Hurricane Recovery Plans: It’s Not Just the Heat — It’s the Humidity (and the Wet Cabinets)

In South Florida, the summer humidity is brutal. And, while you’re focused on keeping your AC running and staying cool, there may be something quietly causing trouble behind the scenes: condensation on your plumbing.

That’s right. Pipes “sweat” in summer, and they can sweat enough to rot wood, grow mold, damage cabinets, and spike your maintenance costs without ever springing a traditional leak.

Let’s break down what’s happening, what to do about it, and how to include it in your hurricane recovery plan.

Why Are My Pipes Wet?

The science is simple:

When hot, humid air meets a cold surface (like a cold-water pipe), the moisture in the air condenses into droplets. That’s not a leak. That’s physics.

Unfortunately, physics doesn’t care about your drywall.

What Does This Actually Damage?

Even if you don’t see a puddle, this ongoing condensation can:

• Warp cabinet wood

• Soften drywall behind toilets or sinks

• Encourage mold and mildew growth (and that musty smell)

• Cause corrosion on copper or metal fittings

• Attract pests looking for moisture

If you’re in an older home, or managing a commercial space with tight utility closets, janitor sinks, or restrooms that aren’t air-conditioned then you’re a prime candidate for this issue.

Common Places We See It

• Under kitchen and bathroom sinks

• Around toilet supply lines

• In laundry areas (especially garages)

• Inside utility closets or mechanical rooms

• Behind drywall where cold pipes run through hot, uninsulated walls

The Fix: What You Can Do

This is one of those issues that’s low-effort to prevent but high-cost to ignore.

Insulate Cold Water Pipes

A simple foam pipe wrap from a hardware store can stop the warm air from ever hitting the cold surface. In South Florida, this isn’t about winter protection — it’s about mold prevention.

Improve Ventilation

Use vent fans in closed bathrooms and consider small fans or vents in tight closets to keep humid air moving.

Use a Dehumidifier

Especially helpful in laundry rooms or garages with water lines.

Get an Inspection

Not sure if it’s condensation or a slow leak? Let us check it. We’ve seen enough bathrooms to know the difference in seconds. If there’s a deeper issue, we’ll find it before mold does.

Bonus Tip: Clean the Damage

If you see mold or smell something funky, wipe down the pipe and surrounding areas with a mold-killing solution (like white vinegar or enzyme cleaner). If the material is soft, stained, or crumbling, definitely call us. You may need a minor repair before it becomes major.

Bottom Line?

If you’ve got damp spots but no visible leaks, sweaty pipes might be your silent culprit.

It’s not dramatic. It’s not glamorous. But left alone, it is expensive. And avoidable.

We’re here to help you sweat less — by making sure your pipes do, too.

Call Raider Rooter today to schedule a quick summer inspection as part of your hurricane recovery plan — before a little drip turns into a big deal. Or message us anytime. We’re cool under pressure.