How to Stop Sweaty Pipes
When cold pipes come into contact with warm, humid summer air they can start to sweat and form condensation. If enough condensation forms, it may begin to drip and create puddles on your floor as well as add to the overall humidity of your home. This can be especially true for basements in Minnesota, which tend to be a little damp to start with thanks to our humid summers.
A quick, easy and inexpensive fix is to insulate your exposed cold-water pipes. This can prevent the pipes from sweating and reduce humidity levels in your home this summer.
If your cold-water pipes are breaking a sweat in the summer heat, follow along below to cut the condensation.
How to Install Foam Pipe Insulation
Foam pipe sleeves are available in 6-foot lengths, allowing you to cover a lot of ground quickly. They are also easy to cut so that you can trim them to the correct size with nothing more than a utility knife. They come in different diameters to fit different pipe sizes, so before purchasing be sure to measure the length of pipe you need to cover as well as the diameter of the pipe you are covering to get the best fit. They are self-sealing options, but you can also purchase seam sealing tape separately if you prefer.
Tools and Materials Needed for this Project
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Foam pipe insulation
- Seam sealing tape
Installing Foam Pipe Insulation
As far as DIY projects go, it doesn’t get much simpler than this.
- First, position the sleeves lengthwise along the pipe and pry open the slit in the sleeve. If the length is too long, trim to size using a utility knife.
- Next, slide the sleeve over the pipe and the slits will close around the pipe.
- If your pipe turns, miter-cut the sleeves to fit around the corner.
- Then seal the seam. Either using the self-sealing seam or purchased seam sealing tape. Duct tape will also work to close the seam.
If that doesn’t solve your moisture issues, and water is still pooling on your floor you may have a small leak somewhere along the pipe. Call a trust plumber to help you locate and repair the leaking pipe. One Hour Rooter has been serving the Minneapolis metro area with fast, professional, superior quality plumbing service since 2012. If you have any questions about your home’s plumbing or need help, give us a call at 612-354-8984 or contact us online.
