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 Mobile ViewPLUMBING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR AGE of PLUMBING MATERIALS & FIXTURES AGE of CHIMNEYS & FIREPLACES AGE of AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS AGE of FOUNDATION MATERIALS AGE of FRAMING MATERIALS AGE of FLOORING MATERIALS AGE of ELECTRICAL WIRING AGE of HEATERS, BOILERS, FURNACES AGE of WATER HEATERS AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES AIR INLET VALVE, WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS, WATER TANK ANTI SCALD VALVES ANTI SCALD VALVE PROTECTION, Best Practices ANODES & DIP TUBES on WATER HEATERS APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT BACKFLOW PREVENTER VALVE, HEATING SYS BACKFLOW PREVENTER, HEATER WATER FEEDER BACKUP PREVENTION, SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION, SEWER LINE BACKWATER VALVES, SEWER LINE BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE BATHROOM MOLD BATHROOM VENTILATION BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS Bisphenol-A, BPA BLEVE EXPLOSIONS BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS BOILERS, HEATING BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE CAR MOLD CONTAMINATION CARBON MONOXIDE - CO CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR CHLORAMINE / CHLORINE Tests CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER CHLORINE in WATER, HOW TO TEST FOR CHLORINE IN SEPTIC WASTEWATER CISTERNS CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, DIAGNOSIS CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, HOT WATER CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater DEPTH of DRAIN & SEWER PIPES DEPTH of SEPTIC TANK DRAIN & SEWER PIPING DRAIN LINE DEPTH DRAIN NOISES DRAIN a WATER HEATER TANK DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY SOURCES DRYER VENTING ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS FAUCETS & CONTROLS, KITCHEN & BATH FAUCETS, OUTDOOR HOSE BIBBS FILTERS, WATER FLARE FITTINGS FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODED HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR FLOODED SEPTIC SYSTEMS, REPAIR FLOODED WATER HEATER REPAIR FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS FLUSHOMETER VALVES for TOILETS URINALS FREEZE-PROOF PIPES GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION HARD WATER - SOFTENERS HEAT TAPES, Heat, Insulation prevent Freeze-Up HOT WATER HEATERS KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN GUIDE KITCHEN VENTILATION LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEAD WATER PIPING HAZARDS & REMEDIES LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC METHANE GAS SOURCES MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES MIX VALVE SCALD PROTECTION, Best Practices MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENTS MOLD INFORMATION CENTER MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING NOISE, PLUMBING DRAIN DIAGNOSIS NOISE, PLUMBING DRAIN REPAIR NOISE, PLUMBING CHECKLIST NOISE, WATER HEATER NOISES, WATER PUMP ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS IN WATER ODORS, SEPTIC or SEWER ODORS SEWER GAS in COLD WEATHER ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES ODORS, URINE REMOVAL OIL FIRED WATER HEATERS OIL-FIRED BOILERS, HEATING OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT OIL FUEL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS OIL & GAS PIPING OIL TANKS OUTHOUSES & LATRINES PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types AGE OF PIPING AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS CLEANOUTS, PLUMBING DRAIN CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, DIAGNOSIS CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, REPAIR CLOGGED SUPPLY PIPES, HOT WATER CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater DIAELECTRIC PIPE FITTINGS DRAIN & SEWER PIPING CAST IRON DRAIN PIPING CAST IRON DRAIN LEAK, ODOR, REPAIR COPPER PIPING in buildings DRAIN LINE DEPTH DRAIN NOISES FLOOR DRAIN / TRAP ODORS FREEZE-PROOF PIPES LEAD PIPES in buildings PLUMBING DRAIN CLEANOUTS PLUMBING DRAIN VENTS PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST PLUMBING NOISE CONTROL SEPTIC BACKUP PREVENTION SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER GAS ODORS SEWER LINE LEAKS & ODORS SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT SOUND CONTROL for PLUMBING TRAPS on DRAINS VENT PIPING SUPPLY PIPING BRASS WATER PIPES COMPRESSION FITTINGS COPPER PIPING in buildings GALVANIZED STEEL WATER PIPING LEAD PIPES in buildings LEAD IN DRINKING WATER, HOW to REDUCE LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEAD WATER PIPING HAZARDS & REMEDIES LEAK TYPES, Water Supply/Drain Pipe OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS PLASTIC PIPING PLASTIC PIPE LEAK CAUSES Transite Pipe Water Supply Piping VALVES, PLUMBING WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE WATER PIPES, Clogs Leaks Types Water pipe clog diagnosis Water pipe clog repair guide WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR PLUMBING FIXTURES, KITCHEN, BATH Plumbing Materials & Fixtures, Age, Types PUMPS & WELLS RANGE BOILERS RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR SEPTIC METHANE GAS SEPTIC ODORS SEPTIC PUMPS SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP SEWAGE BACKUP PREVENTION SEWAGE BACKUP TEST & CLEANUP SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in buildings SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES SEWAGE EJECTOR / GRINDER PUMPS SEWAGE NITROGEN CONTAMINANTS SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE SEWAGE PUMPS SEWAGE PUMP CLOG DAMAGE SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION SEWER GAS ODORS SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS SULPHUR & SEWER GAS SMELL SOURCES SUMP PUMPS GUIDE SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL TANKLESS COILS TANKLESS WATER HEATERS Temperature Pressure Relief Valves - Water Heaters TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS TOILETS, INSPECT, INSTALL, REPAIR TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET FLUSHOMETER VALVES TOILET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY TOILET PLUGS, SEWER BACKUP TOILET REPAIR GUIDE TOILET TYPES Toilet Types, Flush Methods TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST TRAPS on PLUMBING FIXTURES WATER HEATERS WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT WATER PUMPS & TANKS WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES WATER PUMP TYPES & LIFE EXPECTANCY WATER PUMP SAFETY WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING WATER PUMP & WATER TANK REPAIRS WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING WATER SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE WATER SHUTOFF VALVE, WELL PUMP WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS WINTERIZE A BUILDING More Information |
Condensation on plumbing pipes, tanks, toilets: here we explain the causes, significance, and cures for condensation or "sweating" on plumbing system components like pipes, water tanks, and toilets. A certain amount of moisture condensation on building plumbing systems is normal in areas of warm humid weather and cold or chilly incoming water supply. But as we explain here, excessive condensation on plumbing systems can cause costly problems in buildings. The articles at this website will answer most questions about plumbing drain, waste, vent, water supply & septic systems. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. What is Sweating or Condensation on Plumbing Pipes, Tanks, Toilets
Our sweating toilet tank photo (left) illustrates where condensation may form on the tank of a toilet that is in frequent use during hot humid weather, or on a toilet whose flush valve leaks, allowing the toilet to "run" continuously. Condensation, the collection of airborne moisture on cool surfaces can happen anywhere in the plumbing system where components are cooler than surrounding, moist air. Common places where we see condensation or "sweating" include toilet tanks, cold water pipes, and water storage or water pressure tanks. Carson Dunlop Associates in their Home Reference Book point out that in some homes, the cold water piping is insulated to avoid sweating of pipes.
Our photo (left) shows a close-up of condensation on the exterior of a steel water pressure tank.. This ‘sweating’ can be annoying, and if allowed to continue, can damage ceilings, floors, furniture or storage below. Condensation that drips off of these locations can even lead to building rot, insect attack, or to the need for a costly mold cleanup job. So Do Water Pipes Actually "Sweat" in buildings?No. Pipes and tanks don't literally "sweat". "Water pipes do not "sweat" as people say - water is not exuding out of pores in the pipe. Water is condensing from moist air onto the surface of the cold water pipe. Insulate your cold water pipes to avoid condensation and drips onto the floor. What people popularly refer to as "sweating pipes" really is airborne moisture that is condensing out of humid air onto a cool pipe, tank, or other surface. Where Does Condensation Occur on Plumbing Systems?
