Why plastic pipes sweat. How to remove condensate from cold water pipes and prevent it from appearing

Condensation can almost always be observed on cold water pipes. This phenomenon not only spoils to some extent appearance bathroom, 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, what to do if drops of water are found on the pipeline and how to remove condensate from the pipes cold water. 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 in the room high humidity.
Insufficient ventilation.
Water supply pipes have poor quality thermal insulation.
Temperature changes. For this reason, in the summer, there may be a stronger formation of condensate, which simply flows down the surface of the pipes.

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

Sources of high humidity include the following:

Problems arising in the process of functioning of communication systems and buildings. These can be steam from cooking, evaporation from wet laundry, a flooded basement, a pipe failure, and a clogged vent.
Defects in the building resulting from a violation of construction technology.
Geographic features region: proximity to large bodies of water or high levels of humidity combined with rocky soil that contributes to the formation of condensation.
Adverse natural phenomena: sleet, heavy 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 repairs should be done. 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 drops 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 faucet, the overall temperature drops. 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 resolve the issue is by means of an insulating tube, cutting it lengthwise for convenient placement. For the manufacture of the tube, polyethylene foam, energy flex or thermoflex is used.

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

The process looks like this:

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

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

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

Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene is considered 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 pipeline insulation is produced in rolls, which greatly simplifies the use of this material.
Polyurethane foam refers to heaters with high insulating characteristics. The temperature range of such material is quite wide, from -160 0 C to +150 0 C. Almost all polypropylene pipes have such a layer, it is formed on products during the production process. In this case, the thickness of the insulation reaches 5 cm.

Chemical elements that help get rid of condensate

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

The use of these insulating compounds implies the following actions:

The pipe is cleaned of dirt and rust.
Apply a layer of primer for better adhesion of the insulation to the surface and leave to dry.
Using a roller, brush or spray, cover the surface with a protective mixture. The most effective is the application of 5 layers of insulation, and each layer must dry well before the next application. 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 drain the resulting condensate into automatic mode float 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 deal with condensate, you can choose any of the following methods. In most cases, their use helps to eliminate unwanted moisture. If these options are not effective enough, it is possible to get rid of the formation of condensate on cold water pipes by waterproofing all surfaces of the room. Quality performance work of this type is possible only with special knowledge and skills.

The occurrence of condensate on the pipes of cold water supply is quite common. Both metal and plastic pipes most covered with moisture in the summer: 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:

If we are talking about the cold water riser, in this case, condensate 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.
When there is no 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 ventilation grille by opening and then closing windows. If there is no exhaust ventilation, sometimes it turns out to be powerless and additional fan.
If condensation is observed on the plastic pipes that are included in the apartment wiring, quite often the reason lies in the breakdown of the 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 air 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.

In case this 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 problematic pipe is taken, and cut into separate sections, convenient for installation on communication. After putting on the corrugations, its inner space foams.

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.

Sand the insulated section of the pipeline to improve its adhesive properties.
Pouring a little acetone on a rag, degrease the surface.
Apply phosphoric acid for corrosion protection.
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)
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.
After waiting until the putty is completely dry, according to the same scheme, you need to apply a couple more layers of thermal insulation. top coat there will be a layer of epoxy material.
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:

Troubleshooting the ventilation system. Insufficient ventilation can lead not only 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-air fan is usually used. manual mode. In addition, automation can be installed, to turn on which a timer or hygrometer is used.
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 by weather conditions in the form of prolonged rains, or the specifics of the local climate. This is especially true for areas near big rivers, lakes, seas or oceans. In this case, even the most high-quality waterproofing does not help at home: 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.

The formation of water droplets on pipes in apartments and private housing is quite common. Such a process most often occurs in summer and covers the surface of both non-pressure sewer pipes and “cold” water pipes. Condensation in itself is not a problem. But its significant accumulation with subsequent dripping leads to the formation of puddles on the floor. The accumulation of condensate on pipes can significantly shorten the life of the plumbing, leading to unplanned repairs. Excess moisture in pipes causes bad smell and dampness in kitchens, toilets and bathrooms, contributes to the development of fungus and mold.

In this article, we will analyze the main reasons for the appearance of condensate on water pipes and ways to deal with it.

What are the main causes of condensation?

To begin with, let's consider the mechanism of the appearance of water drops on a pipe from the point of view of physics. Let's remember the very nature of the origin of condensate. This phenomenon directly related to temperature and humidity in the room. We all know that the human body is 80% water and all of its vital activity is inextricably linked with the use of water. These are bath procedures and taking a bath, cooking and washing clothes. The plants and animals around us, the rug in the bathroom are also sources of wet steam.

And if such wet air falls on a sufficiently cold surface, then we observe this adverse effect - the occurrence of condensate.

Back in school, in physics lessons, we studied that all kinds of substances can be in three states of aggregation: solid, liquid and gaseous. illustrative example This is ice, water and steam.

