If you notice water collecting around the base of your toilet, you either have a toilet leak or the toilet is “sweating.” Sweating occurs when condensation forms on the outside of the toilet tank and drips on the floor. Sweating is more of a problem in warm, humid climates than it is in other parts of the country. When cold water fills the toilet tank, moisture will condense on the outside of the tank just like on the outside of a cold drink.
If you have a toilet or toilets that sweat, you will need to take steps to stop the problem. Chronic sweating will eventually lead to a rotted subfloor and mold and mildew growth.
One way to reduce or eliminate toilet sweating is to install a whole house dehumidifier in your heating and air conditioning system. Reducing the humidity in the home will eliminate the sweating problem.
Another alternative is to install a foam liner inside the tank. The liner is glued to the inside of the toilet tank and insulates the porcelain tank from the cold water. In some cases, an anti-sweat valve can be installed that mixes some hot water with the cold water that fills the toilet tank. The warmer water will eliminate formation of condensation on the tank.
Finally, consider installing a new low flow toilet or a pressure assist toilet. Some low flow toilets don’t have as much of a sweating problem because they don’t drain all of the water out of the tank. The room temperature water in the tank mixes with the cold incoming water and keeps the water temperature in the tank high enough that sweating is not a problem. Pressure assist toilets use a separate inner tank to hold the water so sweating is not a problem. A plumber who handles bathroom repairs can help you find a new toilet or another solution to your sweating toilet problem.
