Cold pipes

Mains water comes into a property at about 8°C in winter. This is often cold enough to cause condensation, unless the pipes are insulated, or vapour is extracted at source through good ventilation.

Mains water pipes sometimes imbedded or are otherwise in contact with a wall, causing localised heat loss to the wall and condensation, known as thermal bridging.

Top tips

1. Use a thermal camera or laster thermometer to identify the effects of a cold water pipe in winter.
2. Insulate cold water pipes with pipe insulation.
3. Insulate the wall, such as with thermal lining paper or thermal insulating plasterboard.
4. Reduce the contact that a cold water pipe has with a wall.
5. Consider localise heat and or air movement.
6. Check your ventilation.
7. Reduce humidity through improved ventilation.