

First of all, it is necessary to check the operation of the ventilation system. Over the years of operation, it could well become clogged with dust and debris. Therefore, to begin with, we unscrew the grate that covers ventilation duct and thoroughly clean everything. If this was the reason, then a thrust should appear, the presence of which can be checked with a lit match.

Another point is the features of the wiring of cold and hot water in the bathroom. Most often, pipes are allowed very close to each other, without worrying about additional thermal insulation. It is not surprising that in the place where water is supplied to plumbing equipment(simply - to the mixer) the pipe with cold water "cries". If the eyeliner is open, then you can easily use any suitable thermal insulation material. If it goes in the wall - the decision suggests itself and is associated with more complex work, including repairs. If you need to change the geometry of the product, then you can read about it in the article on this issue on our website.

Often the cause of condensation on the pipes in the bathroom is a malfunction of the faucet. If water drips from the tap, then you not only pay extra money for it, but also contribute to the constant cooling of the pipes: even at night, the heat exchange between them and the air continues with all the ensuing consequences. The solution is obvious - it's time to repair the crane!

Dealing with condensation on pipes in the toilet

The situation is similar to the one described above, with only one “but” - there are much more pipes in the toilet, and they are all laid in small space. If you live in a private house and the interior was carried out by you on your own, then already at this stage it was worth thinking about potential problems with condensate: either remove the cold pipes from the hot ones, or additionally isolate the first ones.

A constant leak from the tank can also cause the pipes to become wet. The situation is the same as in the case of faulty plumbing in the bathroom: water constantly passes through the pipes, so it does not have time to warm up, and humid air only exacerbates the problem. Therefore, it is obvious that the most budget decision there will be a simple repair of the inlet valve and adjustment of the tank fittings.

Thermal conductivity various materials is different. But this does not mean that in order to eliminate condensate on pipes, it is necessary to change from cast iron to PVC. It is better to go one of the ways, which we will discuss below. We will talk about the device of the heat-insulating layer.

Pipe insulation

The simplest option involves the purchase of factory-made thermal insulation material: K-Flex, energy flex, penofol, etc. It can be made in the form of a porous material, polypropylene, basalt fiber, self-adhesive tape etc. In fact, any heat-insulating material can be used as a pipe insulation. If buying it is not included in your plans, you can go in other ways:

• use a plastic pipe with a larger diameter and mounting foam. We cut the product in such a way that it can “grasp” the pipe on which condensate forms. We foam the annular space with mounting foam;
• use old rags and epoxy putty. Previously, the pipe is cleaned of rust with sanding paper, degreased with acetone. Next, we apply the first layer of putty on it, after which we literally bandage the pipe with a cloth so that it is impregnated with epoxy. After it has hardened, we apply the final layer of putty - the impromptu thermal insulation is ready!

Now you know what to do if condensation forms on the pipes in your apartment!

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