Does anyone know what this is?

[waran]

Any help with identifying this would be much appreciated

It's about 4" in diameter and about 2" in height. It's positioned near the chimney breast.

I think it may be a pipe cap but I'm not sure. Could it be for a gas pipe?

Any ideas on how I change it for something a little less obtrusive so that I can laminate over it?

Thanks

 

[oilman]

You'll de-value the house, why not make a feature of it?

 

[Registered Gas Man]

Looks like a cap for some sort of pipe!!

Is the top knob seperate? If so can you slacken it and see what it actually is capping off. Meaning does water seep out can you smell gas e.t.c. Second thoughts leave it be, you may be in trouble if it wont tighten again

 

[bibble]

I had something like that in my last house (built 1890).
It was an old gas outlet. It was disconnected long ago (I lifted floorboards to check where it went).

Steve.

 

[MANDATE]

Is it positioned on the floorboards?.
Does it look totally sealed or is there a adjustable vent ?.
It reminds me of a 'baxi' back boiler from the 1940s which had a ash tray sunk below floor level and a pipe to supply air under the floorboards.
This pipe could either terminate outside or on the floorboards near the chimney breast with an adjustable flap, so the air flow could be restricted.
The purpose being to keep a coal fire burning throughout the night at a low level. This was the modern alternative to using ashes and potatoe peelings placed on top of the fire to provide slow burning.
Is there any way of tracing where it leads to?

 

[waran]

Thanks for the replies all.

Oilman - I'm afraid the missus thinks it's an eyesore so it's got to go! Detracts from the modern minimalistic look. Although any bright ideas on how to make it a feature would be welcome.

Registered Gas Man - Nice thought on the experimentation but I agree that potentially too risky in an uncontrolled manner.

bibble - interesting Steve, might be a redundant pipe. Unfortunately its into concrete so dificult to see where it goes. Although going by a few other things I've found in this place I wouldn't be surprised that it's obsolete. Except if it is redundant why not just concrete over it in the first place?

Mandate - As above, it's in concrete so can't tell where it goes. Looks sealed to me but possible that the top nipple thingy could be some sort of adjustable device. I do believe there used to be an open hearth located near it. I'll have a look outside to see if there any vents but doubt if I'll find any.

Was chatting to a mate who suggests something on the lines of the registered gas man. i.e. shut off gas and water and then try to undo it and see what happens. Only problem is what if I can't replace it. Will probably need professional on standy. Any recommendations for a CORGI plumber in the Blackheath/Greenwich area of SE London?

Cheers

 

[Jim]

I wonder whether the thingy is a release valve for an old back boiler in case the back boiler got too hot. I used to have such a system in an old house.
Jim