Where does condensation come from on the toilet cistern, what to do?

The appearance of small drops of moisture on the toilet tank can cause serious damage. However, condensation is not always a consequence of faulty plumbing engineering, because even the microclimate can affect it. Today we have to figure out why the tank is sweating, and how you can deal with it.

Reasons for the appearance of condensation on the surface of the tank

First you need to understand what the concept of “condensate” means. If we go deeper into physics, “sweating" of devices is caused by a sharp change in temperature. This phenomenon is often observed after taking a shower, when the mirror “sweats.” With good ventilation and no problems, the water quickly evaporates.

If moisture begins to collect on the walls of the tank and drip down - this may be the “first call” indicating a system malfunction. Experts identify the following reasons:

1. Frequent use. The water accumulated in the tank does not have time to warm up to room temperature. This problem can often be found in large families.
2. Broken drain.Due to constant leakage, the water in the tank fills with cold water, which makes heating difficult.
3. Increased humidity in the room. Many people dry things at home, which creates a greenhouse effect.
4. There is a heating device next to the tank. An example would be the presence of a dryer running through hot water pipes.

These are the main problems that need to be addressed first. As practice has shown, many of them can be solved on your own.

Does it need to be removed? What consequences “threaten” the new appearance?

Any moisture must be dealt with. When it comes to condensation on the tank, experts highlight the following consequences:

• the accumulation of sediment in small cracks can lead to chips on the toilet enamel;
• due to constant stagnation of water, mold occurs, which negatively affects the respiratory system of household members;
• unwanted bacteria appear;
• metal elements begin to be destroyed by corrosion.

If you don’t immediately start fighting excess moisture, then in a few years it will be necessary to carry out a major restoration of the entire bathroom. For the average citizen, such expenses can have a negative impact on well-being.

How to get rid of condensation?

Before you begin to eliminate the problem, you need to study the main causes of its occurrence. There are individual instructions for each case, which can be found below.

Forcefully change the microclimate

Very often the cause of condensation is poor ventilation. For starters, it's worth check for contamination. This problem is relevant both for apartments in new buildings, where construction dust and materials often accumulate, and for Khrushchev-era apartment buildings, which have not been cleaned by public utilities for years.

An effective way to control humidity is installation of automatic hood. However, before this, you can check the hole itself for clogging by holding a match or lighter to it. If ventilation is in order, then you can install a portable dehumidifier, which will normalize the microclimate.

Heat water

As noted above, heavy sediment accumulates due to the high difference between the temperature of the water and the room itself. Increasing the fluid temperature to normal will help get rid of perpetual leaks.. There are several ways to solve the problem:

• insulating the pipeline is important for owners of a private house. The simplest method is polyurethane foam;
• conduct warm water to the tank;
• install a heating system - boiler room;
• create conditions for heat exchange; as an alternative, install an apartment riser;
• half drain. This is when cold water will be diluted with hot water.

Difficulties can arise if you use too hot water. The scale forms a nasty crust inside the tank, which can also cause even more problems. The average water temperature should be equal to the indoor microclimate.

Repair drain

You can also repair the drain yourself. It is enough to remove the reservoir cap and find the cause of the constant leak. How nodes interact:

• The fill valve regulates the amount of water in the tank. As soon as the float in it reaches the desired level, the water supply stops;
• The plastic float works like a rocker. Very often it is destroyed due to poor quality water. If this happens, you need to replace it;
• The drain valve in modern models is controlled by a button. Often it jams or does not reach the desired level;
• overflow prevents the water from reaching the super level.

Most often, the lever mechanism breaks (associated with a button). Water slowly penetrates through the drain, cold water refills the tank. The problem with condensation can be solved by repairing the fittings of the drain tank. Just 10-15 minutes of working with tools, and you can forget about excess moisture. Additionally, you can fix the joint with sealant.

Reduce the volume of drain water and air humidity

The less water in the tank, the faster it heats up. Moreover, reducing consumption will help save money, since the meter also reacts to the supply of water in the bathroom. As an alternative to the load that citizens often place inside the tank, you can use an additional tank. The distance between the walls and the new plastic tank should be 3-4 mm. To avoid leakage, it is recommended to install a seal.

Experts recommend that citizens purchase improved models with double faience. Then you can forget about adjusting the microclimate. Their cost is 20-30% higher than the usual option, but citizens get their money back by reducing water consumption and the cost of future repairs of the entire premises.

By the way! Forced ventilation can also reduce humidity levels. The cheapest and most effective way is to connect it to work by turning on the light. This will significantly reduce energy consumption and allow you to control the level of humidity without drying out the room.

How to prevent its occurrence?

There are several current recommendations to prevent the appearance of unwanted drops. For example:

• monitor ventilation: clean it in a timely manner, check the quality of work using a match or lighter;
• frequently ventilate the room, try not to dry things in the house with the windows closed;
• monitor the condition of the plumbing: if the drain button sticks, fix the problem;
• do not allow a large jump in temperature: install the toilet further from heating devices;
• reduce the water supply level.

If you plan to renovate the entire premises, It is advisable to replace a regular toilet with a “no tears” option. Then you won’t have to spend money on buying an additional tank, sealant, or worry about a flood from your neighbors.

Install a “double” tank

Installing a double tank does not require special knowledge or a lot of time. Experts have provided step-by-step instructions that allow you to carry out the upgrade on your own. Moments:

1. Simply unscrewing a single button and screwing on a double-standard one will not work. You will have to change all the fittings.
2. The cost of a two-flush mechanism will be fully recouped by the absence of leaks and water savings. It will be consumed in two modes - “half-flush” and “standard”. Half-flush allows you to mix cold water with water that has already warmed up.

Stages:

• after purchasing a new mechanism, the water supply is cut off;
• the remaining water from the tank is drained;
• old fittings are dismantled;
• the entire tank is removed;
• a new system is being installed;
• then the tank is reinstalled in its place. Particular attention is paid to the “lambs”. With their help, you can properly secure the tank, because even the slightest deviation can cause noise or leakage.

At the end, the double button is screwed in and the valve for water supply is opened. The whole procedure will take only 20-30 minutes.

Check ventilation regularly

When faced with a ventilation problem, experts recommend paying attention for the entire microclimate in rooms and non-residential premises. An alternative to an automatic system that intersects with light is:

1. Installation of holes in doorways. To make them look natural, you can insert a grille or special caps with a filter mesh into them, which will eliminate the transfer of dust and small particles due to the formation of an air flow.
2. There are special air dryers that are installed in the ventilation hole.
3. Salt can be a budget option. By placing a small amount of scented bath salts in all rooms, you can partially get rid of excess moisture.

The cause of condensation accumulation may be hidden not only in faulty plumbing. Often the problem is initiated by neighbors who regularly flood other citizens. For example, when installing suspended ceilings, you may encounter the fact that a neighbor will simply hide the fact that there was a leak. An unpleasant smell of mustiness and dampness for no apparent reason may be the first call to check the walls.

The second popular problem is leakage of pipes. Even the PFC system, which has a high rating for products related to plumbing engineering, has its own service life.

The third reason may lie in the eyeliner itself, which quickly breaks down due to impurities in the water.

Any repair must begin with an analysis of the situation. Placing a rag under the tank or regularly removing drops from the surface of the tile is not a solution. Neglect can lead to poor health and unnecessary costs for finishing the entire room.