You may be asking yourself, “What the hell is a toilet sweat?” Creative minds may find a few avenues of answering this, but the truth is simple. When the toilet tank is cooler than the air around it, condensation (or sweat) will form on the outside. The tank fills with generally cold water, cooling the temperature of the tank itself. When the warm air circulating your home hits the cooled tank, moisture in the surrounding air will start to condense and collect. Not only can this be an irritating happenstance, but it can also lead to damp floors that invite mold/bacteria if not addressed. Here are a few suggestions we can recommend, helping you keep things dry & comfy!
- Replacing the tank/toilet with new. Replacement may, at times, be more of an effective solution. Models with built-in insulation are available and a low-flow toilet will use less water. Both options will mean less chance to get cold and clammy.
- Reduce humidity. Shorter shower times, leaving the bathroom door open or cranking the A/C if weather allows when showering, and installing/using a bathroom fan would all be viable options for reducing the moisture in the air.
- Installing a mixing valve. This type of valve will let a bit of hot water mix in with a supply of cold water, acting as an antiperspirant for your tank. Easy access to the hot water line will be necessary in avoiding excess work locating and tying in. This is absolutely a job that will require a professional, licensed plumber!
- Using a drip pan. Placing a tray under the tank as a stopgap may be a plausible temporary fix until you are able to work out a more long-term or aesthetically pleasing solution.
- Insulate. Purchasing and installing an insulation kit will help to balance out the temperature difference between your tank & the surrounding air. These kits will include an anti-condensation liner to prevent water from forming on the outside of the tank.
Whichever fix seems best suited to your needs, I think we can all agree nobody enjoys the shock of a cold, wet back when assuming the position! If you feel like your situation calls for expert hands/eyes to find the best solution, the technicians at Alpine Plumbing Heating & Cooling are standing by! Contact us today at (406) 252-7100 or visit us online at AlpineBillings.com.
