Damp in living room wall near water tank

glasmale26 · Post by **glasmale26** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:31 pm

Hi, hope one of you experts may be able to help me!
I have a cupboard which houses the water tanks, one cold one located high up and one hot one at ground level,
The wall which the cupboard is on suffers from damp with paper pealing and a mouldy smell,
A few months back I ripped out the plaster back to the brick work which had black mould on it,
I rebuilt the wall with new plaster and repapered but the problem has come back,
My question is this, to solve the problem I'm guessing that one of these tanks may have a little leak?? Would that make sense?? Or is it more likely that they just need insulated???
I want to be sure before ripping it al out again and trying to repair the problem!!
Also further away another wall has a similar problem, it has a heating pipe running at the base of it feeding the bathroom radiator. The pipe is above ground level as the bathroom was 'added' as an extension.
Again, would it make sense that replacing this whole length of pipe back to the tank might solve the issues????

Hope that all makes sense an thanks in advace for any help!

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:56 pm

I would say the problem is more likely condensation as a result of a faulty system.

Is the water hot in the cold tank.

More information would be good.

A pic would be great.

glasmale26 · Post by **glasmale26** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:15 pm

Thanks for the reply,
Cant get a pic just now as its a house I own and rent out,
There did seem to be some condensation on the pipes in the cupboard so that may support your theory,
I have been up in the CWST and the water didnt seem hot,

What I'm trying to work out is who I need to fix it,
I take it a plumber would be first port of call??

Or is it something thats easily solveable?

There is no other signs of leaks, just that the wall infront of this cupboard is mouldy and feels damp/ cold and also further along where the heating pipe runs in also mouldy and damp.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:32 pm

First thing is to try and identify the problem.

You need to check the tank after the heating or hot water has been on for an hour or more.

Lag any cold pipes, and get a proper jacket on the cylinder etc will save a bucket load of money.

Initially a builder is probably the best tradesman to get in.