Why the toilet bowl sweats: the causes of fogging and how to eliminate them

Modern toilets are convenient and aesthetically pleasing, and inside they smell pleasantly of flavored products. To be comfortable in the bathroom, it requires special care. Do you agree? Indoors, it is necessary to constantly clean and timely eliminate problems, including the formation of condensate.

If water constantly flows down the outer surface of the tank, an unpleasant odor appears in the apartment over time, and the plumbing device loses its attractive appearance. To get rid of condensate and avoid negative consequences, you need to find out why the toilet tank in the bathroom is sweating.

We will talk about how to independently figure out and eliminate the cause of leakage of the tank. Useful recommendations and expert advice are outlined in our material. For clarity, it is accompanied by thematic photographs and videos. This will help you get to the bottom of the problem faster.

Causes of condensation

If drops of water are constantly forming on the tank of your toilet bowl, you first need to identify the cause of their appearance.

A common cause of condensation in the toilet is a high rate of humidity in the room. To normalize this indicator, it is necessary to identify the cause of the increase in humidity.

Dry indoor air has a negative effect on human health, but also high humidity leads to bad consequences. This can cause the tank, walls and floor to fog up.

The increased humidity in the bathroom can be caused by various reasons:

• The apartment or house has a large aquarium or a lot of vegetation that requires constant watering. In these cases, the problem can be solved by installing dehumidifiers.
• Laundry and drying of laundry are carried out in significant volumes, which is more often observed in large families. It is recommended to hang the washed laundry on the balcony or in the yard.
• Moisture can settle on the drain tank and on the surfaces of the walls of the bathroom due to leaks in sewer pipes or connections. It is urgent to identify and fix the plumbing problem.
• Insufficient ventilation does not perform its functions, as a result of which the room cannot dry out quickly.
• Due to the breakdown of shut-off valves, cold water can constantly flow in the tank, which does not have time to reach room temperature and causes condensation to appear on the walls of the plumbing.

Condensation forms on the tank of plumbing equipment due to the fact that the air temperature in the room differs from the water temperature in the toilet by about 15 degrees. Therefore, the outer surface of the tank begins to fog.

Since water enters the toilet from a water supply system located underground or outdoors, its temperature depends on external weather conditions.

In winter, the heating season begins, during which the room heats up. During this period, there is the greatest difference in air temperature in the bathroom and water in the toilet

The laws of physics will help to identify the primary source of the occurrence of the malfunction. As you know, warm air flows in contact with cold water (in the drain tank) are converted into moisture droplets. You can stop the process of condensation formation on the tank with a more detailed study of the possible causes of this phenomenon and how to eliminate them.

Consequences of condensate on the drain tank

If urgent measures are not taken when water droplets appear on the toilet bowl, then a pool of water will appear under the plumbing equipment bad smell.

In the future, this will lead to the following consequences:

• increased humidity in the bathroom;
• the occurrence of mold and fungi;
• the appearance of an unpleasant odor of dampness;
• plumbing will corrode, which will rust and lose its attractive appearance;
• the formation of rust and corrosion, the gradual destruction of the sewer pipeline;
• the tank and its bolts will begin to rust, become worthless and require replacement;
• decay of floor and ceiling materials, which may cause partial destruction of the ceilings.

The problem of condensate formation in the bathroom, at first glance, may seem insignificant, but with prolonged ignoring of this phenomenon, serious consequences can occur.

Dampness, black mold, unpleasant aroma, discomfort and complaints from the neighbors below from the appearance of spots on the ceiling are the results of continuous condensation on the surface of the toilet flush tank.

Due to the constant condensation in the bathroom, the pipes corrode and rust, which subsequently leads to their destruction and leakage

In addition to pipe corrosion, there is a more serious problem. If for a long time to ignore the formation of puddles on the floor, then under the influence of moisture there is a gradual process of decay of floor materials.

As a result, water seeps lower, provoking the processes of rotting materials on the ceiling of the lower living neighbors. At first, raw stains will be observed on the ceiling. In the future, the destruction of the overlap between apartments is possible.

If you flush the toilet flush tank, you must take drastic measures immediately. Methods of dealing with unaesthetic condensate depend on the reasons for its formation.

Excessive water consumption in the bathroom

Sometimes the toilet bowl fogs up due to excessive water consumption. In bathrooms, where water is often flushed in the toilet, more cold liquid enters the tank, which increases the likelihood of condensation.

To solve this problem you need adjust fittingsby reducing the amount of water supplied to the tank. In a large family, they often use the toilet, so it’s better to buy a toilet with an adjustable or step flush.

The purchase of plumbing equipment with adjustable drain will reduce fluid consumption, save money and save the tank from condensation

Drain minimization can be done using toilets equipped with a tank with a two-button mechanism for draining water. If one button is used, 5 l of water flows from the drain tank, and if the other - about 7 l.

In some models, tanks with a drain of aquastop are installed. There is one control button in the lid: the first time you press it, the water begins to drain, and the second, this process stops.

