Condensation on pipes is very common. Especially a lot of drops of water are collected on both metal and plastic products in the summer. This becomes a real problem, as puddles form on the floor, and pipes, due to constant dampness, rust and quickly become unusable. Also, mold appears on the walls, ceiling and in the corners of the bathroom, which negatively affects human health, causing allergies and frequent respiratory infections.
Reasons for the appearance
The formation of condensate on water pipes can occur for technical reasons, the main of which are the following:
- water leak from neighbors from above;
- poor performance or lack of ventilation system (constantly closed windows, exhaust hood clogging);
- malfunction or breakdown of plumbing (mixer, shower, toilet bowl);
- poor-quality pipe insulation or lack thereof;
- poorly thought out wiring configuration (hot and cold water pipes are not provided with thermal insulation and are close to each other);
- deterioration of fittings on metal-plastic and polypropylene pipes;
- problems arising from the operation of the building and communications (flooding of basements, emergencies in the water supply and sewage systems, blockages in ventilation ducts);
- defects during construction (poor-quality thermal insulation of walls, lack of waterproofing of the foundation).
Also, the formation of moisture on the pipes is significantly affected by reasons that are difficult or almost impossible to eliminate. It:
- climate and external weather conditions (terrain with high humidity, prolonged rainfall in the form of rain and snow);
- the difference in temperature on the surface of the pipeline and the air in the room (if the difference in performance is more than 17 ° C, drops will necessarily appear on the pipes);
- geographical features of the area (the presence of large bodies of water near houses, increased air humidity in combination with rocky soil).
For whatever reason condensation forms on the pipes, the problem must be identified and eliminated. You can daily remove moisture from the pipes and constantly wipe the puddles that form on the floor, but in practice it is very long, difficult and unpleasant. Moreover, in most hard-to-reach places of the bathroom (under the bathtub, behind the shower), this is not possible. From which it follows that it is necessary to deal with condensate thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Problem Solving Methods
In most cases, you can cope with moisture on the pipes yourself, by regulating the ventilation system and providing pipes with thermal insulation. Ways to solve the problem are relatively simple and accessible to everyone.
Thermal insulation device
If the cause of the condensate is the temperature difference, it is necessary to insulate the risers through which cold water flows. The most inexpensive option is a vapor-tight thermal insulation made of foamed polyethylene. It is called energoflex and is sold in any hardware store in the form of soft tubes of different diameters cut along the length. The insulation is simply put on the pipe and glued with waterproof tape. It is very important not to make a mistake with the size, otherwise there will be no desired effect.
It is much more expensive, but more efficient to coat the pipes with special heat-insulating paint, for example: Corundum, Isollat, Astratek, Bronya. To do this, apply 4-5 layers of the substance, after each has dried. In the process of work, it is required to ensure good ventilation of the room.
For greater effect, you can combine 2 of the above methods.It is also allowed to apply two more layers of paint on top of the energy flex, but with the condition that the material is firmly glued along the sections.
You can also create high-quality thermal insulation using putty. For this:
- Clean and dry the surface of the riser or wiring.
- Wipe the pipe with acetone and treat it with an anti-corrosion agent.
- Brush a layer of epoxy putty.
- Wrap the pipe with a cloth over a damp surface.
- Apply a few more layers of putty after each has dried.
- When the last layer dries, treat the insulation with rough sandpaper and paint.
Ventilation
Bathrooms, toilets and kitchens in apartment buildings are equipped with a centralized ventilation system, the capabilities of which are designed for many years of operation. But often, in practice, it does not work as efficiently. To check the functioning of the system, simply bring the burning match to the ventilation grill. If it does not go out, there is a problem with a blockage on the face. Its solution will require a simple algorithm of actions:
- Check the ventilation hole for dust, cobwebs, debris.
- If it is found, remove all dirt with a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth. If the blockage is deep in the ventilation shaft, contact the home's CC with a request to send a specialist to check and fix the problem. Such work should be free of charge.
- Install a new or well-washed and dried old grill, or a special fan to create forced air exchange.
For natural ventilation, leave the bathroom and toilet open at night. You can drill several holes in the bottom of the door with a drill with a special nozzle or widen the gap above the nut.
A good option for natural ventilation is the installation of micro-ventilated plastic windows.
Communications Repair
First of all, it is necessary to visually inspect the pipeline in the bathroom, in the kitchen, in the toilet. Leaks are usually visible to the naked eye, but in rooms where pipes are located in walls and ceilings, it is more difficult to identify the problem. To do this, you need to disassemble a drywall box covering the communications or call plumbers with special equipment that helps to detect a leak. Repair or replacement of risers, wiring, faucets, showers and toilets is also best left to professionals.
Installation of steam traps
Steam traps are special devices that remove moisture automatically. They are installed in the places where water droplets are most concentrated, mainly in the industrial sector, but quite often in residential premises. Depending on the design and principle of operation, steam traps are:
- float;
- thermodynamic;
- bimetallic.
When choosing and installing such equipment, various criteria must be taken into account, therefore it is better to entrust the solution to this problem to professionals.
Condensation must be removed immediately after moisture droplets appear on the pipes. If you ignore the problem, it can cause large financial investments. You will have to change not only the risers and wiring, but also completely finish the bathroom, or worse, pay for repairs to neighbors.
