If you have found yourself troubled by condensation on toilet cisterns you might well be looking for a quick fix. We explain why it happens and how to deal with it
Condensation on toilet cisterns – aka 'toilet sweating' – might be a common problem for homeowners, but that doesn't stop it being an incredibly annoying one.
While it is always useful to understand how to stop condensation, toilet sweating is not, thankfully, anything too much to worry about. That said, a soggy cistern covered in running drops of water looks pretty unpleasant and will need a daily wipe down if you want to avoid water pooling around the toilet seat.
So, if you are determined to rid yourself of toilet condensation, we are here to take you through the easy steps you can take to minimise the issue.
Why does condensation on toilet cisterns occur?
It is always useful to to get to grips with why condensation occurs if you want to win the fight against it. In the same way as window condensation, when warm air hits a cold surface, moisture is pulled (or ‘condensed’) out of the air, settling on the cold surface as drops of water.
"There are three main things that will affect whether or not condensation forms in your home: air moisture levels, air temperature and the temperature of the surfaces this air is coming into contact with," says Chris Michael, managing director of UK air treatment specialist Meaco.
In the case of a WC, the cistern becomes a very cold surface every time the toilet is flushed and refilled with cold water. If the room is warm (which is often will be after bathing or showering), condensation will form on the cistern.
Obviously the warmer the room, the more condensation will form on any cold surface.
Chris Michael
Chris and his partner Michelle started Meaco in 1991. Meaco is now regarded internationally as a major player in the dehumidifier industry selling to 20+ countries throughout Europe, North America and South Africa. Meaco sets the benchmark for quality and development in its sector, leading by example and reducing the energy consumption of its appliances.
Can toilet condensation cause damp or mould?
It is natural to feel concerned at the sight of any kind of excess moisture in your home but the good news is that, while it might be annoying, toilet cistern condensation is actually to be expected.
That said, if left unchecked, it could lead to other, more serious problems.
For example, if you allow the water droplets on your cistern to constantly run down to the floor, damp could eventually form, leading to mould in bathrooms. What's more, if the water is left to soak into your bathroom flooring, it could lead to rotting issues with timber floor joists too.
This can all be prevented by keeping on top of the condensation by wiping the cistern down to dry it off.
How to stop condensation on toilet cisterns
There are several steps you can take to prevent – or at least minimise – toilet sweating.
"An easy fix is to make sure the room is properly ventilated," says DIY expert Steve Jenkins. This could be as simple as opening the windows in the room on a daily basis. "This isn’t always a viable option," continues Steve. "Who wants to open a window in the dead of winter and welcome in a gust of icy cold air?"
This is why it is also a good idea make sure you are aware of the best bathroom extractor fans on the market. These will ensure moisture is kept under control in the bathroom and should prevent toilet condensation becoming too much of an issue.
Another option is to keep the room at a slightly cooler temperature than the rest of the house by fitting a programmable radiator valve.
If you find that condensation is also forming on the walls and/or the ceiling of your bathroom then you would do well to look into adding in extra insulation. Keeping the walls and ceiling warm will stop the condensation forming on them — a product such as Sempatap, available from Insulation Superstore is specifically designed for this purpose.
Steve Jenkins
Steve is has been a writer and editor for two decades. He is an avid DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating homes. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has strong all-round building skills, having previously worked in the industry for 10 years.
A decent extractor fan can help the problem but increasing the ventilation in your bathroom(Image credit: Getty)
Can you insulate a toilet cistern?
In all honesty, insulating your toilet cistern might sound a little strange — but it could just ensure your toilet sweating becomes a thing of the past.
There are various DIY hacks you might like to consider, such as using bubble wrap to line the inside of your cistern. Alternatively, you could try using rolls of closed cell foam material or waterproof insulation.
That said, here in the UK, insulating the interior of a toilet cistern is not a common job, and unless you are seriously concerned about excessive condensation forming on your toilet tank it could be unnecessary providing you incorporate good ventilation. Emptying the cistern, cutting the insulation to fit and glueing it into place is time consuming and fiddly.
Lining the inside of your cistern with insulation should put a stop to toilet sweating — but it is a fiddly job (Image credit: Getty)
What is an anti sweat valve?
Again, this is not a common solution in the UK. However, it is possible to purchase anti sweat valves online.
These are basically small plumbing parts that are fitted into the cistern to introduce a small amount of warm water into the cold water that feeds into the toilet tank. Depending on your DIY plumbing skills, you may need to call in a professional to fit the valve.
Quick tips to reduce toilet cistern condensation
Aside from those mentioned already, there are a few other methods you can use if you are suffering from toilet sweating. These include:
Wait to flush the toilet until after showering or bathing — the water in the cistern should be a little less cold if it has been sitting in there a while, thus reducing condensation
Open windows regularly for good ventilation
Install a condensation drip tray. These plastic trays fit under the cistern and catch excess moisture — they don't look terribly attractive but they stop water pooling on the floor
Invest in a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air
Excess moisture and humidity levels that are off the scale are both causes of condensation in bathrooms and these can, if left unchecked, result in mould in bathrooms — a far more serious issue.
Be on the lookout for brown, black or yellow patches in the corners of the room and around the shower or bath. Not only does this look ugly and smell musty, but it can also lead to health issues. The key to preventing it is to follow many of the same steps as for reducing condensation and cleaning it up as quickly as possible.
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Natasha was Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and was a member of the Homebuilding team for over two decades. In her role on Homebuilding & Renovating she imparted her knowledge on a wide range of renovation topics, from window condensation to renovating bathrooms, to removing walls and adding an extension. She continues to write for Homebuilding on these topics, and more. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she also writes for a number of other homes titles, including Homes & Gardens and Ideal Homes. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project.
