Toilets, being one of the most heavily used plumbing fixtures in a home, are subject to a variety of ailments, from the merely annoying to the positively catastrophic. One relatively harmless, yet potentially damaging problem is a tank that always seems to be sweating. This article will discuss things you can do about your sweaty toilet tank.
At the heart of this issue is the temperature difference between the water inside your toilet’s tank and the air in your bathroom. The colder temperature of the toilet causes water vapor present in the air to condense on the outside of the tank. This is not a problem for the toilet. When the amount of condensation is great enough, it tends to drip down onto the floor. Over time, this can lead to warped flooring, mold growth, and even rot.
Solution #1: Antisweat Valve
Antisweat valves are sold in plumbing supply and home centers. They are installed by a plumber. An antisweat valve adds a small amount of hot water to the cold water line. This Old House recommends using an adjustable antisweat valve.
Pay the extra $10 or so for an adjustable model. It allows you to regulate the water temperature and shut down the hot-water side completely when it’s not needed. For our installation, we chose the Adjusto-Temp adjustable toilet valve, from Universal Rundle (Model 5025-1, $33).
Solution #2: Tank Liner
Rigid expanded polystyrene sheets insulating the cold water in the toilet tank from the warm, humid air in the bathroom. This will help with preventing condensation on the tank. This is a quick and relatively inexpensive solution. However, it will often be less effect than some of the other solutions.
Solution #3: Drip Tray
The most basic way of preventing tank condensation from leading to water damage is to install a drip tray on the floor around your toilet. By catching falling water, these trays prevent the state of constant dampness that tends to lead to more serious issues. Drip trays are an attractive option in that they are inexpensive and easy to install. That said, many people find them unattractive. Likewise, you must be prepared to empty them on a regular basis.
Solution #4: Toilet Flapper
A sweaty tank is often caused by a toilet flapper that has become cracked, corroded, or otherwise damaged. This causes water to slowly escape from the tank. When the water lowers to a certain point, it will trip the fill valve and cause the tank to begin filling once more. This near-continuous influx of cold water only exacerbates the temperature difference at the heart of the problem.
Having a fresh new toilet flapper installed is often all it takes to eliminate a sweaty tank. If you suspect that your toilet is in need of this or other plumbing upgrades, please contact Aladdin Plumbing.