Our photo (left) illustrates that "sweating" cold water pipes can be a serious hazard. These cold water pipes are dripping condensate (red arrow at left) right into the electrical panel (down-pointing red arrow at left), risking corrosion of the circuit breakers and other electrical components. Corrosion can lead to failure of a breaker to trip in event of an over-current. So water pipe condensation could actually contribute to a building fire! Details are at CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS.
What Causes Condensation on Plumbing System Components like Pipes, Tanks, Toilets?Why does water condense on your cold water pipes overhead in the basement before it condenses on the steel Lally columns supporting your main girder? It's because the cold water pipe surfaces are colder than the Lally column surfaces exposed to the same moisture-laden air. When cold water (at 40 deg.F.) is running through the water pipe, the pipe surface is cooled to a lower temperature (40 deg.F.) than that of the Lally column (perhaps 55 deg.F. or higher in a typical residential building basement). When the temperature of air reaches the dew point (a function of the combination of a particular air temperature and the amount of moisture in the air), moisture condenses out of the air onto nearby cooler surfaces. See DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE for more details.
[Note: Another definition of "sweating pipes" is used by plumbers to refer to the process of soldering copper plumbing joints.] What is the Significance of Condensation for Diagnosing Building Conditions?Condensation May Indicate Plumbing Leaks or Private Well Piping Problems
If the cold water pipes in your building are wet with condensation even though you think no water has been running for hours, there may be a hidden plumbing leak. A great time to check for this condition is on first arising in the morning, before plumbing fixtures have been used. Our photograph of stains on an interior wall (left) is an example of indoor stains caused by moisture on building plumbing pipes. Private well piping or well problems: intermittent cycling of a well pump when no water is being run is often a sign of either a running plumbing fixture in the building, or a leak in the well piping itself. If you see condensation on water piping entering the water pressure tank and hear intermittent well pump cycling for no apparent reason, further investigation is warranted. See INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS and WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS. Indoor stains in ceilings or walls, flooring damage, and even hidden mold are all problems that can be caused by hidden plumbing leaks or by condensation on cold water piping where it passes through building cavities. How to Cure Condensation or Sweating on Plumbing Pipes, Tanks, ToiletsInsulate Cold Water Piping
Carson Dunlop suggest that if a basement is to be finished, the cold water piping above the ceiling should be insulated. Foam insulating tubes that snap around plumbing piping are widely available and work very nicely for this purpose. We advise against wrapping pipes in fiberglass insulation. Insulate the Water Pressure Tank?Where a water pressure tank is located in a finished basement or similar area, having puddles of condensate on the floor around the water tank can be a problem. If you have made sure that there are no plumbing leaks or well pump short cycling problems that are keeping the water tank cold and subject to condensation too much of the time, insulating the water tank with an insulation blanket may be helpful. Watch out: we have inspected properties where the water pressure tank was located in a finished basement, enclosed in a closet, and surrounded with fiberglass insulation. Wetting fiberglass insulation is inviting a hidden mold contamination problem. Insulating such "closets" with solid foam insulation may be a more mold-resistant approach. See INSULATION MOLD for details. Insulate Toilet Tanks?Some toilet models currently sold include an insulated toilet tank and may be appropriate if you live in an area where weather is hot and humid for much of the year, as toilet tank condensation can be a problem even if the toilet is not leaky or running. But before going to the cost and trouble of changing out a toilet tank or trying to insulate the exterior of the tank, make triple sure that your toilet is not leaky and running. Fix Plumbing LeaksFind and fix running toilets, hidden plumbing leaks, well piping problems or municipal water piping problems that we listed earlier. Use a Dehumidifier, Add Heat, Increase Air CirculationOur preferred method for reducing condensation on plumbing pipes, tanks, toilets indoors is to reduce the level of indoor humidity to an appropriate level using either a local portable dehumidifier, or the building's central air conditioning system. See HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET for details. In some circumstances increasing the air circulation around a condensation-prone water tank can reduce the total quantity of condensation, at least if the condensation is from normal use and not from a plumbing leak. In some commercial installations and in a few private homes where condensation people add heat where spot condensation is a particular problem. More Cures Sweating (Condensation) Problems on ToiletsAs noted in Chapter 6 of Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction:
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