My Toilet Sweats at the Base by the Floor

Shower steam can lead to excess moisture in bathrooms.

A sweating toilet is distinct from a leaking toilet as it is not water emerging from the tank or toilet bowl itself, but from moisture already present in the atmosphere. Sweating does not produce as much water as an actual leak from the toilet base itself, but can still damage your bathroom. A sweating toilet can usually be improved without professional assistance.

Toilet Temperature

Toilets are continually refilled with cold water after each and every use. This means the toilet unit never gets close to room temperature, even on hot days. Bathrooms tend to contain a lot of moisture in the air, due to the regular use of showers and taps.

Process

A sweating toilet base usually occurs in warmer climates, whereby warm air comes into contact with the coldness of the toilet’s porcelain. This causes beads of condensation, also known as sweat, to form on the porcelain and drip onto the bathroom floor. The presence of condensation can lead to mold developing and to the rotting of the toilet subfloor.

Foam Liners

A sweating toilet base can be fixed by installing a foam liner in the toilet tank. Foam liners are available from home improvement or hardware stores and work by insulating the toilet and preventing it dropping to low temperatures. The water supply should be switched off and tank drained off water before attempting to fit the liner. A foam liner is usually attached to the inner surfaces of the toilet tank using glue, once the interior tank walls have been thoroughly dried.

Tempering valves

Anti-sweat valves, also known as tempering valves, are another effective means of preventing condensation on toilet units. A tempering valve is usually fitted to a toilet’s cold water line and works by allowing a small amount of hot water to mix with the cold water as it refills the toilet unit. This keeps the temperature of the bowl and tank at a higher temperature and reduces the likelihood of condensation forming.

References

• Toilet Repairs: How to Repair a Sweating Toilet