Inadequate toilet ventilation

Sometimes it’s enough to install a ventilation device or an additional fresh air supply device to say goodbye to the problem forever.

How to check the ventilation system?

If you are sweating the toilet flush tank, you must urgently check the integrity and serviceability of the ventilation system in the bathroom. Paper, a candle or a lighter should be brought to the ventilation grill.

The system works fine if the paper sticks and the flame burns evenly. If paper falls or the flame goes out, then urgent measures must be taken to resume ventilation.

The process of diagnosing ventilation can be carried out independently by the landlord in a simple but effective way using improvised means

You can solve the problem of the constant appearance of condensate in the following ways:

• Cleaning the ventilation ducts.
• Installing an additional fan on the exhaust duct.

An effective option to get rid of exhaust air and get a clean inflow is to leave a gap 2 cm high.

An excellent solution is to install a multifunctional door valve that allows air to pass through from the outside and at the same time blocks unpleasant odors, eliminating their spread in residential areas.

In any room with high humidity (toilet, kitchen, bathroom) there are ventilation windows that provide optimal air circulation in the room

Malfunctioning ventilation system may be the reason that the tank is sweating. But most of the owners of the living space, trying to make a better view of the room, just close the ventilation openings with trim. You do not need to do this, a good option is to buy beautiful decorative lattices, which are exactly for this purpose.

Installation of a fan in the bathroom

In order to stop the process of fogging the tank, walls and floor in the bathroom, try installing forced ventilation in the room.

Sometimes a simple fan, which is mounted in the ventilation hole and begins to function when the light in the toilet is turned on, can eliminate the formation of condensation on the surfaces. If this does not solve the problem, it is worth calling specialists to install more efficient ventilation systems.

It is possible to improve the quality and circulation of air flows in the bathroom by installing additional modules in the room - fans and hoods

If the toilet flushes the toilet flush, the ventilation should be checked first. Some owners in order to "cultivate" the bathroom completely seal the existing ventilation holes.

Consumers should pay attention to the decorative grille, which will save you from ventilation problems and will look aesthetically pleasing. One way to resolve the issue is to leave the door to the bathroom ajar.

The most effective way to deal with condensation is to install a professional ventilation system that maintains an optimal level of humidity in the room

Installation of forced ventilation is often used in combined bathrooms, which are characterized by the appearance of condensation on the toilet, tile, ceiling, mirrors and other surfaces. In this case, it is better to install a professional ventilation system.

The power of the equipment must meet the operating conditions, then condensate droplets will cease to appear.

Installation of the axial fan in the exhaust outlet located in the bathroom is carried out in the following order:

In order to verify whether the ventilation in the plumbing unit works fine, you need to do a second check: light a lighter (candle, match), bring it to the hole and look at the light.

If it goes out or is drawn into the ventilation duct, the ventilation system functions well. If the flame position remains the same or the deviation is small - you need to consider another way.

Ways to deal with condensate

The causes of excessive moisture on the toilet bowl were described a little higher. Now let's look at the simplest ways to fix them.

If condensation on the walls of the flushing tank appears only in the summer, take the following measures:

Method # 1. Repair valves

A frequent cause of the formation of wet condensation on the outer surface of the tank is the failure of the shut-off valves and float mechanism. Due to a malfunctioning mechanism, cold water from sewer pipes flows continuously in the tank, without having time to settle.

As a result of the movement of cold water flows, condensation appears. If there is a meter, the landlord will have to pay for the leak.

If the drain tank of the sanitary equipment is broken, water constantly flows from it. Because of this, the surface of the tank will be colder than the air in the room, so it will fog up

Most modern models of plumbing do not involve a “local” repair, so manufacturers do not produce small spare parts for them. In the event of a breakdown, you will have to purchase a set of valves.

If you can identify defective structural elements and repair at the place of failure, you will be able to reduce the excessive consumption of cold water, which is important for housing with a meter.

You can solve the problem without the skills of working with plumbing using the wizard. If you are familiar with the principle of the drain system, then the repair can be done independently, while saving on the call of specialists.

Depending on the toilet model, there are two ways to solve the problem - replacement of valves or local repair of failed structural parts.

Method # 2. Water Leaks

Condensation may occur due to various factors, one of which is water leakage. More often, the breakdown is caused by malfunctioning parts of the valve and is observed when filling the tank with cold water.

Condensation forms at any pressure of the water, but the degree of fogging of the tank depends on the power of the pressure. To fix the problem, it is necessary to adjust the drainage system or replace faulty parts.

Due to water leakage, the air in the bathroom becomes more humid, puddles around the toilet and an unpleasant odor may appear

If water flows freely into a toilet in a thin stream, its volume in the drain tank must be constantly replenished. This explains the appearance of condensation on the surface of the tank, walls and floor, as well as high water consumption.

