Why would my copper pipes in my basement sweat in the winter?
is it the cold water pipe that is wet? if so you may have a leaking faucet or something and the cold from the water and the warmth from the heat in the basement is making the pipe sweet. If it is because of humidity the windows and mirrors in the basement will get wet also. Make sure your dryer vent is not plugged or leaking this will cause a lot of humidity in the basement.
It is all about the difference in temperature and relative humidity in the air. You did not mention if the pipes are for hot or cold water. Since they are copper I am assuming they are hot water pipes. If so, I would suggest you insulate the pipes, because you are paying to heat up water that is loosing temperature along the pipes, when they are in contact with cold basement air. If the cold water pipes are sweaty, you might have a moisture problem in the basement and the sweaty pipes are not the only thing you should worry about. Moisture brings mold. Mold brings rot and spores than can trigger allergies. Moisture also makes your whole house hard to cool and heat. Get an inexpensive hygrometer and check the RH is the basement. If the readings are at or above 60% consider running a good dehumidifier.
is it the cold water pipe that is wet? if so you may have a leaking faucet or something and the cold from the water and the warmth from the heat in the basement is making the pipe sweet. If it is because of humidity the windows and mirrors in the basement will get wet also. Make sure your dryer vent is not plugged or leaking this will cause a lot of humidity in the basement.
It is all about the difference in temperature and relative humidity in the air. You did not mention if the pipes are for hot or cold water. Since they are copper I am assuming they are hot water pipes. If so, I would suggest you insulate the pipes, because you are paying to heat up water that is loosing temperature along the pipes, when they are in contact with cold basement air. If the cold water pipes are sweaty, you might have a moisture problem in the basement and the sweaty pipes are not the only thing you should worry about. Moisture brings mold. Mold brings rot and spores than can trigger allergies. Moisture also makes your whole house hard to cool and heat. Get an inexpensive hygrometer and check the RH is the basement. If the readings are at or above 60% consider running a good dehumidifier.
