What is this old pipe and can I get rid of it?

[Sprogginz]

Hi,

I've got this obsolete and unsightly pipe that comes out of the landing floor, across the wall and into the landing cupboard.

I'm assuming this is a water pipe and not gas although being ignorant in these matters I'm not 100% sure but I'm sure your good selves can kindly tell me judging by the photo.

I actually want to get rid of this pipe by cutting it at the point where it comes out of the floor. I'm in a flat on the second floor and this pipe runs down into the communal first floor landing and into the ground floor flat. I don't think any of this pipe branches off to anywhere else so I'm only assuming at this point that it's part of an old system that's no longer in use.

If I can cut this pipe, what do I use to put another stop on the new end? It looks like old lead piping.

Thanks and hope you can help.

Landing pipe

• Sprogginz
• 24 Jun 2013
• 1

This runs straight down through the communal landing on the 1st floor.

End stop

• Sprogginz
• 24 Jun 2013
• 1

Not sure how to open this to see what comes out and whether I can reuse it.

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[Dan Robinson]

That's a gas pipe. Possibly an old supply to a gas meter.

 

[Sprogginz]

Excellent, I'm glad it's gas, less messy!

Not sure if you'd be able to tell from the photos but would you know what items I'd need to make a new end stop? Would I need to do some soldering?
Thanks again.

 

[papasid]

I am afraid this is not a DIY job you need a RGI .

 

[gas112]

You need to call NG (transco) or equivalent for your area it is a service pipe and may still be connected with live gas a standard rgi cannot touch this legally

 

[Sprogginz]

Thanks very much for all your advice, I really appreciate it.

I have checked the gas pipe that runs from my own meter and can confirm it's not connected to this old pipe since it runs along and up the outside wall. Does this change the situation or do I still need to call Transco?

If I have to use Transco, do you have any idea how much you'd expect it to be, £50, £100, £150, £200?

Thanks again.

 

[HERTS P&D]

A customer of mine last week had a pipe like this and was not sure if it was live. He called his gas provider who came out and cut and cap it off out of site.

There was no charge.

Andy

 

[denso13]

Excellent, I'm glad it's gas, less messy!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-23019830
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-21964686

 

[Sprogginz]

Excellent, I'm glad it's gas, less messy!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-23019830
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-21964686

That's okay, seems to affect only northern folk

 

[Sprogginz]

Thanks very much again for all your advice.

Just to let you know, I've contacted National Grid [Transco] and they're sending an engineer round for free but just to check if the pipe is live. Then if I want it removed, I have to phone another department and pay for it.

You never know, this engineer might do it for few sheckles.

 

[ianmcd]

It should be dead if you have a new supply but there is always the possibility that it could be live that is why they are sending an engineer, this pipe was before the meter when it was installed there and is the transporters responsibility, if it is dead TELL them to remove it as it is their responsibility not yours and dont pay anything

 

[Sprogginz]

It should be dead if you have a new supply but there is always the possibility that it could be live that is why they are sending an engineer, this pipe was before the meter when it was installed there and is the transporters responsibility, if it is dead TELL them to remove it as it is their responsibility not yours and dont pay anything

Okay, thanks for that. I see what you mean. If it is live, shouldn't they still remove it for free because it's part of the old system that has no use anyway?

Thanks again.

 

[doitall]

It's illegal to have more than one service entry pipe per property.

 

[gas112]

If its live by law they should be disconnecting it in the street after 12months of non usage completely free of charge .
Someone is lying to you

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Often the case when new plastic mains/services are laid the old steel services are just abandoned. New services will supply an external meter so any old internal pipework is left in situ. Best to get it checked though, always assume live unless proved otherwise.