What is this??

[Chriswheela]

One side of the chimney breast in our lounge is a boxed in section. I wanted to get rid but it seems there’s a lead pipe running down it. What could this be? Any ideas is much appreciated as I won’t touch it now, but I originally wanted to knock that out thinking it was just for electrics.

 

[Jackrae]

You need to advise what's on each end of it, including the "T"
The "T" looks like a drain valve which might suggest the pipe is part of a previous gravity hot-water system running from a coal-fired back boiler to a storage cistern.

You also appear to have a botched CPC connection as seen on the extreme left of the second photograph

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Never known lead used for Gravity Primaries, I's say either water supply, or given the location, gas. Possibly had a gas poker or something originally, which would have been fed by a rubber hose pushed onto that ferrule.

 

[bernardgreen]

Never known lead used for Gravity Primaries,

My parents in law's house was all lead including the back boiler to cylinder. Also it still had the lead pipes for gas lights but mother in law had the gas removed when they bought the house because "gas is dangerous" ( coal mining area )

 

[footprints]

The cream bit looks like a drain cock but cannot see the operating spindle (may be the other side) I would say old heating system myself. Gas fitters usually did not use wiped joints unless they were working on water, just a cup and blown joint as a rule.
Just a remote chance it is a rising water main.

 

[Chriswheela]

Thankyou for the answers. It’s looking like this could be something I could possibly cut off and get out then, which is great news as I’d love to get that boxing out to make it even.

 

[Madrab]

Could you zoom it out a little and give us a better view of the whole thing?

It's a bit like one of those "what's under the microscope" pics

 

[Chriswheela]

Problem is, I’ve only got this hole to look through.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Looks like they are lead primaries, first time I've ever seen that. Everyday a school day.

 

[Chriswheela]

Looks like they are lead primaries, first time I've ever seen that. Everyday a school day.

Lead Primaries? What are they in laymen terms?

 

[denso13]

Lead Primaries? What are they in laymen terms?

Flow and return pipes from an old back boiler to a hot water cylinder.

 

[HERTS P&D]

I like the second picture where the screw is 1/2 " away from the pipe.



Andy

 

[Chriswheela]

I like the second picture where the screw is 1/2 " away from the pipe.



Andy

Oh god! Yeah that’s not good!!

 

[Nige F]

Looks like they are lead primaries, first time I've ever seen that. Everyday a school day.

+1

 

[Chriswheela]

So I took the floor boards out above, and it’s Two lead pipes that been cut off half way across the room. So it is dead. Glad of that. So it can be ripped out! I’ll be careful of any excess crap in it before I do though