As the temperature rises, water turns into steam. And each room has a specific humidity, i.e. the presence of water in the air in a gaseous state. The transition of water from a gaseous state to a liquid state is called condensation. And in order for this transition process to take place, it is necessary to lower the temperature. Since the cold water riser in the bathroom or toilet is the coldest point in the room, condensation forms on the pipe. Everyone probably remembers how drops appear on pipes or a drain tank. This is exactly that case.

The temperature at which condensation begins to form is called dew point. The dew point is determined by the relative humidity of the air. The higher the relative humidity, the higher the dew point and closer to the actual air temperature. The lower the relative humidity, the lower the dew point of the actual temperature. If the relative humidity is 100%, then the dew point is the same as the actual temperature. That is, in other words, in the bathroom, the humidity can be high, which means that the temperature at which the steam turns into water is also higher. Consequently, having met with the cold surface of the pipes, the steam instantly condenses, and then will flow down them to the floor.

1. The first reason is faulty plumbing. Leaking faucet, faulty toilet barrels lead to the fact that as a result of constant and uninterrupted water exchange, the surface temperature of the pipe, mixer or drain tank gradually decreases. The water simply does not have time to heat up in the pipe, being constantly replaced by cold water, which cools the pipe even more, as a result of which condensate appears on the pipes in the toilet. In this case, it is necessary to check and repair the valves and inlet valve drain tank.

2. If the plumbing is in good condition, but the riser still gets wet, the indirect culprits for the formation of condensate on your pipes may be your neighbors in the riser on the floor above. It is because of their faulty plumbing that your pipes sweat.

3. Another cause of condensation may be the absence or poor operation of exhaust ventilation, which is often found in new buildings and apartments with installed plastic windows where there is no hood in case of closed windows. Water vapor, accumulating in the room, cannot go outside. In this case, the quality of the ventilation can be checked by attaching a newspaper to the hood with open and closed windows. If there is not much difference, then the ventilation is not working well. In the absence of exhaust ventilation in the bathroom in which the risers are located, sometimes even installing a fan does not help.

Ways to eliminate condensate.

So, we found out the main causes of condensate. Based on the reasons, you can accordingly select methods of elimination.

Wetting of the pipe leading to the plumbing fixture indicates a faucet malfunction;
If the plumbing is in good condition, but the riser pipe gets wet, it is possible that the neighbors from above have a problem;
If the check showed insufficient ventilation, remove the blockages formed in the exhaust hole, etc.

However, what if all the above methods of dealing with condensate do not give the desired effect? It remains the last most simple and effective way.

The use of thermal insulation.

The use of a thermally insulating layer gives the effect of a thermos, preventing direct contact of the cold surface of the pipe with warm humidified air. As a thermal (or thermal) insulation, we recommend the use of heat-insulating tubes made of polyethylene foam. The company "KPR-DV" sells them under the brand name "Jermoflex". To insulate the pipe, you need the selected thermal insulation material tightly wrap or put on the pipe and fix it. Cut the heat-insulating tubes along the entire length. To facilitate work, Jermoflex pipe insulation already has a longitudinal incision. Then the water pipe is wiped dry and a heat-insulating material is put on it, achieving complete tightness in such a way as to prevent contact with the air in the room. If this is not done, condensate will accumulate under the heat-insulating material on the pipe and serve as a source of its destruction. Then the put on heat-insulating material is glued along the entire length of the cut (edge) with special adhesive tape or glue. These materials can also be purchased from our company and carry out all the work yourself. It is desirable during the least drawdown that the water in the pipe be heated.

We hope this article was helpful. For all questions that arise during the installation of thermal insulation, you can contact our managers for advice on a single toll-free number 8 800-250-26-65 . We will be glad to help you.

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 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 of dealing with 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 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 energyflex and is sold in the form of finished tubes of various diameters or in rolls.

Before use, the pipeline must be dried, then cut the elastic tunnel lengthwise and put it on the pipe. Joints are processed mounting foam and secure 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 in this 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

Pipe processing plumbing system is the most affordable and effective way to deal with condensate. Older systems usually consist of metal components and more subject to leakage and corrosion.

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

metal pipes

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

In the bathroom

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

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

If a faucet or shower drips, this contributes to additional cooling of the pipes. 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 benefit.

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 is also used mineral wool. 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 pipelines with cold water industry offers tools such as:

Graphoterm;
Stermizol;
Korund 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, black mold will appear in the tile joints.

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 correct the situation in the 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 that can only be performed by experts.

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 reasons for 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.

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 an increase in the overall temperature in these rooms;
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 roofing, 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.

In addition, excess moisture will sooner or later cause fungus and mold to appear 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.

Painting pipes with 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.
By putting a larger plastic pipe on the pipe and filling the space with 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.