pressure tank, condensation
#1
06-23-15, 11:07 AM
pressure tank, condensation
I'm going to be replacing a pressure tank in a couple of months as it's 25 years old but the current one creates condensation from the cold water, warm room temperature difference.
Should the pressure tanks sit on plastic trays like water heaters do?
The walls were drywall before and there was a lot of black mold gathering behind the baseboards and up to about 2 inches high on the drywall.
Is there a better material to use, tiled baseboard for example?
It's housed in an entrance walkway/cupboard.
Should the pressure tanks sit on plastic trays like water heaters do?
The walls were drywall before and there was a lot of black mold gathering behind the baseboards and up to about 2 inches high on the drywall.
Is there a better material to use, tiled baseboard for example?
It's housed in an entrance walkway/cupboard.
#2
06-23-15, 11:40 AM
Member
Need to figure out how to condition that area.
Adding a register and return air vent, dehumidfier.
Adding a register and return air vent, dehumidfier.
#3
06-23-15, 11:56 AM
Group Moderator
Something is wrong moisture wise if you have mildew growing. The area may need better ventilation or you can try insulating the pressure tank.
#4
06-23-15, 12:39 PM
The moisture is coming from the pressure tank condensation, no?
Can't really add ventilation as it's a 8 x 2ft entrance with doorway and it's below ground at the back, door at the front. Any ventilation would let in a lot of cold winter air.
Can't really add ventilation as it's a 8 x 2ft entrance with doorway and it's below ground at the back, door at the front. Any ventilation would let in a lot of cold winter air.
#5
06-23-15, 04:20 PM
Group Moderator
No. The pressure tank does not "create" moisture. It merely condenses what's in the air around the pressure tank. So, the water is already there in vapor form and the pressure tank in summer is merely converting it to liquid. Insulating it would prevent it from sweating and dripping but won't change the amount of moisture in the space. How about a small dehumidifier in the space? You could just run it in summer or when moisture is an issue. If there is not a lot of air exchange in the space you could get by with an inexpensive Peltier dehumidifier but if there is a lot of moisture or air moving in and out of the room you might need a proper compressor style dehumidifier.
#6
06-24-15, 10:15 AM
ok, next issue. We leave the place empty for a week at a time, sometimes longer so it might start to overflow or rather fill up and stop.
Could insulate the tank with something but then mold might get trapped between the tank and insulation material?
Could insulate the tank with something but then mold might get trapped between the tank and insulation material?
#7
06-24-15, 11:49 AM
Group Moderator
I have a small peltier dehumidifier in a vault room in a house in Central America used a few times a year. Humidity, mold and mildew are a major problem. I put a drain line on the dehumidifier's reservoir and set it high enough that I could run the line outside and let it drain by gravity. Since the room is reasonably well sealed the little dehumidifier does a great job since the door stays closed and there's no air circulation.
Mold shouldn't be a problem if you insulate the tank. The insulation should prevent the condensation which is a first step for mold. And if you use a insulation with a vapor barrier it would further prevent the humid air from contacting the cold tank. An insulation kit intended for a water heater would probably be perfect as most kits seem to have plastic faced insulation sheets. When I Googled there is even one company that sells big insulation bags specifically for water pressure tanks.
Mold shouldn't be a problem if you insulate the tank. The insulation should prevent the condensation which is a first step for mold. And if you use a insulation with a vapor barrier it would further prevent the humid air from contacting the cold tank. An insulation kit intended for a water heater would probably be perfect as most kits seem to have plastic faced insulation sheets. When I Googled there is even one company that sells big insulation bags specifically for water pressure tanks.