In some cases, replacing the worn rubber siphon membrane will solve the problem. The replacement process is as follows:

• all water is drained from the tank;
• the lever is fixed in such a position that the drain hole is closed by the valve, and water does not flow into the device;
• the siphon is disassembled by separating the part from the lever;
• take out the worn membrane, change it to a new one.

At the end, the siphon is set in place and a test drain is made.

When purchasing a new rubber membrane, it must be borne in mind that the dimensions and material of the part should ideally fit the design of your toilet

If the cause of the leakage of the toilet is in a defective float, you must perform the following steps:

• to get a float from a drain tank;
• pour water out of it and let dry;
• glue the hole through which water enters;
• set the float in place.

The best option is to buy a new float, since the repaired part will not last long. The problem can be easily resolved if a water leak occurs due to the incorrect location of the float.

To fix the problem, open the toilet bowl and set the lever to its normal operating position.

Method # 3. Installing a double-walled tank

Manufacturers of sanitary equipment have developed innovative toilet models equipped with a tank with a two-wall system. The design of the toilet is characterized by the presence of double walls in the tank for draining water.

In this case, the additional container made of plastic inside is not in contact with the walls of the main ceramic bowl, forming an air cushion.As a result, water has a constant room temperature.

In the plumbing market, you can find models of toilets that have an improved design of the drain tank, eliminating the formation of condensate. Double-walled drain tanks never sweat

A new constructive solution for plumbing developers makes it easy to solve the problem of fogging the toilet bowl. For most buyers, these models are not affordable - it is several times higher than the cost of standard toilets. Therefore, some home craftsmen independently make double walls in the drain tank.

The inner walls of the bowl are best treated with liquid waterproofing materials, for example, mastic. Adhesive materials are less effective and durable.

Method # 4. Thermal insulation of the drain tank

It is possible to isolate the walls of the drain tank from the action of cold water with the help of heat-insulating materials, which are firmly glued inside the tank.

In the process of installing insulation on the tank or pipes, special insulation materials and improvised means are used. Neoprene or expanded polystyrene foam is often used as a heater.

Some homeowners are independently struggling with the problem of fogging the tank of the plumbing device by pasting the inner walls of the tank with insulating material

Thermal insulation eliminates the contact of the walls of the device for draining from contact with cold water.

To obtain the desired result, you must perform a series of actions:

• Turn off the water supply to the plumbing fixture.
• Disconnect the hose through which water enters the drainage system.
• Remove the tank to drain the water.
• Disassemble all elements located in the middle of the drain bowl.
• Wash and dry the container dry.
• Cut the liner out of the insulating material (spread it on a flat surface, place a tank on it, circle the bottom along the perimeter and cut off the workpiece).
• Put the resulting workpiece inside the container and press firmly.
• Measure the internal height of the walls (from the liner to the top edge of the tank).
• Measure the perimeter of the walls by adding an allowance of 100 mm.
• Put the pattern in the middle of the container. Since the joint will overlap, it is necessary to press the workpiece against the wall and perform a through cut.
• Get blanks for further assembly.
• Apply sealant to the bottom near the holes for the fittings.
• Put the bottom in its place.
• Apply glue to the sides of the container, then put the inner liner.
• Fill the shear joint with silicone.
• Seal the joint between the walls and the bottom with a sealant.
• After 24 hours, you can make holes for the fittings, while applying sealant to the edges.
• Replace all elements.

Keep in mind that the thermal insulation of the toilet flush tank is not always able to solve the problem of fogging of the plumbing device

Other methods of dealing with condensate

Another solution to the urgent problem of increased humidity in the bathroom is the purchase of an air dryer.

The principle of operation of the appliance: a powerful fan directs the flow of moist air into a special cooling chamber, in which the process of moisture condensation and its separation takes place in a special container. Then the drained air is heated and successfully returned to the bathroom.

If forced ventilation installed in the bathroom cannot cope with excessive humidity, a compact portable air dryer can be used

In addition to the above methods of combating education condensate on the tank and other surfaces, experts suggest considering the possibility of installing heated towel rails.

Another simple but effective method of eliminating the process of moisture formation in the bathroom is to increase the temperature of the water, which constantly enters the home toilet system.

To begin with, it is recommended to try to properly insulate the sewer pipes.If this technique does not help, then you can install a special boiler designed to heat the water in the drain tank to room temperature.

If you can’t find out why the toilet bowl constantly sweats and remove the condensate yourself, you need to contact professional plumbers.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video # 1. Do-it-yourself thermal insulation of the toilet flush tank:

Video # 2. Installation and installation of a double tank:

Video # 3. The reasons for the formation of condensate on the tank and cold water pipes and methods for its elimination:

We gave possible reasons for the formation of condensate in the bathroom and listed effective ways to solve this problem. If you do not have the opportunity to buy and install an expensive professional room ventilation system, then try to ventilate it more often.

It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the plumbing and respond quickly to the appearance of condensation and puddles in the bathroom. Then the problem of plumbing fogging will disappear, and it will last for many years, and going to the toilet will be comfortable.

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