What is the purpose of this rag

[mrjharrison]

The pipes next to the bathroom has this rag between the two pipes. I only bought the house a couple of months ago and just noticed it. What is it for?

 

[Madrab]

Looks like water staining around that location, probably there to catch a leak, maybe around what looks like a balancing valve?

 

[footprints]

Looks like it was catching drips, is it still wet?
Work done recently so either to dry up or left "just in case".

 

[mrjharrison]

It’s moist in the middle and fairly dry on top.

 

[footprints]

It suggests there is a small occasional drip from the pipes above , look carefully around the joints, often best to run your finger around each joint to see if there is any moisture. If the whole pipe feels like it is sweating it may be condensation from a cold pipe in which case some pipe insulation should stop it, obviously if the pipes get hot it ain't condensation.

 

[mrjharrison]

One of the pipes is hot. The other is cold so it might be condensation.