The benefits of a water softener tank jacket
You may have noticed that your water softener is sweating. This sweat may run off the tank and destroy the floor around your water softener. A water softener jacket is the best way to solve this issue:
Why is your water softener tank sweating?
Condensation leads to the formation of water droplets on the outside of a cold drink on a hot day. It may also cause your eyeglasses to fog when you enter a warm building after being in cool temperatures outside. Have you ever wondered why you cannot see yourself in the bathroom mirror when you get out of the shower? This is a result of steamed up water touching the cool surface of the mirror. Condensation is a result of water vapor condensing into a liquid when it touches cold water surfaces. This is the reason why your water softener is sweating. The vapor from a hot environment has touched the cool tank of your water softening system.
Normally, water softeners are placed in areas with little airflow, such as a basement, garage, or utility room. You may also notice that the summer is more of a problem when the weather is hot and humid. Rooms with water softening equipment lack air conditioning, as well as ventilation. These areas have warm and humid environments, eventually leading to water condensing on your equipment, causing it to sweat. The amount of sweat produced will depend on the temperature difference between the surrounding air and the tank.
The water softener equipment will sweat more in the regeneration process because, at this time, cold water is flowing through the system and ends up cooling the tank and pipes. In many cases, the water flowing from the tank’s walls to the ground may be too much and leave large pools of water on the floor. However, if you notice large amounts of water flowing to the ground, it may not be a result of condensation, and you may need to call in a professional to examine your system and check for any leaks. Do not confuse a sweating tank for a system malfunction such as an overflow of the brine.
Effects of water softener tank sweat
Whenever a cold liquid runs through a vessel situated in a warm environment, you get condensation. Thus, it is very normal for it to occur on the walls of water tanks, and sometimes it may not lead to any adverse consequences. However, excessive amounts of sweat may lead to water pooling out on your floor, causing it to be slippery. It may also damage your floor. The condensation is also a suitable environment for mold to grow, and after a while, the equipment becomes very fuzzy. Once it’s grown, the mold is very difficult to clean up. At the very least, it may lead to your tank being very slippery and disgusting.
What should you do about water softener tank sweat?
As mentioned previously, a little condensation on the tank should not concern you as it is a very normal process. Nevertheless, if the seat starts to pool at the base of your tank, it may damage or cause the floor to be slippery. You may need to get yourself a water softener jacket to insulate your tank and prevent condensation. The jacket will insulate the surface of your tank and create a barrier between the cool equipment surface and the warm, humid air.
The best jacket provides a snug fit, such as a neoprene water softener tank jacket. This is the simplest and best way to keep your equipment from sweating. These jackets not only work on water softeners, but they also work on iron filters, back washable carbon filters, among others, as long as the jacket is tight around the tank.
Neoprene is the same material used to build wet suits of scuba divers and in other marine applications. It is a highly resistant material that can withstand degradation from oil, ozone, heat, and chemicals, unlike synthetic or natural rubber. Moreover, neoprene is water-resistant, and it remains flexible when subjected to different temperatures. Because of its durability, it is the most feasible material to be used as a protective cover for water softening equipment.
Alternatively, you may decide to put air conditioning or continuously use a fan to keep your water softening tank dry. This is only a temporary solution and may be expensive in the long term. You may also choose to use ordinary bubble wrap or foam pipe wrapping to reduce sweating. These two methods will protect the tank from the warm, humid air surrounding it. However, the methods may also leave gaps on the tank where sweat will form, and bacteria will grow.
Another solution is to place a drip tray underneath the equipment so that the sweat may flow into it. Remember that you will have to empty the drip tray regularly to prevent the condensed water from overflowing. You may also use bleach to make sure mold and bacteria do not grow. All these alternatives have too many disadvantages, and the best solution is to use neoprene tank jackets.
How to install the tank jacket
These jackets are easy to install and do not require any moving of tanks or valves. You do not need to remove the water softener from the plumbing. The hardest task is to find the right size for your water softener tank. You can determine the size of the tank by reading the manufacturer’s label. It’s the four-digit number on the label. The first two digits are the diameter, and the other two represent the height of the tank. If you can’t find or read the label, measure your tank’s diameter and height. Once you get the right-sized jacket, all you need to do is to unzip it and drape it around the tank, then close the zip. Simple as that.
Protect your water treatment system
Neoprene jackets can be reused several times. You will need to machine wash it in cold water and hang it to dry after every use. The material will create a breathable barrier around your equipment, protecting it from dirt, scratches, scuffs, and mold on top of condensation.
Since water conditioning equipment is so essential to your house water supply, it is important to keep it clean, dry and mold-free so that it runs smoothly for many years. If this is an issue you are having, you might want to consider buying a tank jacket to ensure the long-lasting efficiency of your water softening system.
