What is this pipe? Can it be removed?

Chuck_Wood · 02-14-2013, 04:45 PM

Hi there,

I'm hoping someone can give me an answer as to what they think this pipe is for (pictured below):

It is approximately 4' tall rising out of the concrete slab of the basement foundation, in the utility room. It has been capped, but I have no idea if it is for a previous water system/sewer, or oil tank???

The house was built in 1949 and is located in a city with lots of underground oil tanks from that era... This is my concern.

I have had some comments that it looks like the vent of an oil tank, others that it is definitely not an oil tank, but more likely an old plumbing vent, so any more opinions would be greatly appreciated. I haven't seen anything like this before and if possible, I'd like to remove it to improve the function of the utility room.

Thanks for your time,
Cheers!

Chuck

joecaption · 02-14-2013, 05:30 PM

Not sure how anyone here is going to be doing anything but guessing on this one.

DannyT · 02-14-2013, 05:36 PM

looks way too small for a plumbing vent plus it looks like black pipe which isn't used on plumbing. i would guess gas or oil. any idea where it comes from? have you taken the cap off yet? looks like you do have gas to your house. i would at least shut off the gas at the meter before i took the cap off just in case. you never know how people think when they do things.

jaydevries · 02-14-2013, 06:18 PM

not knowing your location or how old the house is. but if you are in an area with a shallow water table and house is pre 80 it could be an old well i have seen this a few times in michigan

md2lgyk · 02-15-2013, 08:31 AM

Do you know if the house ever had hot water heat? Could be a remnant of that.

Bondo · 02-15-2013, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

Not sure how anyone here is going to be doing anything but guessing on this one.

Ayuh,... From the Picture, I'll Guess it's a bicycle seat extension....

Chuck_Wood · 02-20-2013, 02:22 PM

Thanks to everyone for your guesses!
I had a plumber come to the house and inspect it and he said that it was old remnant plumbing that just isn't being used. It was a relief that he assured me it wasn't for an oil tank... But in order to confirm its use, he said he'd want to send a camera down, which we didn't do...