Unidentified conduit

[Crakkers]

Hello.
Pulling up floor boards in bathroom and I’ve come across what looks like a steel conduit. I say steel as one part is rusted. But what does it contain? Any ideas? I don’t want to cut into it in case it is of use, but I could do with removing it as it’s in the way. See photos.

Btw, semi detached house circa 1935.

Thanks in advance for informed help.

 

[Tricky-Dicky]

Why not undo the 3 screws and have a look. Most probably power cables. Can't be gas or water as that Tee isn't suitable.

 

[^woody^]

Gas?

 

[Crakkers]

Why not undo the 3 screws and have a look. Most probably power cables. Can't be gas or water as that Tee isn't suitable.

I was thinking exactly that tbh, but wanted some confirmation or direct knowledge of same. Thanks

 

[stevie888]

Old electrical conduit without the ag of cutting threads. Found this in my son's place.

 

[Crakkers]

Gas?

Hope not.

 

[Crakkers]

Old electrical conduit without the ag of cutting threads. Found this in my son's place.

How do I check if still in use??

 

[Murdochcat]

Definitely conduit for older style electrics

Can you follow it further along?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

How do I check if still in use??

It should have been replaced with modern wiring, decades ago - has the place been totally rewired?

Even then, the only way to be sure, is to trace where the conduit comes from, and goes to. It the ends are just cut off wires, then it should be fairly safe, to hacksaw through the conduit, and entirely remove it. If in doubt, get someone qualified in, to check it for you.

 

[stevie888]

How do I check if still in use??

It may well have live cables in at as sometimes sparkies will just pull in rew cables in. Found this at both son's place and our new abode. At son's it was thin wall stuff and I cut it with a normal pipe slice but in our place it's at least 2mm wall thickness and the pipe slice won't fit so out with the trusty hacksaw and a great deal of care as I needed the cables intact to go to a relocated ceiling rose. One of those "5 minute" jobs!!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It may well have live cables in at as sometimes sparkies will just pull in rew cables in.

Whilst that is true, they would only reuse the conduits buried in the walls, to avoid damaging the wall's decoration. Underfloor, there is just no need to reuse the conduits, and even if there was, the T joint would have been removed and discarded - because modern grey PVC sheathed cables do not need any further protection under floors.

What will be in that pictured conduit, is ancient VRI/VIR single cabling - rubber covered, then woven waxed cotton on top. Over time, what happened was - the rubber where exposed at the ends, became very driy and brittle, crumbling away. It might have been installed anywhere between the 1920's, and the mid 1950's. I would be very concerned, if I found any still in use in 2026, it should all have been ripped out decades ago. The conduits, were assembled, as the VRI cable were inserted in them, because there are no inspection covers - that simply could not be done using the later PVC.

My home is a mid1950's, and when new, that grip conduit, and VRI was used. Since then, it has twice been fully rewired with more modern PVC cable.

 

[Crakkers]

It should have been replaced with modern wiring, decades ago - has the place been totally rewired?

Even then, the only way to be sure, is to trace where the conduit comes from, and goes to. It the ends are just cut off wires, then it should be fairly safe, to hacksaw through the conduit, and entirely remove it. If in doubt, get someone qualified in, to check it for you.

Yes. House required about 30 years ago with a mcb board.

 

[Crakkers]

Whilst that is true, they would only reuse the conduits buried in the walls, to avoid damaging the wall's decoration. Underfloor, there is just no need to reuse the conduits, and even if there was, the T joint would have been removed and discarded - because modern grey PVC sheathed cables do not need any further protection under floors.

What will be in that pictured conduit, is ancient VRI/VIR single cabling - rubber covered, then woven waxed cotton on top. Over time, what happened was - the rubber where exposed at the ends, became very driy and brittle, crumbling away. It might have been installed anywhere between the 1920's, and the mid 1950's. I would be very concerned, if I found any still in use in 2026, it should all have been ripped out decades ago. The conduits, were assembled, as the VRI cable were inserted in them, because there are no inspection covers - that simply could not be done using the later PVC.

My home is a mid1950's, and when new, that grip conduit, and VRI was used. Since then, it has twice been fully rewired with more modern PVC cable.

Thanks!
I can see all the new cables in addition to the conduit

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Yes. House required about 30 years ago with a mcb board.

If it was a full rewire, then that conduit will be totally redundant.

During good daylight hours - turn the main switch(es) all off, undo the clamp on that T, and try easing it off enough to see what, if any cables are inside, then post a photo.