Stop pipe sweat 101

July 11, 9:52 PMNY Home and Living ExaminerDomenick Pilla

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Pipe insulation with peel-off adhesive strips

Summer is here and with it comes the park, the beach, baseball season and of course, heat and humidity. 

Pipes sweat when the water in a pipe is much cooler than the outside air. Couple this with high humidity, and you have sweating pipes. The physics of sweating pipes is the same as condensation on a glass containing a cold drink on a hot humid day.
In some cases, the condensation can be extensive enough to imitate a small leak.  

Pipe wrap insulation tape

There are a few solutions for sweaty pipes, but you should investigate the cause and not simply jump to a quick fix. Most likely, the culprit is humidity and not a pipe leak. If the pipes are in your basement, the reason for the higher humidity level could be as simple as hanging wet laundry to dry, or you may have a tub or sink full of water. On the other hand, the high humidity level could be due to a clogged dryer vent, which should be cleaned out. You could also have water seepage in your basement.

Foam pipe insulation comes in many colors

Once you’ve eliminated the cause to not be a serious problem, the solution is as simple as insulating your sweating pipes. Although there are many types of pipe insulation, the simplest and least costly is the tubular type with a slit down the length, so that you can simply fit it around your pipe like a sleeve. Make sure to check the diameter of your pipe before purchasing, as there are different sleeve diameters and thicknesses. Some of the insulated sleeves come with a pressure sensitive adhesive, so make sure you’ve wiped the pipe dry before installing.
Another option is to use insulated pipe wrap. This comes in a roll. You simply pull out a length and wrap it around the dripping offender. Before you wrap, make sure the pipe is dry for best results.
If you constantly have high levels of humidity in your basement you should also consider a dehumidifier to protect against mold and musty smells. 
  

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