Cottage Q&A
QUESTIONSince we drilled a deep well a few years ago, we've had a problem with condensation dripping from the toilet tank. We've had to replace the floor and plywood subfloor in that area, and now we cover it with towels to soak up the moisture. The tank has an insulation lining, which may need replacing. Do you have any solutions?
ANSWER
Sounds awfully familiar. I, too, have a deep, cold well, and on humid summer days my bathroom floor is festooned with damp, clammy towels soaking up the condensation from my sweaty toilet. I'm glad you asked the question, because we've unearthed several possible solutions.
A plastic drip tray, which fits under the tank, is fairly inconspicuous, and catches the moisture so it can evaporate harmlessly, is available from building-supply and hardware stores.
Since you suspect it's your lining that needs to be replaced, you can buy a new liner kit, also at building-supply and big box stores; however, our plumbing experts advise us that replacement is not an easy job. Often, the old foam liner is brittle and cracked, and hard to remove. Air out the outhouse; your toilet will be out of commission for at least a couple of days, since the porous, unglazed interior of the tank must be allowed to dry completely before you can glue in the new lining.
Perhaps the most elegant solution (and possibly the most expensive, apart from buying a new insulated toilet) is an anti-condensation mixing valve, such as the one made by Beacon Valves. It's de-signed to mix a small amount of hot water into the tank, raising the temperature just enough to prevent condensation. Some models are preset at 32°C, while others can be adjusted. You'll likely need a plumber for this; the cost depends on how complicated it is to bring the hot-water supply to the tank.
* Published in the April/May 2005 issue of Cottage Life
