Potential problem with stop tap

[alicel]

Hello
Having finally located the stop tap (or at least I think so!) in the cellar of our property, I now suspect we have a problem.

I attach 2 images - one a close up and the other a little further away to try and give a reference to the explanation below. I'm not sure it shows it well but basically I have a couple of concerns:

The foam around the pipe looks appallingly installed and is all coming away. There is even something that looks like foil wrapped around the pipe further away from the actual tap near to where it goes through the wall... Should I be worried about this?

Secondly (and probably more importantly) - the parts of the pipe I can see (directly around the tap itself and further down it in the gaps in the foam and where the 'foil' is ripped) the pipe is wet. There is no pooling that I can see (although the cellar is quite damp anyway) but the pipe has 'beads' of water right the way along until it goes through the wall. There was also a drip on the tap itself. There are electrical wires in the cellar too and I just think it all looks a bit dangerous...!

I'm pretty sure I need a plumber but just wanted a bit of advice as to what the problem might be and to try and understand if it sounds urgent to you more knowledgeable folk.

Would really appreciate any help you can offer

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

As it is the cellar, it could be condensation causing the moisture on pipes/stop tap. Improving the lagging will help this.
Looking at you picture, cannot get a real close up, as you must have some privity restriction on your profile.
But the foil as you call it, is that what is connected to the cable?
If so this should have BS951 printed on it and something like do not remove, electrical connection! This is a main earth bonding clamp connected to the main earth bonding of your electrical system!

 

[alicel]

Hi - thanks for your reply. I'll have to get the lagging improved by the sounds of it then...

Sorry about the fact you can't see the image. I don't have privacy on them so not sure. No the 'foil' is not connected to the cable. Basically, the lagging stops about a metre and a half from the the tap itself and there is this 'foil' around the rest of the pipe until it meets the wall. It's all very loose though and I can see a lot of beads of water here... above light bulbs which is concerning me.

I have added an image of this - I just hope you can view it.

Thanks again

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