Pipe sweating refers to the condensation that forms on cold pipes due to moisture in the air. Insulation or a dehumidifier can reduce this. It can also refer to a method of welding pipes together using a propane torch and solder.
Pipe sweats is a term used to mean a couple of different things. Cold pipes draw moisture in the air and cause condensation to form outside, for example, causing “sweat”. Plumbers also use this term to refer to a specific way of welding pipes together.
When someone has a glass of cold liquid, they may notice that they “sweat” when it’s hot outside. Pipes can do the same thing, particularly when the air is very humid, as water vapor in the air builds up outside the cooler pipes. When this is a concern, a dehumidifier can be used in a basement or anywhere there is a problem so that water does not pool and drip.
Another method to reduce sweating from pipes is to insulate pipes. Foam pipe insulation is available for this purpose at most hardware stores and usually just needs to be measured and cut to the right size. The insulation has a slot all the way down the side, so it can fit over pipes without a plumber or homeowner having to unplug anything.
In a similar phenomenon, the outside of the toilet tank sometimes sweats as well. While insulation can be used to reduce this problem, another solution is to install a demist valve. The valve mixes a little hot water with the water in the tank, preventing it from getting cold enough to make the tank sweat.
To a plumber, however, pipe sweating has an entirely different meaning. It’s actually a trade term for a way of welding pipes together with a propane torch. The copper pipes to be joined are heated at the joint, then solder is applied, a metal compound that is heated and used as a glue between the two pipes. This technique can be a difficult undertaking for beginners and it often takes a while for a beginner to get the hang of it.
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