Copper Pipe Condensation

[RituallyPure]

I have a bit of a dilemma...

I have copper pipes in my basement for my water supply. All of my cold water pipes are experiencing heavy condensation, to a point where they're dripping constantly. To make matters worse, this is a finished basement.

I've lived here for five years, and this is the first time I've seen this happen. It started a few months ago and has been getting progressively worse. In one of my utility rooms, where this quite a bit of the piping - the floor is absolutely drenched and is travelling into drywalled and carpeted areas, and making QUITE a mess.

From my water cooling experience, the first thought that entered my mind was, 'Well, these pipes need to be insulated.' ... The problem being, is that I have enough copper pipes that would make such a task more than a simple chore, and since my basement IS finished, a significant portion of these pipes are behind walls, or above finished, drywalled & stippled ceiling.

Does anyone know why my pipes are doing this, and what I can do about it?


Thanks!

[Gomer]

High humidity and warm temps. Dehumidify and/or cool the basement. Other than that ya need to insulate.

[Cyclone2]

Yep -exactly as Gomer says its caused by high humidity/temps on cold lines.


you could always turn them all into Hot lines

Dehum in the basement would be the easy way out

[mad1]

Try using a dehumidifier in the basement. I would get one that has a hose connection for the drain. Home depot carries several models. Dehumidifying the basmement will also keep the smell from the basement.

[MrMikeL]

Are you sure you don't have any actual leaks? My 25 year old house suddenly developed a pinhole leak near the main intake valve. Bad city water is the culprit here. had that one fixed, then a year later, another pinhole developed. Nasty stuff, these pinhole leaks.

[Siliconjunkie]

Or insulate them. If the air doesnt touch the cool pipe it won't condense.

[thekingofpain]

They sell a small pump that moves a tiny amount of hot water from your hot water line to your cold at the farthest faucet, it doesnt use much energy and makes your cold line slightly warm preventing the condensation...

[Chuckiechan]

Since this just started, I would look for a leak somewhere that is sending the extra moisture into the air to begin with. Look under the hot water heater with a flashlight to see if it may be leaking.

The humidity is either coming from the air naturally bringing in outside moisture, or from moisture evaporating from inside the structure from another source.

Just how cold are these lines? They must be running a lot to keep that cold all of the time! When water demand stops, the flow stops and the water in the pipe (should) warms up to room temperature.

[RituallyPure]

The house is air conditioned (the basement is freezing), and I don't think it needs to be dehumidified... The air is pretty dry, suprisingly enough.

As far as leaks go, I don't think that's the case here, as ALL of the cold water pipes are doing this. I also checked for a leak that could be sending moisture into the air, but couldn't find anything.

I've attached a picture of the pipe.

[Chuckiechan]

I think I see water stain around that pipe and the floor above!

I would suggest you get a pest inspection for dry rot, termites, etc. It's should be done every couple of years anyway.

I think there is something wrong here.