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Started scraping paint off the kitchen walls and realised previous owners covered some mould with a piece of wood. Upon removing realised there are 2 pipes (from mains water to upstairs) running in the plaster. These must've got condensation on or something cause the plaster is damp and scrapes away easily - can be scored with a fingernail. I don't think it's a leak as there isn't any actual water and the plaster is only damp rather than soaking.

What should I do?

Remove all the plaster around them and box it in some MDF? Or is there an easier fix?

Hi jw17835,
The mains pipe will always suffer from condensation forming on it. If you remove the plaster the condensation will collect at the bottom of the pipe.
You could try removing sufficient of the plaster so you can fit pipe insulation and then cover it with a upvc board. You could combine this with replacing the pipe with a plastic one.
Either way it's likely to be an ongoing issue.
Regards S.

stoneyboy wrote:Hi jw17835,
The mains pipe will always suffer from condensation forming on it. If you remove the plaster the condensation will collect at the bottom of the pipe.
You could try removing sufficient of the plaster so you can fit pipe insulation and then cover it with a upvc board. You could combine this with replacing the pipe with a plastic one.
Either way it's likely to be an ongoing issue.
Regards S.

Thanks for the tips and advice, definitely a way to move forward! You say it's going to be an ongoing problem, is there a permanent solution?!

Hi jw17835.
Presumably the pipe is located in either your kitchen or bathroom - both damp places at times. If feasible you could relocate the pipe route so it goes through a 'drier' room.
Regards S.

Hey @jw17835.
Hope you are fine...
Will you please give a photo of that?
It should help you to give a permanent solution.

Is your problem solved?