copper cylinder possible leak

jackboy

I have severe damp in the walls of my hotpress. It goes from the floor up about eight inches. The plaster is crumbling. I strongly suspect the copper cylinder but can't pinpoint the leak. What would be the most likely points of leakage (top or bottom etc)?

Sir Arthur Daley

Can you put up pictures?

M.T.D

I would suspect any connected pipe work first. Leaking joints on brass/copper fittings usually go green, harder to tell on plastic but usually evaporating water leaves some residue. The joins might only leak sometimes e.g. leak when pipes are hot but not when cold or visa versa

jimf

let the system go cold for about 12/24 hours and it should be a lot easier to pinpoint I would think a joint before cylinder as well

jack of all

If you have a concrete floor it could easily be the base of the cylinder that is leaking as the alakali in the concrete can attack the copper over time, especially if damp/ condensation forms on the underside.

jackboy

jack of all wrote: »

If you have a concrete floor it could easily be the base of the cylinder that is leaking as the alakali in the concrete can attack the copper over time, especially if damp/ condensation forms on the underside.

Yes there is a concrete floor and the cylinder is sitting on it. The cylinder has been there for ten years. I think I will need to bite the bullet and get a plumber to have a look